Two events which cover "thorny issues", but which should be commemorated next year, and would most certainly not "strain relationships" with "other states involved" in the first world war, are the peace treaty and the Amritsar massacre (Row over extending centenary events to cover British atrocities, 02/04/19). Remembering the details of the Versailles settlement would remind all politicians that treating so-called enemies with fairness and respect is the best way to secure future peace, with the Treaty of Vereeniging which ended the Boer War the example to be used, contrasting the sensible assistance for the South African economy in 1902 with the punishment dished out to Germany.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre commemoration would do much to amend the distorted view of British history, with its tradition of exceptionalism, and remind everyone that a large proportion of the story of our past consists of seizing and looting colonies, the most awful of atrocities, and a reliance on essential colonial aid when the going turned rough! The exaggeration of differences with our neighbours continues to serve us badly!
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