Witness History
BBC World Service
Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by and curious about 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 how the Excel spreadsheet was developed, the creation of cartoon rabbit Miffy and how the sound barrier was broken.We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: the moment Reagan and Gorbachev met in Geneva, Haitian singer Emerante de Pradines’ life and Omar Sharif’s legendary movie entrance in Lawrence of Arabia.You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, like the invention of a stent which has saved lives around the world; the birth of the G7; and the meeting of Maldives’ ministers underwater. We cover everything from World War Two and Cold War stories to Black History Month and our journeys into space.
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Mar 27, 2026 • 11min
Anthony Bourdain's Don't Eat Before Reading This
Philippe Lajournay, restaurateur and former Les Halles boss, shares first‑hand recollections of Anthony Bourdain. He recounts the shockwaves from Bourdain’s candid New Yorker piece. Short, vivid stories cover kitchen secrets, a transformative Tokyo trip, the rise to TV fame, and their close friendship and plans to retire together.
Mar 26, 2026 • 10min
The first Great Wall of China trek
Dong Yaohui, lifelong Great Wall researcher and expedition leader who completed the first full trek in 1984–85. He recalls standing on the wall and imagining its builders. He describes the hardships of a 508‑day march, scarce water and brutal weather. He talks about meeting villagers who preserved builders' traditions and the surprise of sudden national recognition.
Mar 25, 2026 • 11min
How a Maasai community in Kenya overcame a deadly drought
Dalmas Tiampati, Maasai community leader who founded Ildala Leketuk to restore land and resilience. He recounts catastrophic livestock loss and community collapse. He explains grassroots consultations, land-restoration, water projects and revived pastoral mobility. He reflects on sharing Maasai resilience and culture with the wider world.
Mar 24, 2026 • 11min
The only Pope to visit New Zealand
Michael Jarka, a Polish–New Zealand community member who performed in a Polish dance group, recalls being at Pope John Paul II's 1986 open-air Mass in Auckland. He describes the packed Domain, costume preparations and rehearsals, the Maori welcome and cultural performances. He also remembers Solidarity banners in the crowd and the Pope's powerful call for peace and faith.
6 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 11min
The reunification of Germany
Joachim Bitterlich, senior advisor to Chancellor Helmut Kohl during reunification, offers first-hand recollections. He recounts the chaotic night the Wall fell. He describes Kohl’s rapid ten-point plan and tense diplomacy with Gorbachev, European leaders and the US. He reflects on the treaty that restored German sovereignty and the long work of rebuilding a united nation.
6 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 10min
Women's rights in independent Tunisia
Saida El-Gayed, founding member of the Tunisian Women's Union and journalist, recalls campaigning for post-independence reforms. She discusses the 1956 personal status code, grassroots outreach in rural areas, educating girls about rights and contraception, and efforts to win men's support for change. The conversation highlights legal reforms like banning polygamy and expanding abortion access.
5 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 10min
The 'Cyprus Emergency'
Renos Leshotis, a former Cypriot lawyer and youth leader who was imprisoned during the 1950s insurgency, recounts his time in EOKA and the struggle for Enosis. He describes courtroom defenses, leading youth activities, brutal interrogation tactics and nearly two years in Pila prison. Personal friendships, a human rights complaint and reflections on independence and its aftermath also feature.
Mar 18, 2026 • 11min
Oslo's anti-racism demonstration
Luciana Parvaneh Zehi, childhood friend of Benjamin Hermansen, gives a vivid first-person account of his life and the murder. She recounts local neo-Nazi threats in Holmlia. She describes the shock of the attack, the discovery of Nazi memorabilia, and the torch-lit mass mobilisation of tens of thousands in Oslo. She reflects on political reactions, legal outcomes, and the long-lasting personal and social impact.
5 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 10min
The L'Amicale Four
Imran Samudhi, a Mauritian bakery owner who spent nearly two decades in prison as one of the L'Amicale Four, recounts his life before and after conviction. He describes the tense football match that sparked riots, the deadly gambling house fire, alleged police pressure and contested witness IDs. He talks about long imprisonment, family loss, a later legal review and ongoing questions about justice.
Mar 16, 2026 • 11min
The nuclear mango deal
Ronen Sen, a career Indian diplomat and former ambassador to the US, recalls steering the 2006 US–India nuclear negotiations. He describes tense, technical talks at Hyderabad House. He explains why Washington made an unprecedented exception on safeguards and how lifting the mango ban became a symbolic diplomatic sweetener. He reflects on the deal’s finalisation and its lasting political legacy.
