Witness History
History
About
Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by and curious about the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from how the Excel spreadsheet was developed, the creation of cartoon rabbit Miffy and how the sound barrier was broken.We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: the moment Reagan and Gorbachev met in Geneva, Haitian singer Emerante de Pradines’ life and Omar Sharif’s legendary movie entrance in Lawrence of Arabia.You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, like the invention of a stent which has saved lives around the world; the birth of the G7; and the meeting of Maldives’ ministers underwater. We cover everything from World War Two and Cold War stories to Black History Month and our journeys into space.
Episodes
- Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission
This episode examines Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its findings regarding the country’s residential school system. Chief Wilton Littlechild discuses his role as a commissioner and the testimony heard from survivors.
- Sir David Attenborough's first Zoo Quest
This episode of Witness History revisits the 1954 launch of the BBC programme Zoo Quest, featuring Sir David Attenborough's first natural history expedition to search for the White-necked Picathartes in Sierra Leone.
- Africa's worst stadium disaster
On May 9, 2001, 127 people died and many more were injured at the Accra Stadium in Ghana, making it Africa's worst football stadium tragedy. The disaster occurred after a match between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, when police fired tea…
- Finding the world’s most complete T-rex fossil
This episode of Witness History recounts the discovery of the world's most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil on August 12, 1990, in South Dakota. Peter Larson shares insights into his team's landmark find.
- Norway's WW2 railway sabotage plot
In May 1942, Norwegian resistance fighters planned to sabotage a railway vital to the German war effort. The episode discusses this operation, led by Lieutenant Peter Deinboll.
- Nuns killed in Algeria
In the 1990s, during Algeria's civil conflict, two nuns, Caridad Alvarez and Esther Paniagua, were killed near their convent. Sister Lourdes Migueles, who was present at the time, shares her experience and reflects on the incident.
- The origins of World Press Freedom Day
In 1991, journalists in Namibia created the Windhoek Declaration, leading to the establishment of World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd by the UN General Assembly in 1993. The episode features Gwen Lister, who chaired the seminar.
- Inside the Cuban thaw
In 2014, the United States and Cuba normalized their relations, ending 54 years of hostility. The episode features an interview with Ben Rhodes, who was involved in the negotiations.
- Peter Singer’s Drowning Child thought experiment
This episode of Witness History features Peter Singer discussing his Drowning Child thought experiment. Published in 1972, this philosophical concept was influenced by the suffering witnessed during Bangladesh's independence struggle and l…
- Car-free Sundays during the global oil crisis
In October 1973, the Netherlands faced an oil embargo and introduced car-free Sundays. Wim Meijer, State Secretary, discusses this period in history.
- The world's first perfume archive
This episode of Witness History discusses the founding of L'Osmothèque, the world's first perfume archive, in Versailles, France, in 1990. Perfumer Jean Claude Ellena talks about its creation and the re-creation of perfumes from previous c…
- The Tabasco floods
The Mexican state of Tabasco experienced severe flooding in 2007, affecting over a million people. An emergency coordinator for the Red Cross shares his memories of the event.
- The clean-up of Chernobyl
The episode discusses the clean-up of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. It includes an account from Yurіy Skaletskyy, a radiological officer in the Soviet Navy, who monitored radiation exposure.
- The war in the woods
This podcast episode explores "The War in the Woods," a 1993 act of civil disobedience in Canada concerning the logging of ancient rainforests. It includes an interview with protest organizer Tzeporah Berman, who was arrested during the ev…
- Europe’s long drought of 2011
In 2011, a severe drought in central and eastern Europe led to record-low water levels in the Danube River, disrupting shipping and posing a threat to a nuclear power station. The drought also revealed sunken World War Two ships and unexpl…
- Mymba Kuera: The race to save wildlife at the Itaipu dam
In October 1982, the Itaipu Dam's construction in a rainforest on the Brazil-Paraguay border put thousands of animals at risk. This led to Mymba Kuera, a large-scale wildlife rescue operation, to save nearly 30,000 animals from the rising…
- Discovering Hans Christian Andersen's 'lost fairytale'
A historian discovered a pamphlet in the Danish Archives in 2012. It is a story called 'The Tallow Candle' and is believed to be Hans Christian Andersen’s first fairytale.
- The introduction of Sharia law in Aceh, Indonesia
Aceh, Indonesia, is the only Indonesian province where Sharia law is in force. This episode examines the introduction of Sharia law in Aceh and its first implementation in 2005, following years of conflict between Aceh and the central gove…
- The assassination of Thomas Sankara
This episode of Witness History details the 1987 assassination of Captain Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso. His overthrow was orchestrated by his old friend, Blaise Compaore. Thomas Sankara's brother, Paul, spoke to Alex Last in 2013.
- Roddy Doyle: Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha
Roddy Doyle won the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1993 for his novel, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. He discusses his inspiration for the book and the experience of winning the award.
- The creation of My Little Pony
This episode of Witness History recounts the creation of My Little Pony. Creator Bonnie Zacharle discusses the toy's development from initial concept to its successful launch and widespread popularity, including early challenges and design…
- The turtle freed after 41 years in captivity
In 1984, loggerhead sea turtle Jorge became trapped in fishing nets and was moved to an aquarium. He was kept in captivity for over 40 years before legal action led to his release in 2025. This episode discusses his story and rehabilitatio…
- Khula Manch, the victory rally
On April 9, 1990, people gathered at Khula Manch in Kathmandu to celebrate the end of Nepal's party-less Panchayat system and the beginning of multi-party democracy. Durga Thapa, who helped organize the protests, speaks about her role in t…
- Hitler's teeth
In 1945, Yelena Rzhevskaya claimed to have found Adolf Hitler’s teeth, playing a role in confirming the discovery of his remains by the Soviet Red Army. This episode recounts her experience as a war interpreter during the final days of Wor…
- Marcel Duchamp and the urinal that changed art
This episode discusses Marcel Duchamp, his involvement in the 1942 Surrealist exhibition in New York, and his famous art piece, "Fountain." The episode features a conversation with Carroll Janis from October 2016.
- Straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa
On December 15, 2001, the Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened after an 11-year closure. A complex €27 million stabilization project reduced its tilt by about 17 inches, securing the structure for an estimated 200–300 years.
- The first commercially successful electronic cigarette
In 2003, pharmacist Hon Lik, a smoker experiencing health issues, developed a vape prototype. His electronic cigarette went on sale in China in May 2004, selling 100,000 units.
- Spain welcomes Picasso’s Guernica
In 1981, Picasso's Guernica was returned to Spain after 44 years in exile. The mural was created in 1937 following the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.
- New Nordic cuisine
Claus Meyer launched the ‘Nordic Kitchen Manifesto’ in 2004, beginning a revolution in Nordic cooking focused on local seasonal ingredients. This led to the Copenhagen restaurant Noma, which was anointed the world’s best restaurant five ti…
- The discovery of the Terra Nova shipwreck
In 2012, researchers discovered the Terra Nova shipwreck, known for its role in British polar exploration. Oceanographer Leighton Rolley shares details of the discovery with Megan Jones.
- Recommending: 13 Minutes Presents Artemis II
The BBC podcast "13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II" chronicles the Artemis II mission, where NASA plans to send four astronauts to orbit the Moon. This mission marks humanity's return to the Moon after over half a century, aiming to travel f…
- Echo and the elephants
In 1972, the Amboseli Elephant Research Project began in Kenya, studying wild elephants, including a matriarch named Echo. The project documented Echo's life and her family for decades, with Dr. Cynthia Moss leading the research.
- Anthony Bourdain's Don't Eat Before Reading This
Anthony Bourdain's essay, "Don't Eat Before Reading This," provided insight into restaurant kitchen culture. The essay led to his career as a celebrity chef and influenced how food stories were told on television.
- The first Great Wall of China trek
In May 1984, three friends began a 508-day trek along the Great Wall of China, becoming the first people to complete it. They documented the wall's condition and became national heroes, reaching Jiayu Pass on September 24, 1985.
- How a Maasai community in Kenya overcame a deadly drought
In 2013, a Maasai community in Kajiado County, Kenya, formed an organization called ‘Ildalalekutuk Maasai Action for Development’ to build resilience and protect their culture after losing cattle in a drought. Dalmas Tiampati discusses thi…
- The only Pope to visit New Zealand
Pope John Paul II visited New Zealand in November 1986, holding an open-air mass in Auckland. This visit was part of his longest world tour, and he remains the only Pope to have visited the country.
- The reunification of Germany
This episode of Witness History recounts the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990 following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It details Chancellor Helmut Kohl's diplomatic efforts to address international concerns and secure…
- Women's rights in independent Tunisia
This episode of Witness History examines women's rights in independent Tunisia. It highlights the 1956 equality law that introduced civil divorce, abortion, and a ban on polygamy.
- The 'Cyprus Emergency'
Between 1955 and 1959, the EOKA group rebelled against British colonial rule in Cyprus, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency. Renos Lyssiotis, a Greek-Cypriot lawyer and EOKA member, was imprisoned by the British authorities…
- Oslo's anti-racism demonstration
In 2001, Oslo experienced a significant anti-racism demonstration following the murder of 15-year-old Benjamin Hermansen. His childhood friend, Luciana Parvaneh Zehi, shares her account of the march and the preceding events.
- The L'Amicale Four
This podcast episode from Witness History explores the 1999 L’Amicale gambling house fire in Port Louis, Mauritius. The fire resulted in seven deaths and the conviction of four men known as the L’Amicale Four. The case is reviewed, raising…
- The nuclear mango deal
This episode recounts the finalization of a nuclear deal between the United States and India on March 2, 2006. The agreement also included cooperative agreements on nuclear power and the import of Indian mangoes.
- Casablanca: Making one of Hollywood’s greatest movies
This episode of Witness History explores the making of the classic film "Casablanca." Leslie Epstein, son of screenwriter Julius Epstein, shares stories about the challenges and hijinks involved in its production.
- How Rang De Basanti inspired a generation
The Hindi film Rang De Basanti, released in 2006, shattered box office records and inspired young Indians to march for justice. The movie's message became a rallying cry, sparking conversations about patriotism and political apathy.
- I starred in Pan’s Labyrinth
Ivana Baquero starred in Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, playing an 11-year-old girl in 1944 fascist Spain. She discusses her experiences in the film.
- My father directed Seven Samurai
Hisao Kurosawa, son of director Akira Kurosawa, shares insights into the production and influence of the film Seven Samurai. The episode explores the making of the 1954 Japanese film, which was the most expensive Japanese film at the time.
- Triumph of the Will: A Nazi propaganda film
This episode explores "Triumph of the Will," a Nazi propaganda film from 1934, directed by Leni Riefenstahl. The film, shot at the Nuremberg rally, glorified the Nazi regime and its leader.
- The invention of the mobility scooter
In 1967, American plumber Al Thieme invented the mobility scooter, initially called an "amigo," as an alternative to a wheelchair for his wife. He started selling these battery-powered seats on wheels around the world in 1968.
- India’s first nuclear test
In May 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test, codenamed Smiling Buddha. This episode features an interview with Dr. SK Sikka, a leading nuclear scientist on the project, discussing its development and consequences.
- Portugal’s worst train disaster
This episode of Witness History recounts Portugal's worst train disaster. On September 11, 1985, a head-on collision between two trains in Mangualde killed an estimated 150 people. The accident was caused by both trains being allowed to us…