Main content

Witness History Episodes

  1. Tomorrow 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The world's first perfume archive

    In 1990, L'Osmothèque opened in Versailles, France, with a collection of 400 perfumes.

  2. Tomorrow 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Roddy Doyle writes Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha

    In 1993, the Irish writer Roddy Doyle won the prestigious Booker Prize for Fiction.

  3. Monday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Asha Bhosle: The world's most recorded artist

    Asha Bhosle became the world's most recorded artist in 2011

  4. Monday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Asha Bhosle: The world's most recorded artist

    Asha Bhosle became the world's most recorded artist in 2011 (R)

  5. Monday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Asha Bhosle: The world's most recorded artist

    Asha Bhosle became the world's most recorded artist in 2011 (R)

  6. Monday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Asha Bhosle: The world's most recorded artist

    Asha Bhosle became the world's most recorded artist in 2011 (R)

  7. Tuesday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Asha Bhosle: The world's most recorded artist

    Asha Bhosle became the world's most recorded artist in 2011 (R)

  8. Tuesday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The battle of Mandalay in WW2

    The story of a crucial battle in the Burma campaign in 1945

  9. Tuesday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The battle of Mandalay in WW2

    The story of a crucial battle in the Burma campaign in 1945 (R)

  10. Tuesday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The battle of Mandalay in WW2

    The story of a crucial battle in the Burma campaign in 1945 (R)

  11. Tuesday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The battle of Mandalay in WW2

    The story of a crucial battle in the Burma campaign in 1945 (R)

  12. Wednesday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The battle of Mandalay in WW2

    The story of a crucial battle in the Burma campaign in 1945 (R)

  13. Wednesday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Canada's controversial resettlement programme

    In 1954, thousands from isolated fishing communities were relocated to 'growth centres'

  14. Wednesday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Canada's controversial resettlement programme

    In 1954, thousands from isolated fishing communities were relocated to 'growth centres' (R)

  15. Wednesday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Canada's controversial resettlement programme

    In 1954, thousands from isolated fishing communities were relocated to 'growth centres' (R)

  16. Wednesday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Canada's controversial resettlement programme

    In 1954, thousands from isolated fishing communities were relocated to 'growth centres' (R)

  17. Thursday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Canada's controversial resettlement programme

    In 1954, thousands from isolated fishing communities were relocated to 'growth centres' (R)

  18. Thursday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    'I created the duck cake from Bluey'

    In 1980, an Australian birthday cake book was launched that would inspire generations

  19. Thursday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    'I created the duck cake from Bluey'

    In 1980, an Australian birthday cake book was launched that would inspire generations (R)

  20. Thursday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    'I created the duck cake from Bluey'

    In 1980, an Australian birthday cake book was launched that would inspire generations (R)

  21. Thursday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    'I created the duck cake from Bluey'

    In 1980, an Australian birthday cake book was launched that would inspire generations (R)

  22. Next Friday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    'I created the duck cake from Bluey'

    In 1980, an Australian birthday cake book was launched that would inspire generations (R)

  23. Next Friday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Peace People: The Northern Ireland campaign group born from tragedy

    Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams won the Nobel Peace Prize

  24. Next Friday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Peace People: The Northern Ireland campaign group born from tragedy

    Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams won the Nobel Peace Prize (R)

  25. Next Friday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Peace People: The Northern Ireland campaign group born from tragedy

    Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams won the Nobel Peace Prize (R)

  26. Next Friday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Peace People: The Northern Ireland campaign group born from tragedy

    Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams won the Nobel Peace Prize (R)

  27. Next Saturday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only & Live News

    Peace People: The Northern Ireland campaign group born from tragedy

    Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams won the Nobel Peace Prize (R)

  28. Next Sunday 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Roddy Doyle writes Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha

    In 1993, the Irish writer Roddy Doyle won the prestigious Booker Prize for Fiction.

  29. Next Sunday 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Norway's WWII railway sabotage plot

    In 1942, Norwegian resistance fighters set out to blow up a railway used by the Nazis

  30. Mon 24 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Uruguay's water referendum

    In 2004, Uruguayans voted to enshrine water as a human right in their constitution.

  31. Mon 24 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Uruguay's water referendum

    In 2004, Uruguayans voted to enshrine water as a human right in their constitution. (R)

  32. Mon 24 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Uruguay's water referendum

    In 2004, Uruguayans voted to enshrine water as a human right in their constitution. (R)

  33. Mon 24 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Uruguay's water referendum

    In 2004, Uruguayans voted to enshrine water as a human right in their constitution. (R)

  34. Tue 25 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Uruguay's water referendum

    In 2004, Uruguayans voted to enshrine water as a human right in their constitution. (R)

  35. Tue 25 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Auschwitz: An SS officer’s photo album

    In 2007, an abandoned photo album revealed the chilling normality of life in Auschwitz

  36. Tue 25 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Auschwitz: An SS officer’s photo album

    In 2007, an abandoned photo album revealed the chilling normality of life in Auschwitz (R)

  37. Tue 25 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Auschwitz: An SS officer’s photo album

    In 2007, an abandoned photo album revealed the chilling normality of life in Auschwitz (R)

  38. Tue 25 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Auschwitz: An SS officer’s photo album

    In 2007, an abandoned photo album revealed the chilling normality of life in Auschwitz (R)

  39. Wed 26 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Auschwitz: An SS officer’s photo album

    In 2007, an abandoned photo album revealed the chilling normality of life in Auschwitz (R)

  40. Wed 26 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  41. Wed 26 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  42. Wed 26 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  43. Wed 26 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  44. Thu 27 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  45. Thu 27 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Hurricane Luis hits Antigua

    In September 1995, Hurricane Luis devastated the Caribbean island of Antigua

  46. Thu 27 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Hurricane Luis hits Antigua

    In September 1995, Hurricane Luis devastated the Caribbean island of Antigua (R)

  47. Thu 27 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Hurricane Luis hits Antigua

    In September 1995, Hurricane Luis devastated the Caribbean island of Antigua (R)

  48. Thu 27 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Hurricane Luis hits Antigua

    In September 1995, Hurricane Luis devastated the Caribbean island of Antigua (R)

  49. Fri 28 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Hurricane Luis hits Antigua

    In September 1995, Hurricane Luis devastated the Caribbean island of Antigua (R)

  50. Fri 28 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73

    In 1986, Pan-American Airways Flight 73 was hijacked at Karachi Airport

  51. Fri 28 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73

    In 1986, Pan-American Airways Flight 73 was hijacked at Karachi Airport (R)

  52. Fri 28 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73

    In 1986, Pan-American Airways Flight 73 was hijacked at Karachi Airport (R)

  53. Fri 28 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73

    In 1986, Pan-American Airways Flight 73 was hijacked at Karachi Airport (R)

  54. Sat 29 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    The hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73

    In 1986, Pan-American Airways Flight 73 was hijacked at Karachi Airport (R)

  55. Sun 30 Aug 2026 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Norway's WWII railway sabotage plot

    In 1942, Norwegian resistance fighters set out to blow up a railway used by the Nazis

  56. Sun 30 Aug 2026 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The making of the Third Man: A film noir classic

    In 1948, filming began in Austria on one of the greatest British films of all time

  57. Mon 31 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  58. Mon 31 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  59. Mon 31 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  60. Mon 31 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  61. Tue 1 Sep 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  62. Tue 1 Sep 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  63. Tue 1 Sep 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  64. Tue 1 Sep 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  65. Tue 1 Sep 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  66. Wed 2 Sep 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  67. Wed 2 Sep 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    ‘Genius’ sci-fi writer Octavia E Butler

    In 1995, Octavia E Butler received a MacArthur “genius” award for science-fiction writing

  68. Wed 2 Sep 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    ‘Genius’ sci-fi writer Octavia E Butler

    In 1995, Octavia E Butler received a MacArthur “genius” award for science-fiction writing (R)

  69. Wed 2 Sep 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    ‘Genius’ sci-fi writer Octavia E Butler

    In 1995, Octavia E Butler received a MacArthur “genius” award for science-fiction writing (R)

  70. Wed 2 Sep 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    ‘Genius’ sci-fi writer Octavia E Butler

    In 1995, Octavia E Butler received a MacArthur “genius” award for science-fiction writing (R)

  71. Thu 3 Sep 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    ‘Genius’ sci-fi writer Octavia E Butler

    In 1995, Octavia E Butler received a MacArthur “genius” award for science-fiction writing (R)

  72. Thu 3 Sep 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  73. Thu 3 Sep 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  74. Thu 3 Sep 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  75. Thu 3 Sep 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  76. Fri 4 Sep 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  77. Fri 4 Sep 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    04/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  78. Fri 4 Sep 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    04/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  79. Fri 4 Sep 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    04/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  80. Fri 4 Sep 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    04/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  81. Sat 5 Sep 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    04/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  82. Mon 7 Sep 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    07/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  83. Mon 7 Sep 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    07/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  84. Mon 7 Sep 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    07/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  85. Mon 7 Sep 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    07/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  86. Tue 8 Sep 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    07/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  87. Tue 8 Sep 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    08/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  88. Tue 8 Sep 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    08/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  89. Tue 8 Sep 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    08/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  90. Tue 8 Sep 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    08/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  91. Wed 9 Sep 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    08/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  92. Wed 9 Sep 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    09/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  93. Wed 9 Sep 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    09/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  94. Wed 9 Sep 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    09/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  95. Wed 9 Sep 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    09/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  96. Thu 10 Sep 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    09/09/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  97. Thu 10 Sep 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The weather report that changed the date of D-Day

    In 1944, a weather report predicted a storm that changed the course of WW2 history

  98. Thu 10 Sep 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The weather report that changed the date of D-Day

    In 1944, a weather report predicted a storm that changed the course of WW2 history (R)

  99. Thu 10 Sep 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The weather report that changed the date of D-Day

    In 1944, a weather report predicted a storm that changed the course of WW2 history (R)

  100. Thu 10 Sep 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The weather report that changed the date of D-Day

    In 1944, a weather report predicted a storm that changed the course of WW2 history (R)