Witness History

Discover how Pedro Zaragoza's leadership transformed Benidorm in the 1950s, from installing running water to allowing women to wear bikinis, shaping the town into a popular tourist destination on Spain's Costa Blanca.

Antonio Enríquez Savignac transformed a secluded Mexican island into Cancún in 1969, attracting over 20 million tourists yearly. His son, Juan, discusses its evolution, from infrastructure development to environmental challenges and crime issues. The podcast delves into Cancún's journey from a fishing village to a renowned tourist destination, showcasing government intervention and the legacy of Antonio's vision.

Listen to the fascinating story of Loftleioir Icelandic, the 'Hippie airline' that revolutionized transatlantic flying in the 1950s, with insights from Edda Helgason and Hans Indridason. Discover how they made transatlantic travel affordable for young Americans and the innovative strategies they used, like low fares and unique services. Explore the challenges faced by the airline industry and entertaining anecdotes from its history.

Chu Ming Silveira, a female architect, created Brazil's iconic egg-shaped telephone booth, Orelhão. The design was a huge success, with over 50,000 booths installed across Brazil. Chu Ming's innovative design influenced public phone booths in other countries as well. Despite her passing in 1997, her legacy lives on through Google's doodle in 2017, and her son, Alan Chu, sharing memories with Matt Pintus.

Guest Harry Vike, survivor of the Kielland disaster, shares his harrowing experience spending 10 hours in a lifeboat. The podcast explores the chaos and fear during the disaster, the heroic efforts to help others, and the emotional aftermath. The tragedy led to safety improvements in the oil industry.

Mary Manning, Irish shopworker, led a strike against apartheid in 1984. The strike lasted almost three years, leading to a complete ban on South African imports in Ireland. The strikers addressed the United Nations and met with Nelson Mandela. Inspiring story of perseverance and activism.

A harrowing account of the Boko Haram massacre in Gwoza in 2014, with a focus on a 14-year-old girl's terrifying experience hiding from militants. The podcast also discusses the origins of Boko Haram and the infamous schoolgirls' abduction in Chibok. Stories of surviving capture and the challenges faced by displaced people in Borno State due to the ongoing conflict with Boko Haram are shared.

Dragan Šuković, a technician at Serbian state TV during NATO bombing, shares the chaos and devastation, survival in news control room contrasted with fatalities elsewhere. Recounts harrowing experience, fear of airstrikes, and defiance in Belgrade. Details devastation, loss, and injuries at TV headquarters, propaganda accusations, and the station's return to broadcasting.

In 2008, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest at America's occupation of Iraq.George W Bush had been giving a joint press conference in Baghdad with Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki at the time. He was in his final months as president as Barack Obama was due to take over.As he threw the first shoe, Muntadhar yelled: “Here is your goodbye kiss, you dog."He tells Vicky Farncombe how he prepared for the moment and what happened to him next.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by 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 football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.(Photo: President Bush ducks after Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw a shoe. Credit: Reuters)

Charles Norman Shay, a US Army field medic on Omaha Beach on D-Day, shares his heroic actions saving comrades amidst heavy German fire. He discusses the challenges he and his fellow soldiers faced, his post-war experiences, and his dedication to honoring fallen soldiers in France.