Witness History Podcast
History told by the people who were there. For nine minutes every weekday, Witness History takes you back to moments which have shaped our world.
Witness History is a short BBC World Service podcast about history that takes you inside big moments from the past through first-hand testimony and archive. Each weekday, in around nine minutes, we revisit one moment that helped shape the world and hear it through the voice of someone who was there. Scientists, artists, campaigners, soldiers, leaders and everyday people tell their true stories.
When you subscribe to Witness History, you’ll be taken inside turning points in world affairs, from West Africa’s fight back against Boko Haram in 2015, to the behind-closed-doors talks that led to the US-Cuba “thaw” and the surprise announcement of restored relations.
You’ll discover what it was like to experience disasters and how people recovered from them, including the Tabasco floods in Mexico, Portugal's worst train disaster, and the huge clean-up after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
You’ll explore culture and ideas too: Sweden’s Expedition Robinson, often credited as the first modern reality TV game show; the friendship between The Beatles’ George Harrison and Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar; and the night a tiger attack brought Las Vegas superstars Siegfried and Roy’s show to a sudden end.
And if you’re curious about inventions, we’ll tell you how air fryers, BlackBerry, YouTube, Alexa, GPS, superglue, the shopping cart (shopping trolley) and bubble tea were created.
If you’re new to Witness History, the appeal is simple: real voices, one strong true story, and a fresh way to understand today through events from history – all in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of tea or a walk around the block. Join millions of BBC World Service podcast listeners around the globe and enjoy the insight, context and detail Witness History will bring you.
Episodes to download
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The South Asia nuclear standoff
Thu 17 May 2012
In May 1998 a nuclear arms race began in South Asia.
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The execution of Anne Boleyn
Wed 16 May 2012
In May 1536 the Queen of England was executed on the orders of her husband Henry VIII.
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The Anschluss
Tue 15 May 2012
In March 1938 Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany - one Vienna resident remembers.
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Michael Apted and the 7 Up TV series
Mon 14 May 2012
In 1964, a TV documentary series introduced a group of seven-year-olds to British viewers
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The assassination of a Prime Minister
Fri 11 May 2012
On May 11th 1812, the British Prime Minister, Spencer Perceval, was killed.
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Paris 1968
Thu 10 May 2012
How student protests and workers' strikes threatened to bring down France's government.
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The Psychiatrist and Rudolf Hess
Wed 9 May 2012
How a British psychiatrist examined the deputy Nazi leader after his flight to Scotland.
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Attack on Fela Kuti
Tue 8 May 2012
The Nigerian military stormed the musician's compound in Lagos, Kalakuta Republic
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The trial of Charles Manson
Mon 7 May 2012
He was responsible for a series of gruesome murders in the Hollywood hills.
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The General Strike
Fri 4 May 2012
In May 1926 workers across Britain went on strike in support of coal miners.
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Suicide of gay footballer
Thu 3 May 2012
Justin Fashanu, Britain's first openly gay footballer, killed himself in May 1998.
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The Los Angeles Riots
Wed 2 May 2012
The people of South Central Los Angeles took to the streets in fury at police brutality
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The capture of President Izetbegovic
Tue 1 May 2012
In May 1992 the Bosnian president was taken captive by Serb soldiers.
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The right to die
Mon 30 Apr 2012
In 2002 a paralysed woman, known as Miss B, was allowed to die in a London hospital.
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Mass Trespass
Fri 27 Apr 2012
How walkers stormed an English peak in 1932 and started a fight for countryside access.
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Studio 54
Thu 26 Apr 2012
It is 35 years since the legendary New York night club opened its doors to cool people.
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Gallipoli
Wed 25 Apr 2012
One New Zealand soldier's account of surviving the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915
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75 years since Guernica
Tue 24 Apr 2012
In April 1937 the Basque town of Guernica was firebombed during the Spanish Civil War.
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The trial of Oscar Wilde
Mon 23 Apr 2012
How a court case ruined the 19th century playwright and wit.
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Rivers of Blood speech
Fri 20 Apr 2012
In April 1968 a politician put race and immigration at the centre of British politics.
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Twenty-five years of the Simpsons
Thu 19 Apr 2012
One of the most successful TV series ever was created by cartoonist Matt Groening.
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Auschwitz Convoy Escape
Wed 18 Apr 2012
How a group of Jews escaped from a train bound for the Auschwitz death camp in 1943.
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Japanese embassy hostage crisis
Tue 17 Apr 2012
In 1997, left-wing rebels held 71 people hostage for over four months in Peru.
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Dissidents Declared Insane
Mon 16 Apr 2012
How dissidents in the USSR were routinely declared insane and kept in mental institutions.
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The sinking of the Titanic
Fri 13 Apr 2012
It is 100 years since the great ocean liner sank on its maiden voyage.
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Pulitzer Prize scandal
Thu 12 Apr 2012
In 1981 a Pulitzer Prize was awarded to a young journalist who had made-up her story.
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The death of Primo Levi
Wed 11 Apr 2012
It is 25 years since the great Italian author and Auschwitz survivor died.
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Fidel Castro in the USA
Tue 10 Apr 2012
Castro met Richard Nixon and addressed large crowds to win over critics of the revolution
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Eichmann on Trial
Mon 9 Apr 2012
In 1961, Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi in charge of concentration camps, was tried in Israel.
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Good Friday Agreement
Fri 6 Apr 2012
The frantic negotiations that led to a historic peace deal for Northern Ireland in 1998.
