History

Casablanca

The classic 1942 movie that convinced Americans the Second World War was worth fighting.

01 Oct 2026,·53 mins

The English Civil Wars, Part 1 of 2

The English Civil Wars are among the most consequential events in British history.

28 Sep 2026,·49 mins

Series 13

Founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard

Was the sire of Scientology evil or a genius?

30 Sep 2026,·37 mins

Why Don’t We Wear Hats Anymore?

Alice and Ben put on their thinking caps to unravel the demise of the hat.

01 Oct 2026,·31 mins

The Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2)

Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the story of Odysseus' dreadful return…

02 Oct 2026,·62 mins

Marie Antoinette: Myths vs Reality

What if almost everything you’ve been told about Marie Antoinette is a lie?

01 Oct 2026,·54 mins

Seven Ages of Man, with Michael Rosen

7. Vittorio Angelone's in his 20s

Can comedian Vittorio Angelone learn to like himself, after his tumultuous 20s?

02 Oct 2026,·15 mins

The Most Disastrous Voyage in Navy History

Would you have survived life at sea in the 18th century?

01 Oct 2026,·49 mins

History's Secret Heroes - Series 4

Kiyoshi Tanimoto and the Atomic Bomb

Why did a minister run towards Hiroshima immediately after the atomic bomb?

29 Sep 2026,·29 mins

The Hitler Diaries Scandal

10. Downfall

Andrew Hunter Murray tracks down Hitler’s faked diaries to the Bundesarchiv in Koblenz.

25 Sep 2026,·15 mins

Lea Ypi on Kant

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

28 Sep 2026,·28 mins

The Iliad and Odyssey (Radio Edit)

Join Greg and his guests in ancient Greece to learn all about the Iliad and Odyssey.

25 Sep 2026,·28 mins

Boer War: Siege of Ladysmith

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

02 Oct 2026,·10 mins

The Truth About Coco Chanel

What is the truth about Coco Chanel?

29 Sep 2026,·47 mins

"You’re Not Howard Hughes!"

Hughes had an amazing life story... but he wasn't sharing his memories with anyone.

02 Oct 2026,·34 mins

5. A Reckoning

In Ben Macintyre's new book his Cold War story of espionage in 1980s Iran concludes.

18 Sep 2026,·13 mins

French Revolution: Storming of the Bastille

What drove a hungry city to storm a fortress?

28 Sep 2026,·55 mins

Mad for Oasis

10. Some Might Say I Do

Robyn's Oasis inspired wedding photo end up being seen around the world.

22 Aug 2025,·8 mins

1832: Ballet En Pointe

1832, Paris: the first dancer on pointe shoes ushers in the age of Romantic ballet.

03 Oct 2026,·56 mins

The Silence of the Oligarchs

Russia's super-rich once ruled the country - could they restore their political influence?

27 Sep 2026,·28 mins

The President's Path: Do Trump's endorsements help?

Republicans are weighing whether Trump's backing can help them win crucial midterm votes

02 Oct 2026,·16 mins

Bonus: ‘I had to run’- A Mother’s Story

After 50 years, we share the mother and son reunion that seemed impossible.

11 Mar 2026,·36 mins

Introducing... The Haunted Library

The Haunted Library is open. Come in. Stay a while.

22 Sep 2026,·38 mins

Lady on Trial

Ladies in Court

Lucy Worsley, Professor Rosalind Crone and barrister Nneka Akodulu KC discuss the cases.

18 Aug 2026,·28 mins

September 28th to October 4th

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.

30 Sep 2026,·5 mins

100 Objects #20: AA Sobriety Chip

From Prohibition to women’s suffrage: the history of the fight over sobriety in America.

02 Oct 2026,·52 mins

6. By the Time You Get This Letter

Were their deaths, and these letters, their final creative collaboration?

08 Sep 2026,·42 mins

3. High Art?

How false gods laid the cornerstones of Western civilisation.

08 Mar 2006,·30 mins

Real Vikings

10. 1066 and the Last Vikings

1066 ushers in the ultimate Norse showdown, bringing down the curtain on the Viking Age…

26 May 2026,·58 mins

Tito Part 5: The Sun King

Tito becomes an international celebrity with a jet-set lifestyle.

15 Jul 2026,·56 mins