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
Feb 25, 2026 • 11min
The Japanese invasion of Malaya
Dorothy Varayan, who lived through the Japanese invasion and occupation of Malaya as a child in Malacca, tells vivid memories of wartime life. She recalls soldiers entering homes, brutal violence against Chinese neighbours, fleeing to rubber plantations, schooling under occupation and signs that the conflict was ending. Dark discoveries after liberation and later reflections close her powerful account.
7 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 11min
The Aga Khan meets Florence Nightingale
Aga Khan III, 48th Imam and influential Muslim leader, recalls tea with nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale and their wide-ranging conversations. He describes her energy, views on faith and morality, her grasp of India’s public health, and how she inspired his work on maternal and infant welfare. Short, vivid memories bring a surprising personal side to two towering figures.
4 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 11min
The storming of Spain's parliament
Joaquín Almunia, a former Socialist MP and later EU commissioner, was an eyewitness to the 1981 storming of Spain’s parliament. He recalls hearing gunshots and seeing armed Guardia Civil enter the chamber. He describes the tense hours of captivity, makeshift coping tactics, the blackout of information and the king’s decisive broadcast that helped defuse the coup.
15 snips
Feb 20, 2026 • 11min
The playboy spy who inspired James Bond
Dusko Popov, a Serbian-born WWII double agent known for his playboy lifestyle, multilingual charm and codename 'Tricycle'. He volunteered to fight Nazism and fed crafted deception to German intelligence. Stories include his casino meeting with Ian Fleming in Estoril, high-stakes spycraft like microdots, and his controversial warning about Pearl Harbor.
6 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 10min
'I taught the Dalai Lama'
Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountaineer who spent seven years in Tibet and taught the young Dalai Lama, recalls reaching Lhasa and traveling remote high passes. He describes Lhasa’s mix of modern goods and deep Buddhist ritual. He speaks about religious festivals, teaching the Dalai Lama English and skating, and the lasting bond formed before Tibet’s geopolitical changes.
Feb 18, 2026 • 11min
The photo which symbolised Argentina’s resistance
Adriana Lestido, an Argentinian documentary photographer known for stark black-and-white images, recounts taking the 1982 'Madre y Hija' photograph. She describes arriving at the protest and the decisive moments she captured. She talks about tracking down the pictured family years later and how the image grew into a wider symbol of resistance and memory.
Feb 17, 2026 • 10min
Toxic shock syndrome and tampon safety
Nancy King-Ream, researcher and professor emerita in nursing who led independent tampon testing in the early 1980s. She recounts the TSS outbreak, the FDA tampon task force, and how lab testing of absorbency and realistic menstrual fluid led to new national standards. The story covers testing methods, industry pushback, and lasting changes to tampon labeling and safety.
5 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 11min
World War Two’s Shetland Bus
Leif Larsen, Norwegian sailor and Shetland Bus skipper who made over 50 clandestine crossings during WWII and became highly decorated. He recalls fleeing Norway and joining secret runs from Shetland. Harrowing winter crossings, smuggling agents and ammunition, dodging German patrols and air attacks. Plans to attack the Tirpitz and later upgrades to faster submarine chasers are also discussed.
13 snips
Feb 13, 2026 • 10min
The flooding of Florence
Antonina Bargellini, 22 at the time and daughter of Florence’s mayor, recalls the 1966 flood from first‑hand memory. She describes waking to streets turned to rivers, the eerie silence after waters fell, and the choking mud and stench that followed. She also remembers international aid, Franco Zeffirelli’s spotlight, and the young volunteers who rescued art and books.
Feb 12, 2026 • 10min
The Mont Blanc Tunnel
Franco Cuaz, Italian engineer who became the first operations manager of the Mont Blanc tunnel. He recalls the tunnel’s dramatic construction, deadly risks and the tense breakthrough when Italian and French teams met. The conversation covers harsh geology, avalanches, worker resolve, and the tunnel’s later dangers and legacy.
