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B AT T L E O F T R A FA L G A R

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B A C KG R O U N D

“England expects that every man will do his duty.” That was the UKIPCN UGPV D[ *QTCVKQ 0GNUQP CU VJG $TKVKUJ GGV RTGRCTGF VQ OGGV KVU (TGPEJ CPF 5RCPKUJ HQGU Q VJG EQCUV QH 5RCKP KP 1EVQDGT 6JQWIJ JG FKFPoV NKXG VQ UGG VJG PCN QWVEQOG 0GNUQP YQWNF surely have felt that his sailors did indeed do their duty at the Battle of Trafalgar. It was a decisive victory that remains a landmark in British history more than 200 years later. But, though the Royal Navy’s triumph YCU ENGCT JQY OWEJ FKF 6TCHCNICT TGCNN[ C GEV VJG wider war against Napoleon? In this month’s cover feature, on page 40, Sam Willis Q GTU C RTQXQECVKXG PGY VCMG QP QPG QH VJG 4Q[CN 0CX[oU PGUV JQWTU

Another key moment – this time in global history – that we’re marking this month is the moon landing, as we reach the 50th anniversary of perhaps the most famous event of the 20th century. On page 22, Kendrick Oliver reveals how the US managed to defeat the Soviets in the race to the moon, while on page 30 Alwyn Turner surveys the state of the planet that Neil Armstrong and co had left behind – albeit temporarily – in 1969.

Elsewhere in this month’s edition we’re reaching far and wide into the past, with articles on topics ranging from cross-dressers in the Civil War, to the medieval Hanseatic League, to mixed-race children born after the Second World War, and a new appraisal of one of Europe’s greatest leaders: Charlemagne. I hope you enjoy the issue.

Rob Attar Editor

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS

Janet Nelson It was far from being a foregone conclusion how Charlemagne’s dynasty would work out. There were all kinds of tensions and unforeseen events, which meant that it was anything but plain sailing. Janet discusses her new book on Charlemagne, on page 70

Kendrick Oliver It is important to remember the complex roots of the space race – and to recognise that not every American agreed that lunar landings were a national priority. Kendrick traces the 25-year UETCODNG VQ DG TUV VQ VJG moon, on page 22

Lucy Bland Through various means, including radio talks, + OCPCIGF VQ PF OCP[ mixed-race GI war ‘babies’, now in their 70s. I interviewed them around the country, from south Wales to Scotland. Lucy tells the story of babies born to black American GIs in wartime Britain, on page 62

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