Main content

Witness History Episodes

  1. Today 17:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Restoring the Statue of Liberty

    In 1984, the Statue of Liberty was rejuvenated ahead of her 100th birthday

  2. Tomorrow 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army

  3. Tomorrow 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  4. Tomorrow 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  5. Tomorrow 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  6. Tuesday 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  7. Tuesday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital

  8. Tuesday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  9. Tuesday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  10. Tuesday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  11. Wednesday 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  12. Wednesday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Britain's real ale revolution

    In 1971 the Campaign for Real Ale was set up becoming a hugely influential movement

  13. Wednesday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Britain's real ale revolution

    In 1971 the Campaign for Real Ale was set up becoming a hugely influential movement (R)

  14. Wednesday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Britain's real ale revolution

    In 1971 the Campaign for Real Ale was set up becoming a hugely influential movement (R)

  15. Wednesday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Britain's real ale revolution

    In 1971 the Campaign for Real Ale was set up becoming a hugely influential movement (R)

  16. Thursday 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Britain's real ale revolution

    In 1971 the Campaign for Real Ale was set up becoming a hugely influential movement (R)

  17. Thursday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Mexico's life-saving warning system

    How Mexico created the world's first public earthquake warning system

  18. Thursday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Mexico's life-saving warning system

    How Mexico created the world's first public earthquake warning system (R)

  19. Thursday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Mexico's life-saving warning system

    How Mexico created the world's first public earthquake warning system (R)

  20. Thursday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Mexico's life-saving warning system

    How Mexico created the world's first public earthquake warning system (R)

  21. Friday 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Mexico's life-saving warning system

    How Mexico created the world's first public earthquake warning system (R)

  22. Friday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    George Michael's Outside: The story behind the video

    George Michael turned his 1998 Beverly Hills scandal into the hit video Outside

  23. Friday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    George Michael's Outside: The story behind the video

    George Michael turned his 1998 Beverly Hills scandal into the hit video Outside (R)

  24. Friday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    George Michael's Outside: The story behind the video

    George Michael turned his 1998 Beverly Hills scandal into the hit video Outside (R)

  25. Friday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    George Michael's Outside: The story behind the video

    George Michael turned his 1998 Beverly Hills scandal into the hit video Outside (R)

  26. Next Saturday 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet, Online & Europe and the Middle East only

    George Michael's Outside: The story behind the video

    George Michael turned his 1998 Beverly Hills scandal into the hit video Outside (R)

  27. Next Sunday 08:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Harry Houdini

    1904. A performance in London's West End made Harry Houdini world famous....

  28. Next Sunday 08:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Restoring the Statue of Liberty

    In 1984, the Statue of Liberty was rejuvenated ahead of her 100th birthday

  29. Next Sunday 13:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Harry Houdini

    1904. A performance in London's West End made Harry Houdini world famous....

  30. Next Sunday 17:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Auschwitz: An SS officer’s photo album

    In 2007, an abandoned photo album revealed the chilling normality of life in Auschwitz

  31. Next Sunday 19:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Harry Houdini

    1904. A performance in London's West End made Harry Houdini world famous....

  32. Next Monday 03:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Harry Houdini

    1904. A performance in London's West End made Harry Houdini world famous....

  33. Next Monday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Family's daring steam train escape from East Berlin

    On 5 Dec 1961, driver Harry Deterling ploughed through the East German state iron curtain

  34. Next Monday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Family's daring steam train escape from East Berlin

    On 5 Dec 1961, driver Harry Deterling ploughed through the East German state iron curtain (R)

  35. Next Monday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Family's daring steam train escape from East Berlin

    On 5 Dec 1961, driver Harry Deterling ploughed through the East German state iron curtain (R)

  36. Next Monday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Family's daring steam train escape from East Berlin

    On 5 Dec 1961, driver Harry Deterling ploughed through the East German state iron curtain (R)

  37. Tue 3 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Family's daring steam train escape from East Berlin

    On 5 Dec 1961, driver Harry Deterling ploughed through the East German state iron curtain (R)

  38. Tue 3 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    'I survived Typhoon Haiyan'

    In November 2013, Joanna Sustento was hit by a devastating storm in the Philippines

  39. Tue 3 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    'I survived Typhoon Haiyan'

    In November 2013, Joanna Sustento was hit by a devastating storm in the Philippines (R)

  40. Tue 3 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    'I survived Typhoon Haiyan'

    In November 2013, Joanna Sustento was hit by a devastating storm in the Philippines (R)

  41. Wed 4 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Brazil's Mariana dam disaster

    In 2015, the Fundão dam collapsed near Mariana, causing a major environmental disaster

  42. Wed 4 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Brazil's Mariana dam disaster

    In 2015, the Fundão dam collapsed near Mariana, causing a major environmental disaster (R)

  43. Wed 4 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Brazil's Mariana dam disaster

    In 2015, the Fundão dam collapsed near Mariana, causing a major environmental disaster (R)

  44. Thu 5 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Brazil's Mariana dam disaster

    In 2015, the Fundão dam collapsed near Mariana, causing a major environmental disaster (R)

  45. Thu 5 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    'I'm the father of stencil graffiti'

    In October 1981, Blek le Rat spray painted rats all over Paris

  46. Thu 5 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    'I'm the father of stencil graffiti'

    In October 1981, Blek le Rat spray painted rats all over Paris (R)

  47. Thu 5 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    'I'm the father of stencil graffiti'

    In October 1981, Blek le Rat spray painted rats all over Paris (R)

  48. Thu 5 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    'I'm the father of stencil graffiti'

    In October 1981, Blek le Rat spray painted rats all over Paris (R)

  49. Fri 6 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    'I'm the father of stencil graffiti'

    In October 1981, Blek le Rat spray painted rats all over Paris (R)

  50. Fri 6 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Robert Prevost in Peru: The Pope's 'compadre'

    In 1985, a small town welcomed missionaries unaware one of them would one day become Pope

  51. Fri 6 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Robert Prevost in Peru: The Pope's 'compadre'

    In 1985, a small town welcomed missionaries unaware one of them would one day become Pope (R)

  52. Fri 6 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Robert Prevost in Peru: The Pope's 'compadre'

    In 1985, a small town welcomed missionaries unaware one of them would one day become Pope (R)

  53. Fri 6 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Robert Prevost in Peru: The Pope's 'compadre'

    In 1985, a small town welcomed missionaries unaware one of them would one day become Pope (R)

  54. Sat 7 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    Robert Prevost in Peru: The Pope's 'compadre'

    In 1985, a small town welcomed missionaries unaware one of them would one day become Pope (R)

  55. Sun 8 Nov 2026 08:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Armistice Day 1918

    On November 11th 1918 at 11am, the guns of the First World War finally fell silent.

  56. Sun 8 Nov 2026 08:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Auschwitz: An SS officer’s photo album

    In 2007, an abandoned photo album revealed the chilling normality of life in Auschwitz

  57. Sun 8 Nov 2026 13:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Armistice Day 1918

    On November 11th 1918 at 11am, the guns of the First World War finally fell silent.

  58. Sun 8 Nov 2026 17:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The mission in Peru that shaped a Pope

    In 1985, Father Robert Prevost arrived in Chulucanas for his first missionary assignment

  59. Sun 8 Nov 2026 19:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Armistice Day 1918

    On November 11th 1918 at 11am, the guns of the First World War finally fell silent.

  60. Mon 9 Nov 2026 03:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Armistice Day 1918

    On November 11th 1918 at 11am, the guns of the First World War finally fell silent.

  61. Mon 9 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The first execution by lethal injection in the US

    In 1982, the state of Texas began using a new method to execute prisoners

  62. Mon 9 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The first execution by lethal injection in the US

    In 1982, the state of Texas began using a new method to execute prisoners (R)

  63. Mon 9 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The first execution by lethal injection in the US

    In 1982, the state of Texas began using a new method to execute prisoners (R)

  64. Mon 9 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The first execution by lethal injection in the US

    In 1982, the state of Texas began using a new method to execute prisoners (R)

  65. Tue 10 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The first execution by lethal injection in the US

    In 1982, the state of Texas began using a new method to execute prisoners (R)

  66. Tue 10 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Bangladesh: The first country to impose a plastic bag ban

    On 1 January 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban single use plastic bags

  67. Tue 10 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Bangladesh: The first country to impose a plastic bag ban

    On 1 January 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban single use plastic bags (R)

  68. Tue 10 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Bangladesh: The first country to impose a plastic bag ban

    On 1 January 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban single use plastic bags (R)

  69. Tue 10 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Bangladesh: The first country to impose a plastic bag ban

    On 1 January 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban single use plastic bags (R)

  70. Wed 11 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Bangladesh: The first country to impose a plastic bag ban

    On 1 January 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban single use plastic bags (R)

  71. Wed 11 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

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

  72. Wed 11 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

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

  73. Wed 11 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    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 11 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    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 12 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    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 12 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The founding of Malaysia’s space agency

    In 2002, Malaysia launched an open programme to find the country’s first astronaut

  77. Thu 12 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The founding of Malaysia’s space agency

    In 2002, Malaysia launched an open programme to find the country’s first astronaut (R)

  78. Thu 12 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The founding of Malaysia’s space agency

    In 2002, Malaysia launched an open programme to find the country’s first astronaut (R)

  79. Thu 12 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The founding of Malaysia’s space agency

    In 2002, Malaysia launched an open programme to find the country’s first astronaut (R)

  80. Fri 13 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The founding of Malaysia’s space agency

    In 2002, Malaysia launched an open programme to find the country’s first astronaut (R)

  81. Fri 13 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Denmark’s lost Viking ships

    In 1962, five Viking ships were excavated in a Danish fjord

  82. Fri 13 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Denmark’s lost Viking ships

    In 1962, five Viking ships were excavated in a Danish fjord (R)

  83. Fri 13 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Denmark’s lost Viking ships

    In 1962, five Viking ships were excavated in a Danish fjord (R)

  84. Fri 13 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Denmark’s lost Viking ships

    In 1962, five Viking ships were excavated in a Danish fjord (R)

  85. Sat 14 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    Denmark’s lost Viking ships

    In 1962, five Viking ships were excavated in a Danish fjord (R)

  86. Mon 16 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Great Smog of Delhi

    In November 2016, the Indian government declared an 'emergency situation' due to the smog

  87. Mon 16 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Great Smog of Delhi

    In November 2016, the Indian government declared an 'emergency situation' due to the smog (R)

  88. Mon 16 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The Great Smog of Delhi

    In November 2016, the Indian government declared an 'emergency situation' due to the smog (R)

  89. Mon 16 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The Great Smog of Delhi

    In November 2016, the Indian government declared an 'emergency situation' due to the smog (R)

  90. Tue 17 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The Great Smog of Delhi

    In November 2016, the Indian government declared an 'emergency situation' due to the smog (R)

  91. Tue 17 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    17/11/2026 GMT

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

  92. Tue 17 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    17/11/2026 GMT

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

  93. Tue 17 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    17/11/2026 GMT

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

  94. Tue 17 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    17/11/2026 GMT

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

  95. Wed 18 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    17/11/2026 GMT

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

  96. Wed 18 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The birth of K-Pop: Seo Taiji and Boys TV debut

    In 1992, a young band appeared on a TV talent show and changed Korean pop music forever

  97. Wed 18 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The birth of K-Pop: Seo Taiji and Boys TV debut

    In 1992, a young band appeared on a TV talent show and changed Korean pop music forever (R)

  98. Wed 18 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The birth of K-Pop: Seo Taiji and Boys TV debut

    In 1992, a young band appeared on a TV talent show and changed Korean pop music forever (R)

  99. Wed 18 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The birth of K-Pop: Seo Taiji and Boys TV debut

    In 1992, a young band appeared on a TV talent show and changed Korean pop music forever (R)

  100. Thu 19 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The birth of K-Pop: Seo Taiji and Boys TV debut

    In 1992, a young band appeared on a TV talent show and changed Korean pop music forever (R)