Victoria’s lengthy reign and complex legacy left such a lasting mark on Britain and the world that the era still bears her name.

Philosophy, drama, science, and mathematics all sprung from this humble peninsula in the Mediterranean.

The Second World War plunged nearly every part of the globe into a violent clash that altered the course of history.

The Beatles’ popularity paved the way for many of Britain’s hottest acts to follow, from the Rolling Stones to the Who, ushering in a new musical era dominated by British performers.

The four U.S. Presidents carved into Mount Rushmore were chosen by sculptor Gutzon Borglum to represent major milestones and ideals in American history.

Here are six facts that offer a glimpse of what it was like to be an average citizen in one of the world’s most influential empires.