Stories from the collection

In July 1940 the Arandora Star was torpedoed by a German submarine. More than 800 people were killed, many of them Italian civilians being deported to Canada.

This document records the first time that citizens outside of the elites were invited to join an English parliament – without being asked to support new taxes.

In December 1978, Vietnamese refugees seeking asylum aboard the Huey Fong were refused entry to Hong Kong. Records we hold document the 34-day standoff.

Until 2021, the census did not ask for information about sexuality. One letter in our collection gives a personal perspective on why this data was needed.

This unexpected gem is a document granting land in Ireland to a John Farrell. Attached is the Great Seal of Ireland, indicating approval from King Charles II.

Sophia Jex-Blake (1840–1912) was a physician and campaigner who fought for women’s access to university education.

The largest seaborne assault in history was sure to result in many casualties. But an extraordinary new medicine was on the horizon. Could it be ready by D-Day?

A life of charm, high-stakes, and duplicity saw Elvira Chaudoir play a cunning role in the Allied victory at D-Day.

Did you know that the word ‘camp’ was used by members of the LGBTQ+ community as early as 1868?

Singer and broadcaster Evelyn Dove (1902–1987) achieved a number of firsts including, in 1925, becoming the first woman of African heritage on BBC Radio.

The first Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea was prompted by the sinking of RMS Titanic. Signed in 1914, it established international shipping standards.

This letter details the circumstances of the strange disappearance of famous author Agatha Christie in 1926.