Knowing the story of Birmingham will hopefully help you enjoy the city more. In this section we will dive into the past, including Birmingham's origins as a major manufacturer, and look at the people of Birmingham who made the city famous. More articles coming soon.
You can also delve into the past in our Birmingham Old Postcards from the Past section.
Birmingham as a settlement dates from the Anglo-Saxon era. The home (ham) of the tribe (ing) of a leader called Birm or Beorma. Geography played a major role in the transformation of Birmingham from a medium-sized market town into Britain's centre of manufacturing in the 20th century.
Birmingham is the birth place of or home to some well known writers, sport stars, musicians, politicians and artists. We list a few of the most notable here. If you have the time, we urge you to read a little more about each one on the internet.
'Miraculous' Birmingham double-decker bus restoration team pick up award - BBC News (26 Nov 2022) 
Birmingham: Black Sabbath pub The Crown returns as music venue - BBC News (21 Oct 2022)
Mystery of missing Birmingham glacial boulders - BBC News (19 Oct 2022)
Commonwealth Games: 'You could feel the excitement', says bus driver - BBC News (11 Aug 2022)
Commonwealth Games: 'Birmingham feels like the city for the future' - BBC News (10 Aug 2022)
Commonwealth Games: Birmingham's hosting 'exceeded expectations' - BBC News (9 Aug 2022)
Commonwealth Games: Bright colours transform Birmingham landmarks - BBC News (25 Jul 2022)
Birmingham city centre redevelopment proposals on show - BBC News (1 Jul 2022)
Spaghetti junction at 50: How BBC Midlands Today reported the opening - BBC News (23 May 2022)
Risk to Birmingham 'very low' as coronavirus confirmed - BBC News (5 Mar 2020)
Sadness as Birmingham's Irish Centre closes after 50 years - BBC News (3 Dec 2019)
History of Birmingham's Que Club retold in heritage project - BBC News (18 May 2019)
Birmingham pub bombings: Who were the victims? - BBC News (5 Apr 2019)
Birmingham pub bombings: Survivors and their stories - BBC News (5 Apr 2019)
Listed status for airport terminal in Birmingham - BBC News (22 Aug 2018)
Birmingham pub bombings victims given posthumous Freedom of the City - BBC News (20 Nov 2017)
Charity steps in to save Birmingham's post-WW2 prefabs - BBC News (1 Sep 2017)
Spaghetti Junction picture mystery solved as workers identified - BBC News (17 Mar 2017)
Birmingham's locked up and abandoned Jewish cemetery - BBC News (15 Oct 2016)
Trying to find the people who lived in Birmingham slums - BBC News (8 Sep 2016)
