Witness History

Dieter Huyssen, a descendant of Kolmanskop's founders, shares heartfelt family memories of this once-thriving diamond town in Namibia. He details the rise of Kolmanskop during the diamond rush and its lavish lifestyle, contrasting it with the eerie silence of its current ghostly state, overwhelmed by the desert sands. The story delves into the architectural wonders brought by German influence and reflects on the emotional connections to abandoned places, highlighting how they shape our understanding of history and identity.

Mulatu Astatke, known as the father of Ethio-jazz, shares his inspiring journey of blending Ethiopian music with jazz and Latin rhythms. He recounts his transition from engineering dreams to pursuing music, fueled by the vibrant NYC club scene. Mulatu reflects on the challenges he faced in promoting his unique sound, prioritizing artistic integrity over commercial success. He also shares surreal moments on stage, from the excitement of performing to the unexpected reactions from audiences, marking a significant evolution in global music.

Harold Riley, an acclaimed English artist known for his vivid portrayal of Salford's working-class life, shares his unique experience capturing Nelson Mandela on canvas. He describes the six sittings with Mandela as transformative, filled with insightful conversations that shaped the portrait. Riley reveals how this masterpiece, unveiled in 2005, not only showcases Mandela’s legacy but also raised over $1 million for South African children's charities. His artistic journey intertwines community and leadership, making for an inspiring discussion.

Explore the troubling tale of Rear Admiral Đurović, a steadfast officer caught in the chaos of the Croatian War of Independence. His promise to protect Dubrovnik raised questions about loyalty and integrity during a tumultuous time. Suspicion looms over his sudden death in a helicopter crash, as conflicting narratives abound regarding its true nature. Delve into the moral dilemmas faced by military leaders in war and the ripple effects of one man's decisions on a nation's fate, with chilling insights from eyewitness accounts.

Joined by Ruben Abati, former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan, listeners explore a transformative moment in Nigeria's political history. Ruben shares insights on Jonathan's groundbreaking phone call to Muhammadu Buhari, congratulating him after the 2015 election. This pivotal act marked the first peaceful transition of power in Nigeria, showcasing resilience in a nation often marred by electoral violence. The discussion highlights the significance of prioritizing peace and national unity in times of political turmoil.

General David Galtier, who led the search and rescue operation after the tragic Germanwings plane crash, shares firsthand insights from that harrowing day in March 2015. He reflects on the surreal sight of debris scattered across the French Alps and the emotional toll of returning victims' belongings to their families. Galtier discusses the chilling last moments of Flight 4U 9525 and the disturbing realization of the co-pilot’s intentions following the cockpit voice recorder's revelations. His account reveals the profound impact of the disaster on both individuals and the airline industry.

Andrea Amaldi, grandson of the legendary scientist Edoardo Amaldi, shares a touching story about sending his grandfather's letter to space aboard the Edoardo Amaldi Automated Transfer Vehicle. He discusses Edoardo’s visionary role in establishing the European Space Agency, aimed at uniting Europe's brightest scientific minds. The conversation delves into the emotional weight of sending a personal message to the stars and highlights a family's historical legacy intertwined with the evolution of space exploration in Europe.

In July 1975, former competitors the Soviet Union and the United States both launched rockets into the sky within hours of each other, as part of a joint project. They wanted two spacecraft, from two different countries, to achieve the first international docking in space. While millions watched on TV, the cosmonauts and astronauts opened the hatches between the two vehicles and shook hands, then shared meals and conducted joint science experiments. In 2022, former NASA chief historian, Bill Barry told Nick Holland why the unique rendezvous was a turning point. 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 football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.(Photo: Commander of the Soviet crew of Soyuz, Alexei Leonov (L) and commander of the American crew of Apollo, Thomas Stafford (R). Credit: NASA/AFP via Getty Images).

“Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.”These are the opening lines of the 'In Event of Moon Disaster' speech, written in 1969 in case the moon landing astronauts did not make it home.They were composed by President Richard Nixon’s speechwriter, William Safire, who died in 2009, at the age of 79.The speech continued: “These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.”Using archive from the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and NASA, Vicky Farncombe tells the story of “the speech that never was”.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 football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.(Photo: Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin on the moon. Credit: Getty Images)

On March 18, 1965, Alexei Leonov made history as the first person to spacewalk, floating above Earth for ten tense minutes. His spacesuit unexpectedly inflated, creating a near crisis as he struggled to re-enter the spacecraft. The narrative captures the rivalry between Soviet and American astronauts during the space race and the emotional weight of that moment. With vivid accounts and reflections, the podcast brings to life the exhilaration and danger of venturing into the vast unknown, culminating in a triumphant return celebrated in the Soviet Union.