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Witness History Episodes

  1. Today 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa
    On air

    The protests that sparked the Tiananmen Square massacre

    How mass student demonstrations in May 1989 led to bloodshed in Beijing (R)

  2. Today 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The creation of Inspector Montalbano

    In March 1994, the first Inspector Montalbano mystery, The Shape of Water, was published

  3. Today 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The creation of Inspector Montalbano

    In March 1994, the first Inspector Montalbano mystery, The Shape of Water, was published (R)

  4. Today 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The creation of Inspector Montalbano

    In March 1994, the first Inspector Montalbano mystery, The Shape of Water, was published (R)

  5. Today 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The creation of Inspector Montalbano

    In March 1994, the first Inspector Montalbano mystery, The Shape of Water, was published (R)

  6. Tomorrow 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only & Live News

    The creation of Inspector Montalbano

    In March 1994, the first Inspector Montalbano mystery, The Shape of Water, was published (R)

  7. Sunday 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The creation of My Little Pony

    In 1983, American toymaker Bonnie Zacherle's pony design hit the market.

  8. Sunday 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Anthony Bourdain's 'Don't Eat Before Reading This'

    In April 1999, Anthony Bourdain's essay Don't Eat Before Reading This was published

  9. Monday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Nelson Mandela's incarceration at Robben Island

    In 1964, Nelson Mandela was put in the maximum security prison on Robben Island

  10. Monday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Nelson Mandela's incarceration at Robben Island

    In 1964, Nelson Mandela was put in the maximum security prison on Robben Island (R)

  11. Monday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Nelson Mandela's incarceration at Robben Island

    In 1964, Nelson Mandela was put in the maximum security prison on Robben Island (R)

  12. Monday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Nelson Mandela's incarceration at Robben Island

    In 1964, Nelson Mandela was put in the maximum security prison on Robben Island (R)

  13. Tuesday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Nelson Mandela's incarceration at Robben Island

    In 1964, Nelson Mandela was put in the maximum security prison on Robben Island (R)

  14. Tuesday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Mstislav Rostropovich: Virtuoso cellist

    In 1978, Rostropovich lost Soviet citizenship for “unpatriotic activity”

  15. Tuesday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Mstislav Rostropovich: Virtuoso cellist

    In 1978, Rostropovich lost Soviet citizenship for “unpatriotic activity” (R)

  16. Tuesday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Mstislav Rostropovich: Virtuoso cellist

    In 1978, Rostropovich lost Soviet citizenship for “unpatriotic activity” (R)

  17. Tuesday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Mstislav Rostropovich: Virtuoso cellist

    In 1978, Rostropovich lost Soviet citizenship for “unpatriotic activity” (R)

  18. Wednesday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Mstislav Rostropovich: Virtuoso cellist

    In 1978, Rostropovich lost Soviet citizenship for “unpatriotic activity” (R)

  19. Wednesday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Picasso and the Surrealist summer

    In 1937 some of the 20th Century's best known Surrealist artists are on holiday in France

  20. Wednesday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Picasso and the Surrealist summer

    In 1937 some of the 20th Century's best known Surrealist artists are on holiday in France (R)

  21. Wednesday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Picasso and the Surrealist summer

    In 1937 some of the 20th Century's best known Surrealist artists are on holiday in France (R)

  22. Wednesday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Picasso and the Surrealist summer

    In 1937 some of the 20th Century's best known Surrealist artists are on holiday in France (R)

  23. Next Thursday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Picasso and the Surrealist summer

    In 1937 some of the 20th Century's best known Surrealist artists are on holiday in France (R)

  24. Next Thursday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The inspiration for Chekhov's Three Sisters

    In 1897, Paul Shishkoff lived next door to the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.

  25. Next Thursday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The inspiration for Chekhov's Three Sisters

    In 1897, Paul Shishkoff lived next door to the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. (R)

  26. Next Thursday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The inspiration for Chekhov's Three Sisters

    In 1897, Paul Shishkoff lived next door to the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. (R)

  27. Next Thursday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

    The inspiration for Chekhov's Three Sisters

    In 1897, Paul Shishkoff lived next door to the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. (R)

  28. Next Friday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The inspiration for Chekhov's Three Sisters

    In 1897, Paul Shishkoff lived next door to the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. (R)

  29. Next Friday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Hussein of Jordan: The survivor king

    In 1970 King Hussein of Jordan escaped unharmed after gunmen opened fire on his motorcade

  30. Next Friday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Hussein of Jordan: The survivor king

    In 1970 King Hussein of Jordan escaped unharmed after gunmen opened fire on his motorcade (R)

  31. Next Friday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Hussein of Jordan: The survivor king

    In 1970 King Hussein of Jordan escaped unharmed after gunmen opened fire on his motorcade (R)

  32. Next Friday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Hussein of Jordan: The survivor king

    In 1970 King Hussein of Jordan escaped unharmed after gunmen opened fire on his motorcade (R)

  33. Next Saturday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet, Online & Europe and the Middle East only

    Hussein of Jordan: The survivor king

    In 1970 King Hussein of Jordan escaped unharmed after gunmen opened fire on his motorcade (R)

  34. Sun 14 Jun 2026 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Anthony Bourdain's 'Don't Eat Before Reading This'

    In April 1999, Anthony Bourdain's essay Don't Eat Before Reading This was published

  35. Mon 15 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Georgian exodus from Abkhazia

    In 1993, separatist forces took Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia

  36. Mon 15 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Georgian exodus from Abkhazia

    In 1993, separatist forces took Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia (R)

  37. Mon 15 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The Georgian exodus from Abkhazia

    In 1993, separatist forces took Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia (R)

  38. Mon 15 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The Georgian exodus from Abkhazia

    In 1993, separatist forces took Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia (R)

  39. Tue 16 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The Georgian exodus from Abkhazia

    In 1993, separatist forces took Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia (R)

  40. Tue 16 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    50 years since the Soweto Uprising

    A former schoolgirl remembers the demonstration that sparked the Soweto Uprising in 1976

  41. Tue 16 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    50 years since the Soweto Uprising

    A former schoolgirl remembers the demonstration that sparked the Soweto Uprising in 1976 (R)

  42. Tue 16 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    50 years since the Soweto Uprising

    A former schoolgirl remembers the demonstration that sparked the Soweto Uprising in 1976 (R)

  43. Tue 16 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    50 years since the Soweto Uprising

    A former schoolgirl remembers the demonstration that sparked the Soweto Uprising in 1976 (R)

  44. Wed 17 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    50 years since the Soweto Uprising

    A former schoolgirl remembers the demonstration that sparked the Soweto Uprising in 1976 (R)

  45. Wed 17 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Women Walk Home: Cyprus' forgotten peace march

    In June 1987, hundreds of women took part in a peace march against the division of Cyprus

  46. Wed 17 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Women Walk Home: Cyprus' forgotten peace march

    In June 1987, hundreds of women took part in a peace march against the division of Cyprus (R)

  47. Wed 17 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Women Walk Home: Cyprus' forgotten peace march

    In June 1987, hundreds of women took part in a peace march against the division of Cyprus (R)

  48. Wed 17 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Women Walk Home: Cyprus' forgotten peace march

    In June 1987, hundreds of women took part in a peace march against the division of Cyprus (R)

  49. Thu 18 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Women Walk Home: Cyprus' forgotten peace march

    In June 1987, hundreds of women took part in a peace march against the division of Cyprus (R)

  50. Thu 18 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The discovery of Mungo Man

    On 26 February 1974, Dr Jim Bowler discovered a 42,000-year old skeleton in Australia

  51. Thu 18 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The discovery of Mungo Man

    On 26 February 1974, Dr Jim Bowler discovered a 42,000-year old skeleton in Australia (R)

  52. Thu 18 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The discovery of Mungo Man

    On 26 February 1974, Dr Jim Bowler discovered a 42,000-year old skeleton in Australia (R)

  53. Thu 18 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The discovery of Mungo Man

    On 26 February 1974, Dr Jim Bowler discovered a 42,000-year old skeleton in Australia (R)

  54. Fri 19 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The discovery of Mungo Man

    On 26 February 1974, Dr Jim Bowler discovered a 42,000-year old skeleton in Australia (R)

  55. Fri 19 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The discovery of Lyme disease

    In 1975, a medical breakthrough led to the identification and naming of Lyme disease

  56. Fri 19 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The discovery of Lyme disease

    In 1975, a medical breakthrough led to the identification and naming of Lyme disease (R)

  57. Fri 19 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The discovery of Lyme disease

    In 1975, a medical breakthrough led to the identification and naming of Lyme disease (R)

  58. Fri 19 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The discovery of Lyme disease

    In 1975, a medical breakthrough led to the identification and naming of Lyme disease (R)

  59. Sat 20 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet, Online & Europe and the Middle East only

    The discovery of Lyme disease

    In 1975, a medical breakthrough led to the identification and naming of Lyme disease (R)

  60. Sun 21 Jun 2026 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The fossil that revealed the first dinosaur feathers

    In 1996, a fossil in China showed the first real hint that some dinosaurs had feathers

  61. Mon 22 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  62. Mon 22 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  63. Mon 22 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  64. Mon 22 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  65. Tue 23 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  66. Tue 23 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  67. Tue 23 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  68. Tue 23 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  69. Tue 23 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  70. Wed 24 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  71. Wed 24 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  72. Wed 24 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  73. Wed 24 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  74. Wed 24 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  75. Thu 25 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  76. Thu 25 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    WW1: The Battle of the Somme

    BBC Archive recordings with veterans of the 1916 battle

  77. Thu 25 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    WW1: The Battle of the Somme

    BBC Archive recordings with veterans of the 1916 battle (R)

  78. Thu 25 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    WW1: The Battle of the Somme

    BBC Archive recordings with veterans of the 1916 battle (R)

  79. Thu 25 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    WW1: The Battle of the Somme

    BBC Archive recordings with veterans of the 1916 battle (R)

  80. Fri 26 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    WW1: The Battle of the Somme

    BBC Archive recordings with veterans of the 1916 battle (R)

  81. Fri 26 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    26/06/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  82. Fri 26 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    26/06/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  83. Fri 26 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    26/06/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  84. Fri 26 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    26/06/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  85. Sat 27 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    26/06/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  86. Mon 29 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Hawaii becomes the 50th American state

    In March 1959, the Hawaiian Admission Act was passed

  87. Mon 29 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Hawaii becomes the 50th American state

    In March 1959, the Hawaiian Admission Act was passed (R)

  88. Mon 29 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Hawaii becomes the 50th American state

    In March 1959, the Hawaiian Admission Act was passed (R)

  89. Mon 29 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Hawaii becomes the 50th American state

    In March 1959, the Hawaiian Admission Act was passed (R)

  90. Tue 30 Jun 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Hawaii becomes the 50th American state

    In March 1959, the Hawaiian Admission Act was passed (R)

  91. Tue 30 Jun 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The final journey of Chief Long Wolf

    In 1997, the remains of a Lakota leader were returned from London to South Dakota

  92. Tue 30 Jun 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The final journey of Chief Long Wolf

    In 1997, the remains of a Lakota leader were returned from London to South Dakota (R)

  93. Tue 30 Jun 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The final journey of Chief Long Wolf

    In 1997, the remains of a Lakota leader were returned from London to South Dakota (R)

  94. Tue 30 Jun 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The final journey of Chief Long Wolf

    In 1997, the remains of a Lakota leader were returned from London to South Dakota (R)

  95. Wed 1 Jul 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The final journey of Chief Long Wolf

    In 1997, the remains of a Lakota leader were returned from London to South Dakota (R)

  96. Wed 1 Jul 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    01/07/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  97. Wed 1 Jul 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    01/07/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  98. Wed 1 Jul 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    01/07/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  99. Wed 1 Jul 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    01/07/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  100. Thu 2 Jul 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    01/07/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)