On September 30, 2011, the UK newspaper The Sun launched their new project, Hold Ye Front Page. Historical moments are highlighted in the classic British tabloid style of The Sun. Some of the events described are from moments when there were actual news reports, such as the moon landing, and some are based on scientific speculations, such as the Big Bang. The Sun reports have reliable, impressive sources: The Discovery Channel, the History Channel, British Pathe, and professional contributors.
Highlights of Hold Ye Front Page
Hold Ye Front Page is an educational news adventure. Each page looks like an issue of The Sun newspaper, but even the small details make the newspaper a historian's delight. The "Stormin Normans" Battle of Hastings issue is from Monday, October 16, 1066, and it cost a farthing. It has the familiar Sun play on words as the reporting describes King Harold's being struck in the eye with an arrow as an "arrowing experience."
The touching "Christ: His Life and Death" from Sunday, March 28, 33, cost two bronze coins. The editorial thought is that Pilate erred, and the headline is "Forgive Us Lord." The caption says that a "terrible moment shamed mankind yesterday" and that Jesus' "crime was to preach love and hope." There are complementary videos and links to Bible stories, such as David and Goliath's retelling. "Giant Killer: Diddy David KO's Goliath the great."
Art in Hold Ye Front Page
The gorgeous art accompanying the news stories include classical paintings, artistic renderings, and authentic images and photos, such as the circular vignette of the doomed Titanic Captain Edward Smith above an image of a glowing, celebrating ship caught in a tragic moment. A lifeboat is making an escape as the Titanic begins a tilt into the dark waters of the night. The issue is from April 15, 1912, the price is "1d," and the editorial thought is "God Rest Their Souls."
Similar to The New York Times' project Disunion, which re-imagines first hand accounts from the American Civil war, Hold Ye Front Page gives a view into history as it happened. The Sun: History of the World has many resources available on the Hold Ye Front Page site, which is similar to the Hold Ye Front Page book that was released in 1999 to commemorate the Third Millennium, which The Sun billed as "The Essential Millennium Souvenir." Hold Ye Front Page is an educational site that is fun for anyone interested in history and science.
Alex Sharp - Alex Sharp is a teacher who has been keeping Suite101 readers up to date with the latest in audio- and e-book gadgetry since 2008.
