Imperialism & Resistance: Australia's first wars @ the @AWMemorial. Hear from authors, historians & curators reflecting on the Frontier Wars, the mid-century New Zealand Wars, & colonial commitments to Sudan, China, and the South African (Boer) War. conlog-awm-2026.eventsairsite.com

This is on today - if you're in Canberra, come on down! #histbookchat

Karl James@karljames1945.bsky.social · last mo.

Beginning tomorrow, join us for a new season of monthly author talks at the Australian War Memorial. Roger Noble will be sharing his experiences with the Australian Army & being at the centre of Australia's contribution to the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor. awm.gov.au/events/autho...

Looking forward to presenting at "Imperialism & Resistance: Australia's First Wars" in September at the Australian War Memorial. Register here: www.awm.gov.au/conference

Our mag "WM" issue 3 is a gallery souvenir, telling the histories behind the new galleries in the recently-opened Anzac Hall. You can find out about "WM" at wm.awm.gov.au

Issue 2 of our new mag ("WM") arrived on Friday! Some fantastic work inside. If you want to know more, you could always visit wm.awm.gov.au

A beautiful, if windy, Remembrance Day in Canberra.

#otd in 1914: the first time a ship of the Royal Australian Navy went into battle. HMAS Sydney's success meant the Indian Ocean was clear for British shipping for much of the First World War. www.navy.gov.au/about-navy/h...

Which books shaped you? Always a tough question for historians, because there are so many! wm.awm.gov.au/read/militar...

A state governor to apologise for a frontier massacre carried out by the first governor of that colony. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

'Telling the truth': WA governor to apologise for Pinjarra Massacre

The descendants of people who were murdered in one of Western Australia's most brutal attacks on Aboriginal people — the Pinjarra Massacre — are set to hear an apology from the WA governor.

abc.net.au

#OTD in 1944, HMAS Australia (II) was struck by a Japanese suicide aircraft, killing 30 of the ship's crew including the CO, Captain Emile Dechaineux. Story: seapower.navy.gov.au/ran-battle-l...

I’ve seen two published histories recently refer to the Australian “Infantry” Force. It should be *Imperial*. The error omits soldiers (e.g. artillery), and also downplays just how important the British Empire was in Australia. Cf. the “expeditionary” forces: BEF, CEF, NZEF.

You have 4 hours left to vote on your favourite 21st-C books in ABC Radio National's Top 100 Books: www.abc.net.au/listen/radio...

Radio National's Top 100 Books - ABC Radio National

Radio National's Top 100 Books of the past 25 years is here. Listen on Saturday 19 October and Sunday 20 October as we count down the books you voted as your favourites.

abc.net.au

If you're in Canberra this weekend, I can confirm that Lifeline Bookfair is, once again, awesome! Go there!! www.lifelinecanberra.org.au/books/bookfa...

CLOSING NEXT WEEK - submit your entry by Tuesday 30 September to be in the running for the Ken Inglis Postgraduate Prize. Did you present a paper at the AHA conference in July? Email it to us: ahs-history@unimelb.edu.au See the pinned post for more details.

This paperweight, made of Haematite carved in shape of a grasshopper. But it was hand-carved between 1800-1700 BC in ancient Babylonia (modern-day Iraq). It served as a functional weight and also showcases the artistic skill of Babylonian artisans.  British Museum #archaeohistories

More HMAS Australia (II) posting by me... #OTD 85 years ago, Operation Menace began off the west coast of Africa. www.awm.gov.au/articles/blo...

I've always found this "wine-dark sea" debate fascinating. Couldn't the archaic Greeks see blue? An old article, but probably the best take I've seen on it: www.abc.net.au/listen/radio...

Were the ancient Greeks and Romans colour blind? - ABC Radio National

Homer left historians with the impression that the ancient Greeks and Romans had an underdeveloped appreciation of colour. The ancients, in fact, were a shade more sophisticated than that and understo...

abc.net.au

London museum tells forgotten story of African and Indian troops in second world war National Army Museum’s Beyond Burma exhibition examines stories of soldiers from Britain’s colonies www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

London museum tells forgotten story of African and Indian troops in second world war

National Army Museum’s Beyond Burma exhibition examines stories of soldiers from Britain’s colonies

theguardian.com

#OTD in 1918, the British (incl. Australian) assault on the Hindenburg Line. Pic is from the fighting at Epéhy. Pic: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...

bird poll (Australian) www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Australian bird of the year 2025: nominate your favourite now

We want to hear which Australian birds you think should be shortlisted for the Guardian/Birdlife Australia bird of the year poll next month

theguardian.com

So who else can say that they work with an expert in Second World War-era RAAF aeroplane nose art? I can! wm.awm.gov.au/read/nose-art

I'm honoured to be speaking to @petermcphee.bsky.social on Mon 6 Oct at 1pm AEDT about my book Dangers of Youth: Age, Criminality, and Juvenile Justice Reform in Third Republic France at an online event hosted by the George Rudé Society. Please register here: uni-sydney.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#OTD in 1945, the Battle of Morotai began. HMAS Australia (pictured) and other Australian & US ships bombarded the island for some two hours prior to the landings. HMAS Australia's history is remarkable: seapower.navy.gov.au/history/unit...

Kinda spooked by how much archaeological material is within digging distance under our feet, that I'll never see, and even if I did, I wouldn't be able to interpret...

Reading a wartime love story researched & written by my colleague Alix (...and apparently also cutting up onions...) wm.awm.gov.au/read/colin-s...

Ken Inglis Postgrad Prize CLOSING SOON - 30 Sept. Did you present a paper at the AHA conference? Tidy it up and email it to us at ahs-history@unimelb.edu.au Read the flier for all the T&Cs. You might get published in the journal...good luck!

Fascinating reading about the Imperial Camel Corps, by one of our former Summer Scholars, Hannah Swaine: wm.awm.gov.au/read/rough-r...

Wondering about late-19th-C British army doctrine of cold steel - a seemingly unshakeable belief that, if only the British infantry could get into close combat, the battle would be won. I.e. the Corporal Jones doctrine: "They don't like it up 'em, sir!" There's a cultural study in there somewhere.

I really enjoyed reading Craig L. Symonds' *Nimitz at War* - as you can see from my review of it: researchcentre.army.gov.au/library/aust...

Come and study with us! It'll be fun! Applications are open for the Australian War Memorial Summer Scholars program, to be held in Canberra next Jan-Feb. Apply here: www.awm.gov.au/get-involved...