Main content

Witness History Episodes

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

    How Ten Canoes made cinema history

    In 2006, Australia's first feature film in Aboriginal languages was created (R)

  2. Tomorrow 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Malta’s divorce referendum

    In 2011, Maltese voters went to the polls to decide if divorce should be legalised

  3. Tomorrow 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Malta’s divorce referendum

    In 2011, Maltese voters went to the polls to decide if divorce should be legalised (R)

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

    Malta’s divorce referendum

    In 2011, Maltese voters went to the polls to decide if divorce should be legalised (R)

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

    Malta’s divorce referendum

    In 2011, Maltese voters went to the polls to decide if divorce should be legalised (R)

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

    Malta’s divorce referendum

    In 2011, Maltese voters went to the polls to decide if divorce should be legalised (R)

  7. Thursday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Keith Haring’s Berlin Wall mural

    In October 1986, American artist Keith Haring painted a huge mural on the Berlin Wall

  8. Thursday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Keith Haring’s Berlin Wall mural

    In October 1986, American artist Keith Haring painted a huge mural on the Berlin Wall (R)

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

    Keith Haring’s Berlin Wall mural

    In October 1986, American artist Keith Haring painted a huge mural on the Berlin Wall (R)

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

    Keith Haring’s Berlin Wall mural

    In October 1986, American artist Keith Haring painted a huge mural on the Berlin Wall (R)

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

    Keith Haring’s Berlin Wall mural

    In October 1986, American artist Keith Haring painted a huge mural on the Berlin Wall (R)

  12. Friday 07:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Hungarian Revolution

    In 1956, students and workers took to the streets of Budapest to protest at Soviet rule

  13. Friday 11:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Hungarian Revolution

    In 1956, students and workers took to the streets of Budapest to protest at Soviet rule (R)

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

    The Hungarian Revolution

    In 1956, students and workers took to the streets of Budapest to protest at Soviet rule (R)

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

    The Hungarian Revolution

    In 1956, students and workers took to the streets of Budapest to protest at Soviet rule (R)

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

    The Hungarian Revolution

    In 1956, students and workers took to the streets of Budapest to protest at Soviet rule (R)

  17. Sunday 08:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Usonia: Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘utopian’ town

    In 1948, a “utopian” town of houses was designed by America’s greatest architect.

  18. Sunday 17:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Restoring the Statue of Liberty

    In 1984, the Statue of Liberty was rejuvenated ahead of her 100th birthday

  19. Next Monday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army

  20. Next Monday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  21. Next Monday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  22. Next Monday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  23. Next Tuesday 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The Siege of Paris

    In 1870, the city of Paris was encircled by the Prussian army (R)

  24. Next Tuesday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital

  25. Next Tuesday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  26. Next Tuesday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  27. Next Tuesday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  28. Next Wednesday 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Bonn v Berlin: how Germany chose its capital

    In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Germany had to choose its new capital (R)

  29. Next Wednesday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Britain's real ale revolution

    In 1971 the Campaign for Real Ale was set up becoming a hugely influential movement

  30. Next Wednesday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Britain's real ale revolution

    In 1971 the Campaign for Real Ale was set up becoming a hugely influential movement (R)

  31. Next Wednesday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Britain's real ale revolution

    In 1971 the Campaign for Real Ale was set up becoming a hugely influential movement (R)

  32. Next Wednesday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Britain's real ale revolution

    In 1971 the Campaign for Real Ale was set up becoming a hugely influential movement (R)

  33. Thu 29 Oct 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Britain's real ale revolution

    In 1971 the Campaign for Real Ale was set up becoming a hugely influential movement (R)

  34. Thu 29 Oct 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Mexico's life-saving warning system

    How Mexico created the world's first public earthquake warning system

  35. Thu 29 Oct 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Mexico's life-saving warning system

    How Mexico created the world's first public earthquake warning system (R)

  36. Thu 29 Oct 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Mexico's life-saving warning system

    How Mexico created the world's first public earthquake warning system (R)

  37. Thu 29 Oct 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Mexico's life-saving warning system

    How Mexico created the world's first public earthquake warning system (R)

  38. Fri 30 Oct 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Mexico's life-saving warning system

    How Mexico created the world's first public earthquake warning system (R)

  39. Fri 30 Oct 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    George Michael's Outside: The story behind the video

    George Michael turned his 1998 Beverly Hills scandal into the hit video Outside

  40. Fri 30 Oct 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    George Michael's Outside: The story behind the video

    George Michael turned his 1998 Beverly Hills scandal into the hit video Outside (R)

  41. Fri 30 Oct 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    George Michael's Outside: The story behind the video

    George Michael turned his 1998 Beverly Hills scandal into the hit video Outside (R)

  42. Fri 30 Oct 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    George Michael's Outside: The story behind the video

    George Michael turned his 1998 Beverly Hills scandal into the hit video Outside (R)

  43. Sat 31 Oct 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet, Online & Europe and the Middle East only

    George Michael's Outside: The story behind the video

    George Michael turned his 1998 Beverly Hills scandal into the hit video Outside (R)

  44. Sun 1 Nov 2026 08:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Harry Houdini

    1904. A performance in London's West End made Harry Houdini world famous....

  45. Sun 1 Nov 2026 08:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Restoring the Statue of Liberty

    In 1984, the Statue of Liberty was rejuvenated ahead of her 100th birthday

  46. Sun 1 Nov 2026 13:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Harry Houdini

    1904. A performance in London's West End made Harry Houdini world famous....

  47. Sun 1 Nov 2026 17:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Auschwitz: An SS officer’s photo album

    In 2007, an abandoned photo album revealed the chilling normality of life in Auschwitz

  48. Sun 1 Nov 2026 19:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Harry Houdini

    1904. A performance in London's West End made Harry Houdini world famous....

  49. Mon 2 Nov 2026 03:40GMT
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Harry Houdini

    1904. A performance in London's West End made Harry Houdini world famous....

  50. Mon 2 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Family's daring steam train escape from East Berlin

    On 5 Dec 1961, driver Harry Deterling ploughed through the East German state iron curtain

  51. Mon 2 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Family's daring steam train escape from East Berlin

    On 5 Dec 1961, driver Harry Deterling ploughed through the East German state iron curtain (R)

  52. Mon 2 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Family's daring steam train escape from East Berlin

    On 5 Dec 1961, driver Harry Deterling ploughed through the East German state iron curtain (R)

  53. Mon 2 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Family's daring steam train escape from East Berlin

    On 5 Dec 1961, driver Harry Deterling ploughed through the East German state iron curtain (R)

  54. Tue 3 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Family's daring steam train escape from East Berlin

    On 5 Dec 1961, driver Harry Deterling ploughed through the East German state iron curtain (R)

  55. Tue 3 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    'I survived Typhoon Haiyan'

    In November 2013, Joanna Sustento was hit by a devastating storm in the Philippines

  56. Tue 3 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    'I survived Typhoon Haiyan'

    In November 2013, Joanna Sustento was hit by a devastating storm in the Philippines (R)

  57. Tue 3 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    'I survived Typhoon Haiyan'

    In November 2013, Joanna Sustento was hit by a devastating storm in the Philippines (R)

  58. Wed 4 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Brazil's Mariana dam disaster

    In 2015, the Fundão dam collapsed near Mariana, causing a major environmental disaster

  59. Wed 4 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Brazil's Mariana dam disaster

    In 2015, the Fundão dam collapsed near Mariana, causing a major environmental disaster (R)

  60. Wed 4 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Brazil's Mariana dam disaster

    In 2015, the Fundão dam collapsed near Mariana, causing a major environmental disaster (R)

  61. Wed 4 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Brazil's Mariana dam disaster

    In 2015, the Fundão dam collapsed near Mariana, causing a major environmental disaster (R)

  62. Thu 5 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Brazil's Mariana dam disaster

    In 2015, the Fundão dam collapsed near Mariana, causing a major environmental disaster (R)

  63. Thu 5 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

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

  64. Thu 5 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

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

  65. Thu 5 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    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)

  66. Thu 5 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    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)

  67. Fri 6 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    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)

  68. Fri 6 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Robert Prevost in Peru: The Pope's 'compadre'

    In 1985, a small town welcomed missionaries unaware one of them would one day become Pope

  69. Fri 6 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Robert Prevost in Peru: The Pope's 'compadre'

    In 1985, a small town welcomed missionaries unaware one of them would one day become Pope (R)

  70. Fri 6 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Robert Prevost in Peru: The Pope's 'compadre'

    In 1985, a small town welcomed missionaries unaware one of them would one day become Pope (R)

  71. Fri 6 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Robert Prevost in Peru: The Pope's 'compadre'

    In 1985, a small town welcomed missionaries unaware one of them would one day become Pope (R)

  72. Sat 7 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    Robert Prevost in Peru: The Pope's 'compadre'

    In 1985, a small town welcomed missionaries unaware one of them would one day become Pope (R)

  73. Mon 9 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

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

  74. Mon 9 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Witness History

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

  75. Mon 9 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    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)

  76. Mon 9 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    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)

  77. Tue 10 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    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)

  78. Tue 10 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Bangladesh: The first country to impose a plastic bag ban

    On 1 January 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban single use plastic bags

  79. Tue 10 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Bangladesh: The first country to impose a plastic bag ban

    On 1 January 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban single use plastic bags (R)

  80. Tue 10 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Bangladesh: The first country to impose a plastic bag ban

    On 1 January 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban single use plastic bags (R)

  81. Tue 10 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Bangladesh: The first country to impose a plastic bag ban

    On 1 January 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban single use plastic bags (R)

  82. Wed 11 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Bangladesh: The first country to impose a plastic bag ban

    On 1 January 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban single use plastic bags (R)

  83. Wed 11 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    11/11/2026 GMT

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

  84. Wed 11 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    11/11/2026 GMT

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

  85. Wed 11 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    11/11/2026 GMT

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

  86. Wed 11 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    11/11/2026 GMT

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

  87. Thu 12 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    11/11/2026 GMT

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

  88. Thu 12 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The founding of Malaysia’s space agency

    In 2002, Malaysia launched an open programme to find the country’s first astronaut

  89. Thu 12 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The founding of Malaysia’s space agency

    In 2002, Malaysia launched an open programme to find the country’s first astronaut (R)

  90. Thu 12 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The founding of Malaysia’s space agency

    In 2002, Malaysia launched an open programme to find the country’s first astronaut (R)

  91. Thu 12 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The founding of Malaysia’s space agency

    In 2002, Malaysia launched an open programme to find the country’s first astronaut (R)

  92. Fri 13 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The founding of Malaysia’s space agency

    In 2002, Malaysia launched an open programme to find the country’s first astronaut (R)

  93. Fri 13 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Denmark’s lost Viking ships

    In 1962, five Viking ships were excavated in a Danish fjord

  94. Fri 13 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Denmark’s lost Viking ships

    In 1962, five Viking ships were excavated in a Danish fjord (R)

  95. Fri 13 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Denmark’s lost Viking ships

    In 1962, five Viking ships were excavated in a Danish fjord (R)

  96. Fri 13 Nov 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Denmark’s lost Viking ships

    In 1962, five Viking ships were excavated in a Danish fjord (R)

  97. Sat 14 Nov 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    Denmark’s lost Viking ships

    In 1962, five Viking ships were excavated in a Danish fjord (R)

  98. Mon 16 Nov 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    16/11/2026 GMT

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

  99. Mon 16 Nov 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    16/11/2026 GMT

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

  100. Mon 16 Nov 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    16/11/2026 GMT

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