Witness History
BBC World Service
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
Mentioned books
Feb 3, 2026 • 11min
Cuba's Mariel boatlift
Mirta Ojito, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who left Cuba during the 1980 Mariel boatlift, recalls her teenage decision to flee and the tense scenes at the barbed-wire camps. She describes overcrowded boats, a dramatic rescue by a Vietnam vet, and how news of criminals among migrants reshaped US reactions and policy.
Feb 2, 2026 • 10min
The 'Jugroom Fort' rescue mission
Captain Chris Fraser-Perry, a 19-year-old British Royal Marine who volunteered in the 2007 Jugroom Fort rescue attempt. He recounts the failed assault, the daring plan to ride an Apache helicopter onto the fort, the terrifying approach under fire and brownout, and the moment of discovering and recovering a fallen comrade.
11 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 9min
Ötzi: The Iceman of Bolzano
Two hikers uncover a perfectly preserved 5,000-year-old mummy high in the Alps. Archaeologists and forensic experts examine its clothes, tools and a copper axe. Researchers debate why the person was traveling and plan complex preservation and scientific analyses. Later investigations reveal a violent cause of death and promise decades of ongoing study.
Jan 29, 2026 • 10min
The Kaohsiung Incident
Yao Chia-wen, a Taiwanese pro-democracy lawyer jailed after the 1979 Kaohsiung/Formosa unrest, recounts his role and legal battle. He discusses the rally’s demands for lifting martial law, how clashes escalated into mass arrests and high-profile trials, and the event’s ripple effects on Taiwan’s shift from one-party rule to electoral politics.
Jan 28, 2026 • 10min
Chile's 'Penguin Revolution'
Karina Delfino, a former student organiser from Santiago who later became a local mayor, recalls leading Chile’s 2006 Penguin Revolution. She explains why students were called penguins and how school occupations shifted public opinion. The conversation covers Pinochet-era education reforms, nationwide strikes, presidential concessions and the movement’s long-term political impact.
Jan 27, 2026 • 11min
The liberation of Auschwitz
Soldiers unexpectedly uncover a death camp and describe the shock of prisoners emerging from barracks. Eyewitness testimony recounts chaotic arrivals, forced separations and the brutal marches. Accounts reveal attempts to erase evidence, warehouses of personal effects and scenes of mass murder. Reflections explore the liberation’s aftermath and the call for remembrance.
Jan 26, 2026 • 11min
John Logie Baird invents television
Iain Logie-Baird, grandson of inventor John Logie Baird and a museum professional, shares vivid family recollections. He describes the 1926 attic televisor demo, a beard-getting-caught mishap, and how light was converted into moving images. He also covers press scepticism, funding struggles, technical scanning breakthroughs, and Baird’s later experiments in colour TV.
6 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 11min
Agatha Christie: best-selling novelist of all time
Mathew Pritchard, the grandson of Agatha Christie, shares intimate memories of his legendary grandmother, recalling family dinners and her affectionate nature. He discusses Christie's prolific writing career and the magical legacy of her play, The Mousetrap. Delving into her mysterious 11-day disappearance, Mathew suggests it stemmed from personal turmoil. He also highlights the inspirations behind her iconic characters, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, offering a peek into the mind of the best-selling novelist of all time.
Jan 22, 2026 • 10min
The Challenger space shuttle tragedy
Barbara Morgan, a former schoolteacher and NASA astronaut, shares her firsthand experiences as the backup for Christa McAuliffe on the ill-fated Challenger mission. She recalls the rigorous training with the Challenger crew and the emotional impact of watching the launch that ended in tragedy. Morgan reflects on the national mourning that followed and the lessons learned from the investigation into the disaster, offering a personal glimpse into a moment that deeply affected America and shaped the future of space exploration.
Jan 21, 2026 • 11min
Operation Mincemeat
Join amateur historian Roger Morgan as he unveils the fascinating story behind Operation Mincemeat, a World War II deception involving a fake corpse named Major William Martin. Hear archival insights from Ewan Montagu, the Royal Navy intelligence officer who orchestrated the stunning ruse to mislead Nazi Germany. They discuss the meticulous planning, the challenges of sourcing a suitable body, and the shocking reveal of the real identity behind the deception, Glyndwr Michael, who has remained a mystery for decades.
