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
8 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 11min
Breaking the sound barrier
Chuck Yeager, the legendary U.S. Air Force test pilot, shares his thrilling journey of becoming the first person to break the sound barrier in 1947. Despite flying with two broken ribs, he details the challenges of the Bell X-1 and the ingenious fixes he employed, like using a broom handle to secure the cockpit. Yeager reflects on the dangers of supersonic flight and dispels myths about speed. He also discusses the immediate and lasting impact of his historic flight on aviation. His stories reveal both courage and serendipity in the face of groundbreaking challenges.
6 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 11min
Discovering the largest dinosaur ever
Dr. Diego Pol, a palaeontologist and lead excavator of the Patagotitan, shares the astonishing story of the largest dinosaur ever discovered. He recounts how a shepherd stumbled upon a massive bone in Patagonia, prompting a thrilling excavation that revealed over 150 bones from six enormous titanosaur skeletons. Pol discusses the challenges of organizing a large-scale dig and the excitement surrounding the discovery, estimated to be a staggering 40 meters long and weighing 77 tonnes. He also reflects on the media frenzy and the dinosaur's official naming in honor of the region's landowners.
13 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 10min
The ‘father of e-books’
In this fascinating discussion, Greg Newby, longtime director of Project Gutenberg, recalls the inception of the digital reading era sparked by his friend Michael Hart, the 'father of e-books'. They delve into how Hart's bike ride and vision in 1971 led to creating the first e-book—the Declaration of Independence. Newby shares insights on the project's growth, reaching 70,000 free texts, and Hart's belief in a digital revolution that would transform how we access literature. Their passion for making reading widely available shines through.
Nov 5, 2025 • 11min
The creation of Miffy
Dick Bruna, the Dutch author and illustrator behind the beloved Miffy, shares fascinating insights from his creative journey. He recalls how his bold, simple style initially faced skepticism from parents, though children embraced it. Bruna discusses his artistic influences from Picasso to Matisse and how he crafted books for small hands using bright, primary colors. He reveals his storytelling approach for young readers, emphasizes inclusivity in Miffy’s world, and recounts the meticulous process behind every book.
8 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 11min
President Clinton is impeached
Joe Lockhart, former White House press secretary under Bill Clinton, shares his firsthand experiences during the 1999 impeachment trial. He discusses the dramatic transformation of the Senate into a courtroom and how public opinion influenced the impeachment response. Lockhart reflects on the dual pressures of managing foreign policy, like military action against Iraq, while handling the scandal. He also highlights the political dynamics that turned the impeachment into a partisan affair, revealing behind-the-scenes stories that keep listeners captivated.
11 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 11min
The brains behind Thunderbirds
Dee Anderson, daughter of the creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, shares her insights on the beloved show Thunderbirds. She recalls the excitement surrounding its 1965 debut and how her family reacted. Dee discusses the iconic characters like Lady Penelope and the innovative supermarionation technique that brought them to life. She reveals behind-the-scenes stories, like the infamous alligator filming incident, and highlights her mother's dedicated approach to creating relatable, human characters, which contributed to the show's enduring popularity.
7 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 10min
Emerante de Pradines: Haiti’s musical trailblazer
Richard Morse shares his mother Emerante de Pradines' inspiring journey as Haiti’s first international recording artist. He highlights her dedication to preserving and promoting vodou culture during oppressive times. From performing for elite audiences to teaching dance at prestigious U.S. institutions, Emerante empowered her community and brought Haitian folklore to the academic forefront. Richard reflects on her profound legacy and humble spirit, which continues to shape Haitian identity and cultural pride.
6 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 10min
Orson Welles broadcasts The War of the Worlds
Orson Welles, an iconic American actor and director, recounts the chilling night in 1938 when his Mercury Theatre broadcast The War of the Worlds. He shares how the adaptation transformed a seemingly dull show into a gripping tale of Martian invasion, complete with realistic news interruptions. This innovation sparked widespread panic, with listeners fleeing in fear. Welles humorously recalls the chaos, highlighting the power of radio to unite and terrify audiences. The discussion touches on the lasting impact and subsequent regulations on broadcasting that followed.
Oct 29, 2025 • 10min
Srebrenica massacre
Hasan Nuhanović, a Bosnian survivor and former UN translator, shares his harrowing experiences from the Srebrenica massacre, where he lost his family. He details the false sense of security provided by the UN and the horrifying moments as Serb forces breached the 'safe haven.' Hasan describes the agony of his last goodbye with his brother and father amidst chaos and fear, and the painful aftermath of the genocide, highlighting the personal and collective trauma still felt today.
10 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 11min
The invention of the balloon-expandable stent
Julio Palmaz, an Argentinian physician and inventor of the balloon-expandable coronary stent, shares his inspiring journey from Argentina to groundbreaking medical innovation. He reveals how a piece of construction metal sparked the design of the stent at a conference. Discussing collaborations with a US Army cardiologist and unique funding sources, he details the evolution of his invention, clinical trials, and the incredible impact it has had on heart disease treatment worldwide. Julio's story highlights the spirit of innovation and global health improvement.
