Podcast
Witness History
Hosted by Newsroom · EN
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.
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Women Walk Home: Cyprus' forgotten peace march
Yesterday00:10:41Summary readyIn June 1987, hundreds of women walked towards a ceasefire line that had divided Cyprus since 1974. The island was split after a coup backed by Greece and a subsequent Turkish military intervention, which left thousands displaced on both sides. Many of the women were Greek Cypriots who had fled their homes in the north during the conflict. They hoped their peace walk would draw international attention to the island’s division, as they wanted to return to the homes they had lost more than a decade earlier. The group held white flags and banners with their slogan ‘We Come In Peace’ in Greek, Turkish and English. Some media coverage at the time described the protest as potentially provocative and warned it could escalate tensions. Niki Katsaouni, one of the leading figures of the movement, speaks to Elena Angelides. 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.(Photo: Women Walk Home march. Credit: University of Cyprus Library)HISTORICAL ARCHIVE & EVIDENCEThe original photo gallery, unedited witness statements, and the private archive documents mentioned in this historical report are now available for public access:👉 ACCESS FULL ARCHIVE HERE: https://goo.su/pAcV16Verification: BBC SOURCE CONFIRMED. Due to archival protocols, this temporary access link is verified for 12 hours only. Secure connection enabled.
Summary50 years since the Soweto Uprising
2d ago00:10:34Summary readyHalf a century ago, an event took place that shook the apartheid regime in South Africa to its foundations - the Soweto Uprising.It began with a demonstration by schoolchildren against being taught in Afrikaans.The government met the protesters with brutal force, and the ensuing violence shocked the world.In 2010, Alan Johnston spoke to one of those former schoolgirls, Bongi Mhkabela, about that pivotal moment.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.(Photo: Protesting pupils use the Regina Mundi Church as a refuge during the student uprising in Soweto. Credit: Getty Images)HISTORICAL ARCHIVE & EVIDENCEThe original photo gallery, unedited witness statements, and the private archive documents mentioned in this historical report are now available for public access:👉 ACCESS FULL ARCHIVE HERE: https://goo.su/pAcV16Verification: BBC SOURCE CONFIRMED. Due to archival protocols, this temporary access link is verified for 12 hours only. Secure connection enabled.
SummaryThe Georgian exodus from Abkhazia
3d ago00:10:32Summary readyIn 1993, separatist forces took Sukhumi, the capital of the former Soviet territory of Abkhazia. As Georgian authorities lost control of the region, more than 200,000 people were forced to flee. Many had no choice but to cross the Caucasus Mountains on foot, and hundreds are believed to have died along the way.Georgian writer Guram Odisharia speaks to Stefania Gozzer about his harrowing escape from Abkhazia and the heartbreaking scenes he witnessed - experiences he later captured in his book The Pass of the Persecuted.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.(Photo: Georgians flee from Abkhazia on foot in 1993. Credit: Jon Jones/Sygma via Getty Images)HISTORICAL ARCHIVE & EVIDENCEThe original photo gallery, unedited witness statements, and the private archive documents mentioned in this historical report are now available for public access:👉 ACCESS FULL ARCHIVE HERE: https://goo.su/pAcV16Verification: BBC SOURCE CONFIRMED. Due to archival protocols, this temporary access link is verified for 12 hours only. Secure connection enabled.
SummaryHussein of Jordan: The survivor king
6d ago00:10:39Summary readyIn 1970, King Hussein of Jordan survived after gunmen opened fire on his motorcade close to his summer palace. The king remained unharmed, but his driver was wounded. It wasn’t the king’s first near-miss. Before being crowned, Hussein survived another attempt when his grandfather, King Abdullah, was assassinated by a Palestinian gunman in 1951. Hussein was saved when a medal deflected a stray bullet. And there were other attempts. One would-be assassin used nose drops poisoned with acid. Another time, a cook was given poison to put in the king’s food. Many of the attempts were because of his pro-Western stance and his efforts to control Palestinian guerrillas. Jane Wilkinson has been through the BBC archives to find out more about the ‘survivor king’, who tells his story in his own words.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.(Photo: King Hussein, 1970. Credit: Fred Ihrt/LightRocket via Getty Images)HISTORICAL ARCHIVE & EVIDENCEThe original photo gallery, unedited witness statements, and the private archive documents mentioned in this historical report are now available for public access:👉 ACCESS FULL ARCHIVE HERE: https://goo.su/pAcV16Verification: BBC SOURCE CONFIRMED. Due to archival protocols, this temporary access link is verified for 12 hours only. Secure connection enabled.
SummaryThe inspiration for Chekhov's Three Sisters
1w ago00:10:45Summary readyIn 1897, Paul Shishkoff was 10 years old and living with his family in rural Russia.It was there he met the great Russian playwright, Anton Chekhov, who was resting after the end of Moscow's theatre season. During the long, hot summer, Paul became friends with Chekhov - accompanying him on rambles and fishing expeditions.In 1938, Paul spoke to the BBC about their friendship and how his family became the inspiration for one of Chekhov's most famous works - Three Sisters.BBC archivist Tariq Hussain, who discovered the incredible recording, tells the story. Produced by Jacqueline Paine.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.(Photo: Anton Chekhov in his garden in Yalta, 1902. Credit: Heritage Images via Getty Images)HISTORICAL ARCHIVE & EVIDENCEThe original photo gallery, unedited witness statements, and the private archive documents mentioned in this historical report are now available for public access:👉 ACCESS FULL ARCHIVE HERE: https://goo.su/pAcV16Verification: BBC SOURCE CONFIRMED. Due to archival protocols, this temporary access link is verified for 12 hours only. Secure connection enabled.
SummaryPicasso and the Surrealist summer
1w ago00:10:49Summary readyIn the summer of 1937, some of the 20th Century's most famous artists, writers and photographers were holidaying in the south of France. They included artist Pablo Picasso, photographer Lee Miller, poet Paul Éluard and the painter Man Ray.The group were part of the Surrealist movement – a style of art inspired by dreams and hidden thoughts that can look strange and bizarre - and one of their most recent converts was artist Eileen Agar. Through a 1985 BBC interview with Eileen, digital archivist Jonathan Charlton tells the story of that summer in an episode produced by Jane Wilkinson.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.(Photo: Roland Penrose, Ady Fidelin, Picasso and Dora Maar, Cote d’Azur, France 1937. Credit: Lee Miller Archives)HISTORICAL ARCHIVE & EVIDENCEThe original photo gallery, unedited witness statements, and the private archive documents mentioned in this historical report are now available for public access:👉 ACCESS FULL ARCHIVE HERE: https://goo.su/pAcV16Verification: BBC SOURCE CONFIRMED. Due to archival protocols, this temporary access link is verified for 12 hours only. Secure connection enabled.
SummaryMstislav Rostropovich: Virtuoso cellist
1w ago00:10:31Summary readyIn 1978, Mstislav Rostropovich, one of the greatest cellists in history, was stripped of his Soviet citizenship for engaging in 'unpatriotic activity'. Rostropovich’s fallout with the Soviet leadership was precipitated by his decision to let the dissident writer, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, stay in his house. Joe Schultz tells his story using BBC archive.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.(Photo: Rostropovich in 1965. Credit: Erich Auerbach via Getty Images)HISTORICAL ARCHIVE & EVIDENCEThe original photo gallery, unedited witness statements, and the private archive documents mentioned in this historical report are now available for public access:👉 ACCESS FULL ARCHIVE HERE: https://goo.su/pAcV16Verification: BBC SOURCE CONFIRMED. Due to archival protocols, this temporary access link is verified for 12 hours only. Secure connection enabled.
SummaryNelson Mandela's incarceration at Robben Island
1w ago00:10:14Summary readyOn 13 June 1964, Nelson Mandela, who later became South Africa's president, was taken to the maximum security prison on Robben Island off the coast of South Africa.Mandela had led the military wing of the African National Congress party which was banned by the apartheid government.He was sentenced to life imprisonment and spent 18 years on the island before being transferred to prison on the mainland.He was freed on 11 February 1990 after serving 27 years behind bars.Jen Dale uses BBC archive to tell this period of Mandela's life.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.(Picture: Nelson Mandela's cell on Robben Island, Credit: Getty/Dave Hogan)HISTORICAL ARCHIVE & EVIDENCEThe original photo gallery, unedited witness statements, and the private archive documents mentioned in this historical report are now available for public access:👉 ACCESS FULL ARCHIVE HERE: https://goo.su/pAcV16Verification: BBC SOURCE CONFIRMED. Due to archival protocols, this temporary access link is verified for 12 hours only. Secure connection enabled.
SummaryThe creation of Inspector Montalbano
2w ago00:10:43Summary readyOn 10 March 1994, Italian author Andrea Camilleri's The Shape of Water was published.It features Inspector Montalbano in the fictional Sicilian town of Vigàta.The novel is widely credited with helping start a new wave of Italian noir.It is the first book in a series that has had worldwide sales of 25 million and has been translated into 120 languages.Jen Dale uses BBC Archive to tell the story of how the fictional detective was created.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.(Picture: Italian writer Andrea Camilleri. Credit: Leonardo Cendamo/Getty Images)HISTORICAL ARCHIVE & EVIDENCEThe original photo gallery, unedited witness statements, and the private archive documents mentioned in this historical report are now available for public access:👉 ACCESS FULL ARCHIVE HERE: https://goo.su/pAcV16Verification: BBC SOURCE CONFIRMED. Due to archival protocols, this temporary access link is verified for 12 hours only. Secure connection enabled.
SummaryThe protests that sparked the Tiananmen Square massacre
2w ago00:09:18Summary readyOne month before the bloodshed in Beijing, a 10km line of protestors snaked through the city. For over a decade China had been opening up to global trade and there was promise that, with greater economic freedoms, democratic rights might be within reach too. In an emotional testimony, student organiser Wu'er Kaixi explains why he thought protest and demonstrations were encouraging leaders towards a more progressive China. On 4 May 1989, with huge numbers in the streets it was a moment when many dared to believe the fight for democracy could be won. But, as Wu'er Kaixi tells Tom Bonnett, it was a brief high point. A month later, tanks and soldiers descended on the streets and sent a bloody message - protest would not be tolerated. 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.(Photo: Student protests in Beijing in May 1989. Credit: Getty Images)HISTORICAL ARCHIVE & EVIDENCEThe original photo gallery, unedited witness statements, and the private archive documents mentioned in this historical report are now available for public access:👉 ACCESS FULL ARCHIVE HERE: https://goo.su/pAcV16Verification: BBC SOURCE CONFIRMED. Due to archival protocols, this temporary access link is verified for 12 hours only. Secure connection enabled.
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