Main content

Witness History Episodes

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

    Boer War: Siege of Ladysmith

    In 1899, British troops faced a four-month siege in South Africa (R)

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

    Boer War: Siege of Ladysmith

    In 1899, British troops faced a four-month siege in South Africa (R)

  3. Sunday 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Mstislav Rostropovich: Virtuoso cellist

    In 1978, Rostropovich lost Soviet citizenship for 'unpatriotic activity'

  4. Sunday 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Sulawesi's cave art and the origins of storytelling

    In 2012, cave art found in Indonesia challenged the idea that storytelling began in Europe

  5. Monday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Peruvian pilots who secretly delivered fighter jets during the Falklands War

    In June 1982, Peru sent fighter jets to help Argentina combat the UK

  6. Monday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Peruvian pilots who secretly delivered fighter jets during the Falklands War

    In June 1982, Peru sent fighter jets to help Argentina combat the UK (R)

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

    The Peruvian pilots who secretly delivered fighter jets during the Falklands War

    In June 1982, Peru sent fighter jets to help Argentina combat the UK (R)

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

    The Peruvian pilots who secretly delivered fighter jets during the Falklands War

    In June 1982, Peru sent fighter jets to help Argentina combat the UK (R)

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

    The Peruvian pilots who secretly delivered fighter jets during the Falklands War

    In June 1982, Peru sent fighter jets to help Argentina combat the UK (R)

  10. Tuesday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Egypt’s President Sadat is assassinated

    In October 1981, President Anwar Sadat was assassinated at a military parade

  11. Tuesday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Egypt’s President Sadat is assassinated

    In October 1981, President Anwar Sadat was assassinated at a military parade (R)

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

    Egypt’s President Sadat is assassinated

    In October 1981, President Anwar Sadat was assassinated at a military parade (R)

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

    Egypt’s President Sadat is assassinated

    In October 1981, President Anwar Sadat was assassinated at a military parade (R)

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

    Egypt’s President Sadat is assassinated

    In October 1981, President Anwar Sadat was assassinated at a military parade (R)

  15. Wednesday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The mirrors that lit up a dark Norwegian town

    In 2013, Rjukan saw winter sunshine for the first time – thanks to an unusual invention

  16. Wednesday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The mirrors that lit up a dark Norwegian town

    In 2013, Rjukan saw winter sunshine for the first time – thanks to an unusual invention (R)

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

    The mirrors that lit up a dark Norwegian town

    In 2013, Rjukan saw winter sunshine for the first time – thanks to an unusual invention (R)

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

    The mirrors that lit up a dark Norwegian town

    In 2013, Rjukan saw winter sunshine for the first time – thanks to an unusual invention (R)

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

    The mirrors that lit up a dark Norwegian town

    In 2013, Rjukan saw winter sunshine for the first time – thanks to an unusual invention (R)

  20. Next Thursday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    How rats were trained to clear landmines

    In 2004, the world's first team of rats were cleared to be used in demining operations

  21. Next Thursday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    How rats were trained to clear landmines

    In 2004, the world's first team of rats were cleared to be used in demining operations (R)

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

    How rats were trained to clear landmines

    In 2004, the world's first team of rats were cleared to be used in demining operations (R)

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

    How rats were trained to clear landmines

    In 2004, the world's first team of rats were cleared to be used in demining operations (R)

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

    How rats were trained to clear landmines

    In 2004, the world's first team of rats were cleared to be used in demining operations (R)

  25. Next Friday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The boy behind the creation of the Winnie-the-Pooh books

    In 1926, the first Winnie-the-Pooh book was published, inspired by a young boy's toys

  26. Next Friday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The boy behind the creation of the Winnie-the-Pooh books

    In 1926, the first Winnie-the-Pooh book was published, inspired by a young boy's toys (R)

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

    The boy behind the creation of the Winnie-the-Pooh books

    In 1926, the first Winnie-the-Pooh book was published, inspired by a young boy's toys (R)

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

    The boy behind the creation of the Winnie-the-Pooh books

    In 1926, the first Winnie-the-Pooh book was published, inspired by a young boy's toys (R)

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

    The boy behind the creation of the Winnie-the-Pooh books

    In 1926, the first Winnie-the-Pooh book was published, inspired by a young boy's toys (R)

  30. Sun 11 Oct 2026 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Sulawesi's cave art and the origins of storytelling

    In 2012, cave art found in Indonesia challenged the idea that storytelling began in Europe

  31. Sun 11 Oct 2026 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The final journey of Chief Long Wolf

    In 1997, the remains of a Lakota leader were returned from London to South Dakota

  32. Mon 12 Oct 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The first monkeys to survive space travel

    On 28 May 1959, the USA sent two monkeys into space and brought them back alive.

  33. Mon 12 Oct 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The first monkeys to survive space travel

    On 28 May 1959, the USA sent two monkeys into space and brought them back alive. (R)

  34. Mon 12 Oct 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The first monkeys to survive space travel

    On 28 May 1959, the USA sent two monkeys into space and brought them back alive. (R)

  35. Mon 12 Oct 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The first monkeys to survive space travel

    On 28 May 1959, the USA sent two monkeys into space and brought them back alive. (R)

  36. Tue 13 Oct 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The first monkeys to survive space travel

    On 28 May 1959, the USA sent two monkeys into space and brought them back alive. (R)

  37. Tue 13 Oct 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Harry Harlow's monkeys and the study of human attachment

    Harry Harlow's controversial monkey tests in the 1950s transformed ideas on attachment

  38. Tue 13 Oct 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Harry Harlow's monkeys and the study of human attachment

    Harry Harlow's controversial monkey tests in the 1950s transformed ideas on attachment (R)

  39. Tue 13 Oct 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Harry Harlow's monkeys and the study of human attachment

    Harry Harlow's controversial monkey tests in the 1950s transformed ideas on attachment (R)

  40. Tue 13 Oct 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Harry Harlow's monkeys and the study of human attachment

    Harry Harlow's controversial monkey tests in the 1950s transformed ideas on attachment (R)

  41. Wed 14 Oct 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Harry Harlow's monkeys and the study of human attachment

    Harry Harlow's controversial monkey tests in the 1950s transformed ideas on attachment (R)

  42. Wed 14 Oct 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Washoe: The chimp who learnt to sign

    By 1970 Washoe the chimp was thought to be the first non-human to learn a human language

  43. Wed 14 Oct 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Washoe: The chimp who learnt to sign

    By 1970 Washoe the chimp was thought to be the first non-human to learn a human language (R)

  44. Wed 14 Oct 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Washoe: The chimp who learnt to sign

    By 1970 Washoe the chimp was thought to be the first non-human to learn a human language (R)

  45. Wed 14 Oct 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Washoe: The chimp who learnt to sign

    By 1970 Washoe the chimp was thought to be the first non-human to learn a human language (R)

  46. Thu 15 Oct 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Washoe: The chimp who learnt to sign

    By 1970 Washoe the chimp was thought to be the first non-human to learn a human language (R)

  47. Thu 15 Oct 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    When Dian Fossey was murdered

    American gorilla expert Dian Fossey was murdered in 1985 in the mountains of Rwanda

  48. Thu 15 Oct 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    When Dian Fossey was murdered

    American gorilla expert Dian Fossey was murdered in 1985 in the mountains of Rwanda (R)

  49. Thu 15 Oct 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    When Dian Fossey was murdered

    American gorilla expert Dian Fossey was murdered in 1985 in the mountains of Rwanda (R)

  50. Thu 15 Oct 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    When Dian Fossey was murdered

    American gorilla expert Dian Fossey was murdered in 1985 in the mountains of Rwanda (R)

  51. Fri 16 Oct 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    When Dian Fossey was murdered

    American gorilla expert Dian Fossey was murdered in 1985 in the mountains of Rwanda (R)

  52. Fri 16 Oct 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Declaring chimpanzees an endangered species

    In 1990, human’s closest living relatives were declared endangered for the first time

  53. Fri 16 Oct 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Declaring chimpanzees an endangered species

    In 1990, human’s closest living relatives were declared endangered for the first time (R)

  54. Fri 16 Oct 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Declaring chimpanzees an endangered species

    In 1990, human’s closest living relatives were declared endangered for the first time (R)

  55. Fri 16 Oct 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Declaring chimpanzees an endangered species

    In 1990, human’s closest living relatives were declared endangered for the first time (R)

  56. Sat 17 Oct 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    Declaring chimpanzees an endangered species

    In 1990, human’s closest living relatives were declared endangered for the first time (R)

  57. Sun 18 Oct 2026 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The final journey of Chief Long Wolf

    In 1997, the remains of a Lakota leader were returned from London to South Dakota

  58. Sun 18 Oct 2026 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Usonia: Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘utopian’ town

    In 1948, a “utopian” town of houses was designed by America’s greatest architect

  59. Mon 19 Oct 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Gerald Durrell's mission to save species from extinction

    In 1959, the writer Gerald Durrell opened the gates to a new kind of zoo

  60. Mon 19 Oct 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Gerald Durrell's mission to save species from extinction

    In 1959, the writer Gerald Durrell opened the gates to a new kind of zoo (R)

  61. Mon 19 Oct 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Gerald Durrell's mission to save species from extinction

    In 1959, the writer Gerald Durrell opened the gates to a new kind of zoo (R)

  62. Mon 19 Oct 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Gerald Durrell's mission to save species from extinction

    In 1959, the writer Gerald Durrell opened the gates to a new kind of zoo (R)

  63. Tue 20 Oct 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Gerald Durrell's mission to save species from extinction

    In 1959, the writer Gerald Durrell opened the gates to a new kind of zoo (R)

  64. Tue 20 Oct 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    How Ten Canoes made cinema history

    In 2006, Australia's first feature film in Aboriginal languages was created

  65. Tue 20 Oct 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    How Ten Canoes made cinema history

    In 2006, Australia's first feature film in Aboriginal languages was created (R)

  66. Tue 20 Oct 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    How Ten Canoes made cinema history

    In 2006, Australia's first feature film in Aboriginal languages was created (R)

  67. Tue 20 Oct 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    How Ten Canoes made cinema history

    In 2006, Australia's first feature film in Aboriginal languages was created (R)

  68. Wed 21 Oct 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    How Ten Canoes made cinema history

    In 2006, Australia's first feature film in Aboriginal languages was created (R)

  69. Wed 21 Oct 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Malta’s divorce referendum

    In 2011, Maltese voters went to the polls to decide if divorce should be legalised

  70. Wed 21 Oct 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Malta’s divorce referendum

    In 2011, Maltese voters went to the polls to decide if divorce should be legalised (R)

  71. Wed 21 Oct 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Malta’s divorce referendum

    In 2011, Maltese voters went to the polls to decide if divorce should be legalised (R)

  72. Wed 21 Oct 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Malta’s divorce referendum

    In 2011, Maltese voters went to the polls to decide if divorce should be legalised (R)

  73. Thu 22 Oct 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Malta’s divorce referendum

    In 2011, Maltese voters went to the polls to decide if divorce should be legalised (R)

  74. Thu 22 Oct 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

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

  75. Thu 22 Oct 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

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

  76. Thu 22 Oct 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)

  77. Thu 22 Oct 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)

  78. Fri 23 Oct 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)

  79. Fri 23 Oct 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    23/10/2026 GMT

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

  80. Fri 23 Oct 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    23/10/2026 GMT

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

  81. Fri 23 Oct 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    23/10/2026 GMT

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

  82. Fri 23 Oct 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    23/10/2026 GMT

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

  83. Sat 24 Oct 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet, Online & Europe and the Middle East only

    23/10/2026 GMT

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

  84. Mon 26 Oct 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army

  85. Mon 26 Oct 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  86. Mon 26 Oct 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  87. Mon 26 Oct 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  88. Tue 27 Oct 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  89. Tue 27 Oct 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital

  90. Tue 27 Oct 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  91. Tue 27 Oct 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  92. Tue 27 Oct 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  93. Wed 28 Oct 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  94. Wed 28 Oct 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    28/10/2026 GMT

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

  95. Wed 28 Oct 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    28/10/2026 GMT

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

  96. Wed 28 Oct 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    28/10/2026 GMT

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

  97. Wed 28 Oct 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    28/10/2026 GMT

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

  98. Thu 29 Oct 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    28/10/2026 GMT

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

  99. Thu 29 Oct 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    29/10/2026 GMT

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

  100. Thu 29 Oct 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    29/10/2026 GMT

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