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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Sarajevo peace protests
Thu 5 Apr 2012
How thousands of Bosnians tried to stop their capital falling under siege in 1992.
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Active Birth Movement
Wed 4 Apr 2012
In 1982, women took to the streets to demand the right to give birth naturally
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The Falklands War - Part Two
Tue 3 Apr 2012
An Argentine soldier's account of invading the Falkland Islands in 1982.
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The Falklands War
Mon 2 Apr 2012
It is 30 years since Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands.
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Sudan's Lost Boys
Fri 30 Mar 2012
How thousands of children stranded during war in Sudan were finally resettled in the USA.
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Scott of the Antarctic
Thu 29 Mar 2012
A 100 years ago the British explorer died after failing to be the first to the South Pole.
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Apartheid attack
Tue 27 Mar 2012
In 1990 an Anglican priest living in Zimbabwe was the victim of a letter bomb.
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Pope John Paul II Visits Cuba
Mon 26 Mar 2012
The Pope's visit changed relations between the Catholic Church and Cuba's government
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The US Peace Corps
Thu 22 Mar 2012
In 1961 President Kennedy set up a scheme to send idealistic young Americans abroad.
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How Little America was built in Afghanistan
Wed 21 Mar 2012
In the 1950s, US engineers were sent to Afghanistan to build a dam.
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Sarin gas attack in Tokyo
Tue 20 Mar 2012
In March 1995 members of a Japanese cult released nerve gas in the metro.
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The bombardment of Baghdad
Mon 19 Mar 2012
On 20 March 2003 the US and its allies began their air strikes against Iraq.
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The Torrey Canyon disaster
Sun 18 Mar 2012
Forty five years ago it was the biggest oil spill the world had ever seen.
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The My Lai massacre
Thu 15 Mar 2012
On 16 March 1968, US soldiers went on the rampage through a Vietnamese village.
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The Romans In Britain
Tue 13 Mar 2012
In 1982 a British director found himself in a court battle over sex and nudity on stage.
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World War II concerts
Mon 12 Mar 2012
Throughout World War II, Myra Hess organised concerts in London's National Gallery.
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The Theremin
Sun 11 Mar 2012
In 1929 a Russian inventor brought an electronic musical instrument to the USA.
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Stalin's Daughter
Thu 8 Mar 2012
The daughter of the Soviet dictator, Svetlana defected to the West in 1967
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Discovery of Penicillin
Wed 7 Mar 2012
How scientists turned penicillin into the world's first anti-biotic medicine.
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The films of Andy Warhol
Tue 6 Mar 2012
In the 1960s, the pop artist Andy Warhol, turned his attention to film-making.
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The Zeebrugge disaster
Mon 5 Mar 2012
It is 25 years since a car ferry capsized outside the Belgian port.
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The Home Brew Computer Club
Sun 4 Mar 2012
Californian computer enthusiasts met to share ideas - including the founders of Apple
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The first flight of Concorde
Thu 1 Mar 2012
On 2 March 1969 the supersonic airliner took to the skies for the first time.
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The assassination of Georgi Markov
Tue 28 Feb 2012
The Bulgarian dissident was attacked with a poisoned umbrella on his way to Bush House.
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The killing of Olof Palme
Mon 27 Feb 2012
On 28 February 1986, the Swedish Prime Minister was killed on a Stockholm street.
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Mary Quant and the miniskirt
Sun 26 Feb 2012
A 2012 episode looks back at the work of the pioneering designer, who has died aged 93
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From the silent screen to talkies
Thu 23 Feb 2012
In the late 1920s Hollywood made the change from silent films to movies with soundtracks.
