Category Archives: European Union

Revisiting the Costa Concordia Disaster

Posted on July 20, 2013 by briansandberg

The cruise liner Costa Concordia wrecked into the isola di Giglio, off the coast of Tuscany, on 13 January 2012. The ship then heeled over and partially capsized while its roughly 4,000 passengers were evacuating the ship. Thirty-two people died … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental History, European Union, Italian History, Maritime History, Mediterranean World | Leave a comment

Feminism, Politics, and Nudity in France

Posted on July 19, 2013 by briansandberg

Nude protests by women in Femen and marches by Muslim women who want to wear a veil in public have both created sustained controversy on feminism in French society and politics. An essay by Mona Chollet entitled, “Femen partou, féminisme … Continue reading →

Posted in European Union, French History, Human Rights, Paris History, Political Culture, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

French Cuisine and Frozen Food

Posted on July 10, 2013 by briansandberg

French haute cuisine restauranteurs are upset by revelations that many other restaurants are using frozen ingredients and even serving entire factory-frozen dishes. The Washington Post reports that “a chunk of tuna cooked Provencal style with an attractive ratatouille on the … Continue reading →

Posted in European Union, Food and Cuisine History, French History, Paris History | Leave a comment

Berlusconi Found Guilty

Posted on June 24, 2013 by briansandberg

Italian ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi has been found guilty of engaging in sex with an underage prostitute and of abuse of power. If the “Rubygate” conviction is upheld, Berlusconi would serve 7 years in prison and be banned from holding public … Continue reading →

Posted in European Union, Italian History, Political Culture | Leave a comment

French Presidential Palace Auctions Wines

Posted on June 1, 2013 by briansandberg

The Palais de l’Élysée, official residence of the Président de la République in France, auctioned off approximately 10 percent of its wine cellar this week. This is reportedly the first such sale by the Élysée, intended to raise money to … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, Food and Cuisine History, French History, Paris History | 1 Comment

Knife Attack on French Soldier

Posted on May 29, 2013 by briansandberg

A young man assaulted a French soldier with a knife today that may have been partially patterned on the recent attack on a British soldier in Woolwich. The soldier survived the attack and his attacker has been arrested. Witnesses alleged … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, French History, History of Violence, Paris History, Terrorism | Leave a comment

Anti-Muslim Attacks in the United Kingdom

Posted on May 29, 2013 by briansandberg

Last week, two Islamist militants brutally murdered a British soldier, Drummer Lee Rigby, in Woolwich, running over him with a car and then stabbing and hacking him to death. The shocking murder has prompted outrage in the United Kingdom and … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, History of Violence, Human Rights, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, Terrorism | Leave a comment

Religious Politics and Protest in France

Posted on May 27, 2013 by briansandberg

Religious political groups have mobilized against France’s new gay marriage law, organizing a massive protest in Paris yesterday, Sunday 26 May. An estimated 150,000 protesters participated in “La Manif pour tous” (the protest for everyone). This phrase is a counterattack … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, French History, Human Rights, Religious History, Religious Politics | Leave a comment

Global Tourism and Graffiti

Posted on May 26, 2013 by briansandberg

Global tourism is putting increasing pressure on historical sites and monuments, as growing numbers of tourists visit major cultural tourist locations around the world. High standards of living, lengthy vacations, and relatively affordable flights have allowed many Western Europeans, Canadians, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art History, Early Modern Europe, Early Modern World, European History, European Union, Globalization, Mediterranean World, Museums and Historical Memory | Leave a comment

Gender Studies Under Fire in France

Posted on May 25, 2013 by briansandberg

The academic field of gender studies is under attack in France. The debate over gay marriage has prompted many French conservative politicians and Catholics to severely criticize gender studies for undermining family relations and traditional society. Conservative political and religious … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Freedom, Education Policy, European History, European Union, French History, Humanities Education, Political Culture, Religious Politics, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment