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In 1917, Harry Lamin of Ilkeston, Great Britain, headed to army training camp and was soon shipped off to France to fight in World War I. Unlike today's wars, where the military may have the immediacy of email or cell phones, the only way soldiers then could communicate with their loved ones was through slow, inconsistent postal mail. Harry wrote letters to his wife Ethel, his sister Kate, and his brother Jack. His grandson recently discovered the wartime dispatches and started transcribing them on the same dates they were written, but 90 years later. Private Lamin is none too thrilled to meet action, and clearly misses his baby son. But he survives the massive Battle of Messines Ridge, of which General Plumer predicts: "Gentlemen, we may not make history tomorrow, but we shall certainly change the geography." This blog, like war, marches on, so check back to see how Harry fares in the rest of his journey. Along with his family, we eagerly await his return home.

Sometimes better known as William of Orange, King William III of England reigned from 1689 to 1702. The era lacked tabloids to track and report on the king's every move (those were hard times), but that hasn't stopped the BBC from presenting its own stylish and irreverent version. Did Billy marry his cousin? Was he left tragically alone as a boy? Delve in to the true-life stories of this celebrity monarch! His time as a valiant soldier, his Peace Treaty with Europe, and his green thumb are all documented here. Once again, the BBC demonstrates that even a man described as "short, asthmatic, stooped bad teeth and beaked nose" deserves the royal treatment every now and again.

Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to an iconic symbol of London. The last Routemaster double-decker bus retires today from its long years of service to the city. The red buses, which allowed passengers and mischievious boys hop on/hop off privileges, may be gone, but they will never be forgotten. Through a selection of lovingly detailed photographs, this site celebrates the classic Routemaster. The drivers, the conductors, and the public who ride all appear in this tribute to the much-loved mode of transportation. Though the vehicle's retirement may be controversial (81% of Londoners wanted them to stay), sites like this will help keep our memories alive of the red Routemaster, that shining star of London tourist postcards and photos.