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History of Modern is the eleventh studio album by British synthpop band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD). It is their first since 1996, and also the first to feature the classic 4-piece OMD line-up since 1986's The Pacific Age. The record was released in the UK on 20 September 2010, peaking at #28. It was a considerable hit in Germany, reaching #5 – the group's highest chart placing for an LP in that country. The album was released in the US on Bright Antenna on 28 September 2010.

A free download demo track taken from the album, called "Sister Marie Says", was released on 25 November 2009 and featured backing vocals from British classical crossover soprano Keedie Babb. The first single from the album, "If You Want It", was released on 6 September 2010.

On 2 March 2011 an EP, History of Modern (Part I) was released containing remixes and B-Sides from History of Modern.

"Sister Marie Says" was part-written in 1981 and later recorded during the sessions for 1996's Universal album. It was subsequently dropped from this album and did not get its first public airing until the OMD Event in 2005. The track has been revamped for the new album, produced and mixed by Guy Katsav at his London studio. The second track to be played from the album was "History of Modern pt.2". It was aired on 31 May 2010 on BBC 6 Music; the title of the song was revealed on the show's web page a week before the broadcast.

Many of the songs had been written and demoed by Andy McCluskey prior to OMD's official reformation, announced at a fan gathering in April 2005. Contributions by the remaining members were made in between other commitments. "New Holy Ground" was originally written by McCluskey and Paul Humphreys in 2008 as an extra track for an EP which was later shelved. Humphreys also co-wrote "Green" and "History of Modern (Part II)".

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