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Witness History

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.

Copyright: © (C) BBC 2024

Latest Episodes:

Dutch North Sea flood Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

In 1953, a winter storm combined with high tides breached sea defences in the Netherlands, more than 1,800 people drowned.

Ria Geluk, remembers the once-in-a-lifetime flood.

In this programme first broadcast in 2011, Ria tells Trish Flanaghan what happened when water overwhelmed the farm she lived on.

(Photo: A man walking a flooded street. Credit: Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images. )

Plastics in oceans Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

In 1971, marine biologist Edward Carpenter made a shocking discovery finding small bits of plastics floating thousands of miles of the east coast of America in the Atlantic Ocean.

More than 50 years later he tells the story of how he had to fight hard to get the scientific world to take notice of his discovery.

He also tells Alex Collins about when plastics in oceans went viral.

(Photo: Plastic floating in water. Credit: Getty Images)

Pussy Riot’s cathedral protest Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

In February 2012, Diana Burkot and other members of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot protested inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour against the church and its support for Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Some members were arrested and put on a trial which made the news inside Russia and around the world.

Diana kept her participation in the protest secret and avoided going to prison. She shares her memories with Alex Collins.

(Photo: Diana Burkot on stage. Credit: Getty Images)

The man Pinochet wanted dead Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

After the 1973 military coup in Chile, Miguel Enriquez led resistance against the dictatorship. The secret police were ordered to track him down and assassinate him.

His wife Carmen Castillo remembers the day in October 1974 when she was six months pregnant and the military finally caught up with one of Chile’s most wanted men. Carmen tells her story to Jane Chambers.

(Picture: Admiral Toribio Merino, General Augusto Pinochet and Air Force General Leigh in 1973. Credit: Getty Images)

When America banned silicone breast implants Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

On 6 January 1992, the US Government ordered a suspension of all procedures involving silicone breast implants. More than 2,000 women had complained of poor health and pain after receiving implants.

Among the issues were ruptures of the implants, connective tissue diseases, and even fears of a possible link with cancer. The story raised concerns around the world.

Iain Mackness talks to plastic surgeon Alan Matarasso about the time the US banned silicone filled breast implants.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC World Service.

(Photo: Silicone breast implant. Credit: Getty Images)

Arctic African Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

Tété-Michel Kpomassie grew up in West Africa but he was obsessed with the Arctic. When he was 16 years old he ran away from his village in Togo determined to reach Greenland.

It took him eight years but in 1965, he finally arrived. He then went north to fulfil his dream of living among the indigenous people.

Years later, he wrote an award-winning account of his odyssey, An African in Greenland, which has been translated into eight languages. In this programme, first broadcast in 2019, he tells Alex Last about his journey.

(Photo: Tété-Michel Kpomassie in Greenland in 1988. Credit: BBC)

One team in Tallinn Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

In 1996, Scotland took to the field for a football World Cup qualifying tie in the Estonian capital city of Tallinn. The only problem was that there was no opposition on the other side.

Paul Lambert was one of the Scottish players who had to take part in the so-called match.

He has been sharing his memories of that time with Matt Pintus.

(Photo: Scotland kick off the match. Credit: Getty Images)

The birth of the Slow Food Movement Dec 30, 2022

Show notes

In 1986, thousands of people gathered in the middle of Rome to protest against the opening of Italy’s first McDonalds fast food restaurant. One of the opponents to the opening of McDonalds was journalist Carlo Petrini.

Soon after, he founded a new organisation called the Slow Food Movement. Its main aim was to protect traditional foods and cooking.

He has been sharing his story with Matt Pintus.

(Photo: Carlo Petrini. Credit: Slow Food International)

Inventing instant noodles Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

In August 1958, the Japanese entrepreneur, Momofuku Ando, came up with the idea of a brand new food product that would change the eating habits of people across the world.

In 2018, Ashley Byrne spoke to Yukitaka Tsutsui, an executive for the company founded by Ando, about the birth of the Instant Noodle.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC World Service.

(Photo: Momofuko Ando holding noodles. Credit: Getty Images)

Malta's bread strike Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

In February 1977 the bakers of Malta went on an unprecedented strike.

It sent shock waves through the Maltese people who couldn’t imagine life without their favourite food… bread.

Before long the military was guarding bakeries, the panicked population had created a bread black market and local prisoners were enlisted to bake for the public.

Forty-five years later Maltese cultural historian Noel Buttigieg shares his memories of the time, with Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty.

(Photo: A queue outside of a bakery during the 1977 strike. Credit: Noel Buttigieg)

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