WITNESS TO TERROR

Visiting Auschwitz today as a is a profound experience. How brave is a man to swap places with an Auschwitz inmate so that he could find out for himself what was going on in the Nazi death camp and tell the world. Denis Avey is just such a man. While a prisoner of war in Poland he arranged to swap clothes with a Jewish prisoner and stayed in the camp on two nights. He saw for himself the "hell on earth" that was Auschwitz and the cigarettes he smuggled in saved at least one life. Hear his amazing story on the BBC iplayer.

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN

Now the autumn leaves are falling and days are getting shorter students' minds turn to thoughts of January modules and revision. Or rather they don't - but their teachers' do. Don't forget there are some useful web resources to help your revsion such as the excellent Spark Notes for factual information; web pages from the TV such as Channel 4 History which has a section on Woodrow Wilson for example; and the ever popular US history quiz page. And failing all that you could come to Ms Cooper's history revision sessions or even read a book! And don't forget the exam board web site! Remember a little revision each week will make the job so much easier. And the better grades you get this year the less pressure next year.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Armistice Day was the day created to commemorate those who died or fell wounded during the 'war to end all wars', the First World War. Today we call it Remembrance Day: we remember not only those who died in the First World War but during the minute's silence at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, we think of all who have sacrificed for our country. We especially rememember this week our men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

DIE BERLINER MAUER

Today people all over Germany and the world are commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall, called by John Gaddis 'a moral outrage', which divided the city of Berlin in two for forty years, symbolised perhaps more than anything the division between the Superpowers during the Cold War. Talk to your parents and teachers and older relatives. Ask them how they felt when they watched the Wall come down.

GRAPES OF WRATH

John Steinbeck's 1939 classic about the Joad family's trials during the Great Depression is currently showing as a play in Leeds. Join the history trip or go along yourself to bring to life one of the topics you will be doing this term.

HISTORY IN THE NEWS AGAIN

The Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the year award went yesterday to a history book. Liaquat Ahamed won the £30,000 prize for his book Lords of Finance about the Wall Street Crash; a book extremley relevant to today's economic woes. Yet more proof, if it were needed, that any issue can be made more relevant and interesting with an historical perspective.

REMEMBER, REMEMBER

November is, of course, the month of toffee, bonfires and fireworks (and Ms Cooper's birthday!) But how much do you know about Guy Fawkes? There are lots of books you could look at as well as web sites. Given the MPs expenses scandal is it about time for another Guy Fawkes. If you want to see an alternative interpretation, take a look at the movie, V for Vendetta.