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Witness History Episodes

  1.

    The Romans In Britain

    In 1982 a British director found himself in a court battle over sex and nudity on stage.

  2. World War II concerts

    Throughout World War II, Myra Hess organised concerts in London's National Gallery.

  3. The Theremin

    In 1929 a Russian inventor brought an electronic musical instrument to the USA.

  4. Stalin's Daughter

    The daughter of the Soviet dictator, Svetlana defected to the West in 1967

  5. Discovery of Penicillin

    How scientists turned penicillin into the world's first anti-biotic medicine.

  6. The films of Andy Warhol

    In the 1960s, the pop artist Andy Warhol, turned his attention to film-making.

  7. The Zeebrugge disaster

    It is 25 years since a car ferry capsized outside the Belgian port.

  8. The Home Brew Computer Club

    Californian computer enthusiasts met to share ideas - including the founders of Apple

  9. The first flight of Concorde

    On 2 March 1969 the supersonic airliner took to the skies for the first time.

  10. Gujarat riots

    It is 10 years since communal violence broke out in the Indian state.

  11. The assassination of Georgi Markov

    The Bulgarian dissident was attacked with a poisoned umbrella on his way to Bush House.

  12. The killing of Olof Palme

    On 28 February 1986, the Swedish Prime Minister was killed on a Stockholm street.

  13. Mary Quant and the miniskirt

    A 2012 episode looks back at the work of the pioneering designer, who has died aged 93

  14. From the silent screen to talkies

    In the late 1920s Hollywood made the change from silent films to movies with soundtracks.

  15. The Damascus Spring

    Twelve years ago Syria experienced a brief burst of political openness.

  16. Moose Murders

    Nearly 30 years ago Moose Murders made history as the biggest flop ever on Broadway.

  17. Nixon in China

    It is 40 years since the US President went to China and met Chairman Mao.

  18. Sucked out of a Plane

    In February 1989, nine people were sucked out of a plane over the Pacific Ocean.

  19. Japanese internment

    In February 1942 all Japanese Americans were ordered to internment camps.

  20. The bombing of Darwin

    In February 1942 Japan launched the largest ever attack against Australia.

  21. The Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan

    On 15 February 1989, the last Soviet soldiers rolled out of Afghanistan.

  22. Sister Dorothy Stang

    In February 2005 a Catholic nun working in the Amazon was murdered.

  23. The Stolen Generation

    Debra Hocking was taken from her indigenous Australian family as a baby.

  24. Deep Blue versus Kasparov

    It was the first time a computer had beaten a reigning world champion chess player.

  25. 50 years of Silicone Breast Implants

    In 1962 Timmie Jean Lindsey became the first woman in the world to have the operation.

  26. Charonne Metro deaths

    It is 50 years since nine French peace protestors died during a demonstration in Paris.

  27. Drugs in Mexico

    On 7 February 1985 a US drug enforcement agent was abducted in Guadalajara.

  28. Death of King George VI

    How Britain mourned the death of King George VI in 1952.

  29. Umm Kulthum

    The great Egyptian singer was buried 37 years ago.

  30. The Hama massacre

    It is 30 years since thousands of Syrians were killed by their own army.

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