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 Siege of Sarajevo
Mon 29 Feb 2016
Twenty years ago the siege of Sarajevo ended, the longest siege in modern history
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The Foxcatcher Story
Fri 26 Feb 2016
In 1996 an American multi-millionaire murdered one of the wrestlers he was sponsoring
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The Caracazo Protests
Thu 25 Feb 2016
In February 1989 new austerity measures sparked days of violent protests in Venezuela
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Philippines People Power Revolution
Wed 24 Feb 2016
In 1986, Filipinos took to the streets to overthrow the regime of Ferdinand Marcos
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The Back to Africa Movement
Tue 23 Feb 2016
In the late 1800s thousands of African-Americans tried to emigrate to escape violence
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The Death of Jonas Savimbi
Mon 22 Feb 2016
In February 2002 the controversial Angolan rebel leader was killed by government forces
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The UK’s Foot-and-Mouth Epidemic
Fri 19 Feb 2016
In 2001 an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease devastated the British farming industry
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The Battle of Verdun
Thu 18 Feb 2016
In 1916, French and German armies began one of the most devastating battles of WW1
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Christian Dior's New Look
Wed 17 Feb 2016
In February 1947, French designer Christian Dior transformed post-war fashion.
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The Attempt to Kill Khaled Meshaal
Tue 16 Feb 2016
In 1997 Israeli secret agents tried to assassinate a Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal.
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Seven Years In Tibet
Mon 15 Feb 2016
The Austrian mountaineer who lived in the forbidden land of Tibet in the 1940s and 50s.
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Black Sabbath
Fri 12 Feb 2016
On Friday 13 February 1970, heavy metal band Black Sabbath released their first album
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Britain's Secret Code-Breakers
Thu 11 Feb 2016
Witness talks to one of Britain's secret army of World War Two code-breakers
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Pakistan's Women Only Police Station
Wed 10 Feb 2016
In 1994 Pakistan opened the country's first all-female police station
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The Arab Spring and Syria
Tue 9 Feb 2016
The story of the first protests against the Assad regime in 2011
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The Last of the Red Hot Mamas
Mon 8 Feb 2016
The larger than life vaudeville star - Sophie Tucker - died on February 9th 1966.
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Wed 3 Feb 2016
In 1938, the first animated feature film was released, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
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The ‘Abscam’ Corruption Investigation
Tue 2 Feb 2016
The FBI sting operation that ensnared corrupt politicians using a fictitious Arab sheikh.
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Spanish Embassy Killings
Mon 1 Feb 2016
In January 1980, 37 people died as police stormed Spain's embassy in Guatemala
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The First Batman TV Series
Fri 29 Jan 2016
In January 1966 Batman and Robin appeared on the small screen for the first time
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Sharia Returns to Nigeria
Thu 28 Jan 2016
In 2000, Zamfara became the first Nigerian state to implement full Sharia law
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The Challenger Disaster
Wed 27 Jan 2016
On 28 January 1986 The Challenger space shuttle launch went horribly wrong
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The First Fleet Lands in Australia
Tue 26 Jan 2016
Britain established a penal colony in Australia.In January 1788
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The Wapping Dispute
Mon 25 Jan 2016
In January 1986 newspaper owner Rupert Murdoch took on the British print unions.
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The Funeral of Jan Palach
Fri 22 Jan 2016
Hundreds of thousands of people mourned the student activist in Prague in January 1969.
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The Poisoning of Viktor Yushchenko
Thu 21 Jan 2016
In 2004, a Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko was mysteriously poisoned
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The Soldier Who Never Surrendered
Wed 20 Jan 2016
In 1972 a Japanese soldier was found hiding in the jungle on the Pacific island of Guam.
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Mexico's Tequila Crisis
Tue 19 Jan 2016
In January 1995 Mexico was forced to seek a multi-billion dollar bailout from the US
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The Adventures of Tintin
Mon 18 Jan 2016
One of the most famous cartoon characters in history was born in January 1929 - Tintin.
