I need no excuse to seek out an opportunity to learn something new, and topics of historical relevance always provide an opportunity to learn about many aspects of our world. Some topics are more relevant to our current world, such as the sanitary developments of Victorian times, or the cultural Shockwaves of the Opium Wars. Others are just interesting to read about, such as the internal politics of the Holy Roman Empire. Any topic in history, no matter how obscure I am always happy to discuss. I don't currently have a dedicated community where I discuss these topics, if you know of one, feel free to send it my way.
Below is a non-exaustive list of fun aspects of history that I am particularly fond of:
Elective Monarch of Poland
The entire story of Poland is a fascinating one, it ends in the tragedies of its 18th century partitions by its power hungry neighbors, as well as its valiant stand against fascism in World War 2 (including crucial codebreaking efforts on the enigma machines). But my favorite part of its history is the era of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (and preceding century during the commonwealths rise to prominence).
During this time, in addition to controlling large stretches of eastern Europe, the PLC maintained a very unique form of government. Which included elections for the position of king. With the interesting effect that influential people from outside the Commonwealth would sometimes end up in the highest position of the state (e.g. my namesake Augustus II the Strong, somewhat ironically named as his most notable moment is his many defeats in battle against the Kingdom of Sweden). Though think not of these as modern democratic elections, as only the upper echelons of the nobility were allowed votes. I find this nonetheless to be a fascinating insight into the functions of government in the middle ages.
Irish Revolutionary Movement
A period of history very relevant to my personal life, having grown up in Ireland. It is also broadly relevant as a piece of the still-relevant tales of decolonization (which is not as far removed from our current times as is easy to assume, with some colonies having earned independence not more than 50 years ago).
The tale of Irish independent is also a great case study in how the failure to grant reasonable concessions can spiral into a situation that is detrimental for all involved. As repeated attempts by Irish politicians to secure Home Rule were ignored and thwarted by British lawmakers, which lead to the famously bloody and devastating Irish War of Independence.
This period also highlights the sometimes tragic nature of change, from the violence between brothers generated by the Irish Civil war. Where after securing their independence, the forces of the revolution split over the implementation of their new freedoms and the pragmatic concessions made by parts of the revolutionary movement.
Jonathan Wilde
A historical tale that could be easily confused for a book of fiction, in large part because the events were so evocative that they inspired much literature. At its heart the tale is of corruption, how systems can be so completely twisted by greedy individuals that they support the very opposite of founding purpose.
The system to be corrupted this time was that of Thief Takers, an early attempt at a justice enforcement system in 17th century London. In origin Thief Takers were private individuals that would be rewarded for apprehending criminals by the crown. Wilde became the most famous Thief Taker, almost entirely eliminating crime... Or so the newspapers reported.In reality, Wilde oversaw the largest criminal enterprise London had seen, conveniently recovering the watches that his own thieves had stolen for a "finders fee", and capturing only the criminals that didn't submit to his protection racket. All ran with a maximum of ruthlessness for anyone that got in his way, including brutal smear campaigns of would-be competitors.
His eventual downfall could not be more poetic either, at the height of his power, and thinking himself untouchable, Wilde became obsessed with bringing the hammer down on a charismatic thief by the name of Jack Sheppard. Jack was a rebellious youth and wanted nothing to do with Wilde's protection racket, which got Wilde agents sent after him constantly. But his talents for escaping prison kept him from the noose for a long time, during which Wilde's frustration and the public's love for Jack both increased in extraordinary measure. In the end Wilde was so desperate to destroy Jack and anyone related to him that he intervened at the trial of Blueskin, Jack's partner in crime, to ensure the death sentence, but in repayment Blueskin slashed Wilde's throat, leaving him hospitalized and unable to control his criminal empire.