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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Thai University Massacre
Wed 5 Oct 2016
On October 6th 1976 Thai security forces opened fire on student demonstrators in Bangkok.
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The Poisoned Painkiller
Tue 4 Oct 2016
In October 1982 seven people in the US died after taking painkillers laced with cyanide.
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The Founding of Mensa
Mon 3 Oct 2016
In 1946, a chance encounter between two men launched the high IQ club, Mensa
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Sir Stanley Spencer
Fri 30 Sep 2016
He was one of Britain's most admired 20th century painters. His daughters remember him.
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The Mayak Nuclear Disaster
Thu 29 Sep 2016
On September 29th 1957 there was a major nuclear accident in the Soviet Union.
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The Attica Prison Rebellion
Wed 28 Sep 2016
In 1971 inmates rioted and seized control of the US jail, taking guards hostage
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South Africa's 1985 State of Emergency
Tue 27 Sep 2016
In the dying years of Apartheid, the white government was desperate to keep control.
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Outback Internment
Mon 26 Sep 2016
During WWII, Britain deported some civilians classed as 'enemy aliens' to Australia.
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The Curious Story of Mary Toft
Fri 23 Sep 2016
In September 1726, a woman called Mary Toft claimed she was giving birth to rabbits.
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The First Legal 'Physician-Assisted Suicide'
Thu 22 Sep 2016
On September 22nd 1996 an Australian doctor helped a cancer sufferer to die.
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Domestic Violence in Brazil
Wed 21 Sep 2016
In 2006 Brazil passed the ground-breaking "Maria da Penha" law to tackle domestic abuse.
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Voting Against the War on Terror
Tue 20 Sep 2016
Only one Congresswoman voted against the 'war on terror'. Her name was Barbara Lee.
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The West Australian Gold Rush
Mon 19 Sep 2016
In September 1892 gold was discovered in Western Australia
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The Capture of Abimael Guzman
Fri 16 Sep 2016
In September 1992 security forces in Peru arrested the leader of the Shining Path rebels.
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The First Tanks
Thu 15 Sep 2016
Tanks were first used in warfare on 15 September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme
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Anthrax Attacks
Wed 14 Sep 2016
Shortly after the 9/11 attacks in the USA someone started posting Anthrax to politicians
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The Great Fire of Smyrna
Tue 13 Sep 2016
In 1922 a huge fire destroyed the ancient city of Smyrna on the Aegean, thousands died
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The Lascaux Caves
Mon 12 Sep 2016
In September 1940 a group of French schoolboys found a network of ancient cave paintings.
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Estonia's Bootleg Vodka Poisoning
Fri 9 Sep 2016
In September 2001, 68 people died after an outbreak of alcohol poisoning in Estonia.
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How Europe won over the British left
Thu 8 Sep 2016
A speech by Jacques Delors helped change British trade unionists' attitude to Europe
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Star Trek - The Early Years
Wed 7 Sep 2016
In September 1966 the cult American science fiction series first went on air.
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Remembering Chairman Mao
Tue 6 Sep 2016
On September 9th 1976 the founding father of Chinese Communism, Mao Zedong, died.
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Italy's Partisan Fighters
Mon 5 Sep 2016
The brother and sister who took part in the struggle to free Italy from fascism in WW2.
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The Day Sweden Turned Right
Fri 2 Sep 2016
In September 1967 Swedish traffic changed to driving on the right-hand side of the road.
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The Mexican American War
Thu 1 Sep 2016
Testimonies from the conflict that changed US-Mexican relations forever
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The Last Case of Smallpox in the UK
Wed 31 Aug 2016
Alasdair Geddes on finding smallpox in Janet Parker in 1978 and the events that followed
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The Fall of Bukhara
Tue 30 Aug 2016
In 1920, the Central Asian Muslim kingdom of Bukhara was taken over by Communists.
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Burning Man
Mon 29 Aug 2016
It's thirty years since the birth of the counter-culture festival Burning Man.
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Fania All Stars - Legends of Salsa
Fri 26 Aug 2016
How a Latin music supergroup helped spread salsa music from New York to the world.
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Helmand Convoy
Thu 25 Aug 2016
An audacious military mission to bring electricity to southern Afghanistan.
