Witness History
BBC World Service
Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by 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 the death of Adolf Hitler, the first spacewalk and the making of the movie Jaws, to celebrity tortoise Lonesome George, the Kobe earthquake and the invention of superglue.
We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: Eva Peron – Argentina’s Evita; President Ronald Reagan and his famous ‘tear down this wall’ speech; Thomas Keneally on why he wrote Schindler’s List; and Jacques Derrida, France’s ‘rock star’ philosopher.
You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the civil rights swimming protest, the disastrous D-Day rehearsal, and the death of one of the world’s oldest languages.
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 the death of Adolf Hitler, the first spacewalk and the making of the movie Jaws, to celebrity tortoise Lonesome George, the Kobe earthquake and the invention of superglue.
We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: Eva Peron – Argentina’s Evita; President Ronald Reagan and his famous ‘tear down this wall’ speech; Thomas Keneally on why he wrote Schindler’s List; and Jacques Derrida, France’s ‘rock star’ philosopher.
You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the civil rights swimming protest, the disastrous D-Day rehearsal, and the death of one of the world’s oldest languages.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 4, 2025 • 10min
Wole Soyinka: Imprisoned during Nigeria’s Biafra war
In this discussion, Wole Soyinka, a renowned Nigerian playwright and the first African Nobel laureate in Literature, shares his harrowing experience during the Biafra war. He recounts his secret mission to meet Biafran leader Emeka Ojukwu, his arrest upon returning, and the brutal two years he spent in solitary confinement. Soyinka reflects on the deep-seated grievances that fueled the secession and how those feelings still resonate today, offering a powerful commentary on war, survival, and the lasting impact of history.
Dec 3, 2025 • 11min
Escaping Nigeria's Biafra war
Patricia Ngozi Ebigwe, known as Patti Boulaye, is a Nigerian-born TV and music star who escaped the harrowing Biafra war as a teenager. She shares her gripping journey of fleeing violence, hiding her identity, and witnessing unimaginable brutality during the conflict. The chaos on the road to safety and the trauma of helping bury the dead are stark highlights of her story. After a traumatic reunion with her mother, she speaks on coping with the past and how she transformed her life in England, finding success in entertainment.
Dec 2, 2025 • 11min
Building the New Afrika Shrine in Nigeria
Omoyeni Anikulapo-Kuti, also known as Yeni Kuti, the eldest daughter of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, shares her journey in building the New Afrika Shrine in Nigeria. She highlights the need to preserve her father's legacy and recounts the vibrant history of the original shrine as a hub of music and political expression. Yeni discusses challenges from local extortionists, the shrine’s unique design, and its role as a global cultural destination. She emphasizes the importance of keeping Afrobeat alive across generations through family performances and community engagement.
Dec 1, 2025 • 11min
West Africa fights back against Boko Haram
Retired Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka-Usman, a key figure in Nigeria's military efforts against Boko Haram, shares dramatic insights from his tenure as Director of Public Relations. He recounts the harrowing abduction of the Chibok girls and the emotional moment of raising the Nigerian flag at reclaimed checkpoints. Sani discusses the military's strategic offensive in 2015 to eliminate Boko Haram's threats and the brutal realities uncovered in liberated areas. Despite progress, he warns of the lingering threat posed by Boko Haram factions.
Nov 28, 2025 • 11min
Ravi and George
In this compelling discussion, George Harrison, the legendary lead guitarist of The Beatles, shares his transformative journey of learning the sitar from iconic musician Ravi Shankar. George recounts his secretive escape to India to study and the profound influence it had on his spirituality and music. Ravi reflects on their deep friendship and the challenges of popularizing Indian classical music in the West. Together, they explore how this collaboration altered both their artistic paths and left a lasting legacy in the music world.
Nov 27, 2025 • 11min
India goes to the UN
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, a pioneering Indian diplomat and sister of Jawaharlal Nehru, shares her remarkable journey leading India's first delegation to the United Nations in 1946. She discusses her initial doubts about taking on the role and the advice she received from Gandhi, emphasizing a heart-centered approach rather than legal expertise. Pandit recounts her emotional triumph during the assembly's pivotal vote, which not only marked a significant moment for India but also reshaped her life's trajectory as she gained national recognition.
5 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 10min
The Howard Hughes literary hoax
Clifford Irving, an acclaimed American writer turned notorious fraudster, shares his thrilling tale of fabricating a supposed autobiography of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. He reveals the audacious lengths he went to, including staging fake interviews and creating forged letters. Irving discusses the eccentric persona he crafted for Hughes, the unexpected consequences of his deception, and the eventual unraveling of his elaborate hoax. With candid reflections, he takes listeners through his regrets and the lessons learned from this infamous literary scam.
Nov 25, 2025 • 11min
Colombia's Salt Cathedral
Jorge Enrique Castellblanco, a retired mining engineer, shares his incredible journey of designing the iconic Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá, Colombia. He recounts the touching origins of miners' makeshift altars from the 1930s and how a presidential visit inspired the cathedral's construction. Jorge delves into the architectural marvel of this underground wonder, revealing its intricate carvings, symbolic layout, and impressive visitor numbers. With aspirations to draw even more tourists, he highlights the significance of this unique site for the local community.
10 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 11min
Toy Story: the first digitally-animated feature film
Doug Sweetland, an animator and director who started at Pixar as a teenager, shares his insights from working on Toy Story, the groundbreaking first fully CGI feature film. He reminisces about the audience's enthusiastic reactions during its premiere and his journey to Pixar after graduating from CalArts. The conversation delves into how CGI altered animation production, the experimental creative process at Pixar, and the unique storytelling that set it apart from Disney films. Sweetland also highlights the film's immense box office success and its everlasting impact on the animation industry.
14 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 10min
How the Bosnian war ended
Milan Milutinović, former Yugoslav foreign minister, shares his gripping firsthand accounts of the Dayton negotiations that ended the Bosnian war. He recounts the tense moment of waking Slobodan Milosevic at 2 a.m. when talks felt doomed. Milan delves into the complex dynamics between the Serbian delegation and U.S. negotiators, explaining how personal relationships influenced decisions. He also reflects on the emotional pressure on Bosnian leaders to sign the agreement and the immediate relief felt at the signing, paving the way for fragile peace.
