Main content

Witness History Episodes

  1. Today 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Birkin bag: Creating fashion’s iconic accessory

    In 1985, one the world’s most recognisable fashion accessories was launched, the Birkin (R)

  2. Today 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    A child's return to Franco's Spain

    What it was like to live under Franco’s rule during the Spanish Civil War

  3. Today 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    A child's return to Franco's Spain

    What it was like to live under Franco’s rule during the Spanish Civil War (R)

  4. Today 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    A child's return to Franco's Spain

    What it was like to live under Franco’s rule during the Spanish Civil War (R)

  5. Today 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    A child's return to Franco's Spain

    What it was like to live under Franco’s rule during the Spanish Civil War (R)

  6. Tomorrow 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only & Live News

    A child's return to Franco's Spain

    What it was like to live under Franco’s rule during the Spanish Civil War (R)

  7. Sunday 07:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Pickles and the Stolen World Cup

    In 1966 England won the football World Cup. But would there be a trophy to collect?

  8. Sunday 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Dada: The birth of an art movement

    In 1916, in Switzerland, an aesthetic began which would influence Surrealism and punk.

  9. Sunday 12:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Pickles and the Stolen World Cup

    In 1966 England won the football World Cup. But would there be a trophy to collect?

  10. Sunday 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The Mexican song that captivated lovers during World War II

    History told by the people who were there.

  11. Sunday 18:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Pickles and the Stolen World Cup

    In 1966 England won the football World Cup. But would there be a trophy to collect?

  12. Monday 02:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Pickles and the Stolen World Cup

    In 1966 England won the football World Cup. But would there be a trophy to collect?

  13. Monday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Mexico’s ‘little old lady killer’

    In 2008, Juana Barraza was found guilty of murdering 11 elderly women

  14. Monday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Mexico’s ‘little old lady killer’

    In 2008, Juana Barraza was found guilty of murdering 11 elderly women (R)

  15. Monday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Mexico’s ‘little old lady killer’

    In 2008, Juana Barraza was found guilty of murdering 11 elderly women (R)

  16. Monday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Mexico’s ‘little old lady killer’

    In 2008, Juana Barraza was found guilty of murdering 11 elderly women (R)

  17. Tuesday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Mexico’s ‘little old lady killer’

    In 2008, Juana Barraza was found guilty of murdering 11 elderly women (R)

  18. Tuesday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    How a Peruvian instrument revolutionised flamenco

    In 1977, flamenco artists attended a party in Lima that transformed the genre forever

  19. Tuesday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    How a Peruvian instrument revolutionised flamenco

    In 1977, flamenco artists attended a party in Lima that transformed the genre forever (R)

  20. Tuesday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    How a Peruvian instrument revolutionised flamenco

    In 1977, flamenco artists attended a party in Lima that transformed the genre forever (R)

  21. Tuesday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    How a Peruvian instrument revolutionised flamenco

    In 1977, flamenco artists attended a party in Lima that transformed the genre forever (R)

  22. Wednesday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    How a Peruvian instrument revolutionised flamenco

    In 1977, flamenco artists attended a party in Lima that transformed the genre forever (R)

  23. Wednesday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Unveiling the face of Crazy Horse

    In 1998, a carving of the face of Native American warrior Crazy Horse was unveiled

  24. Wednesday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Unveiling the face of Crazy Horse

    In 1998, a carving of the face of Native American warrior Crazy Horse was unveiled (R)

  25. Wednesday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Unveiling the face of Crazy Horse

    In 1998, a carving of the face of Native American warrior Crazy Horse was unveiled (R)

  26. Wednesday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Unveiling the face of Crazy Horse

    In 1998, a carving of the face of Native American warrior Crazy Horse was unveiled (R)

  27. Next Thursday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Unveiling the face of Crazy Horse

    In 1998, a carving of the face of Native American warrior Crazy Horse was unveiled (R)

  28. Next Thursday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The first solar-powered flight around the world

    In 2016, two pilots attempted to fly around the globe without any fuel

  29. Next Thursday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The first solar-powered flight around the world

    In 2016, two pilots attempted to fly around the globe without any fuel (R)

  30. Next Thursday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The first solar-powered flight around the world

    In 2016, two pilots attempted to fly around the globe without any fuel (R)

  31. Next Thursday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The first solar-powered flight around the world

    In 2016, two pilots attempted to fly around the globe without any fuel (R)

  32. Next Friday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The first solar-powered flight around the world

    In 2016, two pilots attempted to fly around the globe without any fuel (R)

  33. Next Friday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Creating Africa’s largest film festival

    In 1969, the first African film festival of Ouagadougou took place

  34. Next Friday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Creating Africa’s largest film festival

    In 1969, the first African film festival of Ouagadougou took place (R)

  35. Next Friday 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Creating Africa’s largest film festival

    In 1969, the first African film festival of Ouagadougou took place (R)

  36. Next Friday 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Creating Africa’s largest film festival

    In 1969, the first African film festival of Ouagadougou took place (R)

  37. Next Saturday 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    Creating Africa’s largest film festival

    In 1969, the first African film festival of Ouagadougou took place (R)

  38. Sun 26 Jul 2026 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The Mexican song that captivated lovers during World War II

    History told by the people who were there.

  39. Sun 26 Jul 2026 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The Aga Khan meets Florence Nightingale

    In 1898, Florence Nightingale invited the Aga Khan around to her London home for tea.

  40. Mon 27 Jul 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The last execution by garrote: Salvador Puig Antich

    In 1974, a 25-year-old anarchist became the last person executed by garrote in Spain

  41. Mon 27 Jul 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The last execution by garrote: Salvador Puig Antich

    In 1974, a 25-year-old anarchist became the last person executed by garrote in Spain (R)

  42. Mon 27 Jul 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The last execution by garrote: Salvador Puig Antich

    In 1974, a 25-year-old anarchist became the last person executed by garrote in Spain (R)

  43. Mon 27 Jul 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The last execution by garrote: Salvador Puig Antich

    In 1974, a 25-year-old anarchist became the last person executed by garrote in Spain (R)

  44. Tue 28 Jul 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The last execution by garrote: Salvador Puig Antich

    In 1974, a 25-year-old anarchist became the last person executed by garrote in Spain (R)

  45. Tue 28 Jul 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The making of Oasis’ Wonderwall

    The story behind the making of an anthem

  46. Tue 28 Jul 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The making of Oasis’ Wonderwall

    The story behind the making of an anthem (R)

  47. Tue 28 Jul 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The making of Oasis’ Wonderwall

    The story behind the making of an anthem (R)

  48. Tue 28 Jul 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The making of Oasis’ Wonderwall

    The story behind the making of an anthem (R)

  49. Wed 29 Jul 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The making of Oasis’ Wonderwall

    The story behind the making of an anthem (R)

  50. Wed 29 Jul 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Sweden's summer shutdown

    In 1978, Swedish workers relished the chance to take long, paid vacations

  51. Wed 29 Jul 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Sweden's summer shutdown

    In 1978, Swedish workers relished the chance to take long, paid vacations (R)

  52. Wed 29 Jul 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Sweden's summer shutdown

    In 1978, Swedish workers relished the chance to take long, paid vacations (R)

  53. Wed 29 Jul 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Sweden's summer shutdown

    In 1978, Swedish workers relished the chance to take long, paid vacations (R)

  54. Thu 30 Jul 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Sweden's summer shutdown

    In 1978, Swedish workers relished the chance to take long, paid vacations (R)

  55. Thu 30 Jul 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    I organised the first Comic Con

    In 1964 a group of teenage boys organised the first official comic convention in New York

  56. Thu 30 Jul 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    I organised the first Comic Con

    In 1964 a group of teenage boys organised the first official comic convention in New York (R)

  57. Thu 30 Jul 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    I organised the first Comic Con

    In 1964 a group of teenage boys organised the first official comic convention in New York (R)

  58. Thu 30 Jul 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    I organised the first Comic Con

    In 1964 a group of teenage boys organised the first official comic convention in New York (R)

  59. Fri 31 Jul 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    I organised the first Comic Con

    In 1964 a group of teenage boys organised the first official comic convention in New York (R)

  60. Fri 31 Jul 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The cellist who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau

    In 1943, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch survived Auschwitz after being recruited to an orchestra

  61. Fri 31 Jul 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The cellist who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau

    In 1943, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch survived Auschwitz after being recruited to an orchestra (R)

  62. Fri 31 Jul 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The cellist who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau

    In 1943, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch survived Auschwitz after being recruited to an orchestra (R)

  63. Fri 31 Jul 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The cellist who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau

    In 1943, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch survived Auschwitz after being recruited to an orchestra (R)

  64. Sat 1 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    The cellist who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau

    In 1943, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch survived Auschwitz after being recruited to an orchestra (R)

  65. Sun 2 Aug 2026 07:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    The Aga Khan meets Florence Nightingale

    In 1898, Florence Nightingale invited the Aga Khan around to her London home for tea.

  66. Sun 2 Aug 2026 16:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Gina Lollobrigida interviews Fidel Castro

    In 1974, the Italian film icon secured an exclusive interview with the Cuban leader

  67. Mon 3 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  68. Mon 3 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  69. Mon 3 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  70. Mon 3 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  71. Tue 4 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  72. Tue 4 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  73. Tue 4 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  74. Tue 4 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  75. Tue 4 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  76. Wed 5 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Witness History

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  77. Wed 5 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Ashley Kriel: Anti-apartheid activist

    In the 1980s Ashley Kriel emerged as a leader of the struggle against white minority rule

  78. Wed 5 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Ashley Kriel: Anti-apartheid activist

    In the 1980s Ashley Kriel emerged as a leader of the struggle against white minority rule (R)

  79. Wed 5 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Ashley Kriel: Anti-apartheid activist

    In the 1980s Ashley Kriel emerged as a leader of the struggle against white minority rule (R)

  80. Wed 5 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Ashley Kriel: Anti-apartheid activist

    In the 1980s Ashley Kriel emerged as a leader of the struggle against white minority rule (R)

  81. Thu 6 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Ashley Kriel: Anti-apartheid activist

    In the 1980s Ashley Kriel emerged as a leader of the struggle against white minority rule (R)

  82. Thu 6 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    When Taiwan’s ‘White Terror’ ended

    In 1987 Taiwan finally lifted martial law after nearly four decades of authoritarian rule

  83. Thu 6 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    When Taiwan’s ‘White Terror’ ended

    In 1987 Taiwan finally lifted martial law after nearly four decades of authoritarian rule (R)

  84. Thu 6 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    When Taiwan’s ‘White Terror’ ended

    In 1987 Taiwan finally lifted martial law after nearly four decades of authoritarian rule (R)

  85. Thu 6 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    When Taiwan’s ‘White Terror’ ended

    In 1987 Taiwan finally lifted martial law after nearly four decades of authoritarian rule (R)

  86. Fri 7 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    When Taiwan’s ‘White Terror’ ended

    In 1987 Taiwan finally lifted martial law after nearly four decades of authoritarian rule (R)

  87. Fri 7 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    07/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  88. Fri 7 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    07/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  89. Fri 7 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    07/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  90. Fri 7 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    07/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  91. Sat 8 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    07/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  92. Mon 10 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    10/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  93. Mon 10 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    10/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  94. Mon 10 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    10/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  95. Mon 10 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    10/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  96. Tue 11 Aug 2026 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    10/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  97. Tue 11 Aug 2026 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    11/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  98. Tue 11 Aug 2026 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    11/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  99. Tue 11 Aug 2026 17:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    11/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)

  100. Tue 11 Aug 2026 21:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    11/08/2026 GMT

    The story of our times told by the people who were there. (R)