125th anniversary of Humanists UK

New website explores the ethical movement, its people and contribution to UK history

April 30th marked the 125th anniversary of Humanists UK.

In 1896 a small group freethinkers came together for their first meeting. The Union of Ethical Societies (now Humanists UK) joined together existing ethical societies for fellowship and the promotion and practice of morality without reference to theological ideas, emphasising a ‘purely human and natural’ basis for ethics and action.

To mark this milestone, Humanists UK has launched a new Humanist Heritage website that charts the UK’s rich and storied history of the humanist movement.

Hundreds of humanist campaigners, many of them women, have been profoundly under-recognised or simply excised from history. So too, the humanist motivations of many of our national heroes have often been overlooked. Humanist Heritage celebrates activists previously resigned to obscure archives, as well the humanist values of national heroes including figures like Alan Turing, Rosalind Franklin, and NHS founder Nye Bevan.

Explore the rich history and influence of humanism in the UK – learn more at www.heritage.humanists.uk