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
Apr 3, 2026 • 11min
The first commercially successful electronic cigarette
Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist who invented the Ruyan electronic cigarette, recalls inventing a cigarette-like vapor after struggling with heavy smoking. He describes experiments with humidifiers, discovering propylene glycol and glycerin, building and miniaturizing a prototype, testing and patenting the device, and the rapid commercial launch and ensuing controversies.
6 snips
Apr 2, 2026 • 11min
Spain welcomes Picasso’s Guernica
Rafael Fernández Quintanilla, a Spanish diplomat who helped negotiate Guernica’s return, recalls secret talks and archival sleuthing. He discusses family disputes over ownership. He describes covert packing, a dramatic flight to Madrid and the public unveiling that marked the painting’s end of exile.
6 snips
Apr 1, 2026 • 10min
New Nordic cuisine
Claus Meyer, Danish food entrepreneur and Noma co-founder who launched the Nordic Kitchen Manifesto, shares how local seasonal ingredients reshaped cooking. He recalls childhood meals, French terroir lessons, founding Noma with a local-only ingredient ethos, and rallying chefs and politicians around freshness, seasonality and localism.
5 snips
Mar 31, 2026 • 11min
The discovery of the Terra Nova shipwreck
Leighton Rolley, an oceanographer who helped locate the Terra Nova in 2012, recounts the sonar survey and discovery process. He describes spotting a 57-metre wreck on multibeam maps. Short scenes cover lowering cameras for visual ID, placing biodegradable commemorative markers, and efforts to secure legal protection for the site.
Mar 30, 2026 • 5min
Recommending: 13 Minutes Presents Artemis II
Daily coverage follows NASA’s Artemis II mission as four astronauts prepare to loop around the Moon. Behind-the-scenes work and training by thousands supporting rollout and recovery are explored. A veteran astronaut shares experience from long-duration spaceflight. The series highlights why this mission could open a new era of human lunar travel.
Mar 30, 2026 • 11min
Echo and the elephants
Dr Cynthia Moss, conservation scientist who founded the long-running Amboseli Elephant Research Project, reflects on decades with a famous matriarch, Echo. She recalls field methods like radio tracking and filming, Echo’s leadership and social routines, dramatic rescues of calves, and the toll of droughts and human conflict. Short, vivid stories bring the elephants’ lives to life.
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.
