Christmas Eve traditions in 19th century Pennsylvania included shopping, merry-making, and a visit from ‘Bellschniggle,’ Christkindle or St. Nicholas.| Shannon Selin
A selection of newspaper extracts to give you the flavour of an early 19th century Christmas, including some puzzles to amuse you during the holidays.| Shannon Selin
While Napoleon did nothing special for his first Christmas in exile on St. Helena in 1815, the British cheered themselves with a recipe for Bonypart pie.| Shannon Selin
British parents and teachers used Napoleon Bonaparte as a threat to scare children into good behaviour during the Napoleonic Wars.| Shannon Selin
Glimpses of Christmas celebrations in early 19th-century Mexico| Shannon Selin
Celebrating Christmas in Vienna in 1836| Shannon Selin
Christmas gift ideas in the 19th century ranged from "a well-chosen book" to "elegant preparations for the toilet" to bread, bullocks, and coal.| Shannon Selin
Charades, which began in France as a type of riddle, became a popular 19th-century parlour game. Sit in on a game played by the Duke of Wellington in 1821.| Shannon Selin
Napoleon was not a gourmand. He liked simple meals, he ate very quickly, and he diluted his wine with water.| Shannon Selin
What if Napoleon Bonaparte had escaped from St. Helena and wound up in the United States in 1821?| Shannon Selin
René Savary, the Duke of Rovigo, has the reputation of being one of Napoleon’s most bloodthirsty aides.| Shannon Selin
How difficult would it have been for Napoleon Bonaparte to escape from exile on St. Helena?| Shannon Selin