Witness History

Witness History

society

<p>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. </p><p>For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific …

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Straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa

<p>On 15 December 2001, the Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened to the public after an unprecedented 11-year closure. </p><p>Famous worldwide for its dramatic lean, the tower also became, during the …

Apr 06, 2026 · 9m
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The first commercially successful electronic cigarette

<p>In the summer of 2003, pharmacist Hon Lik was one of millions of smokers in China.</p><p>He was coughing a lot and having problems with his breathing and wondered if he …

Apr 03, 2026 · 10m
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Spain welcomes Picasso’s Guernica

<p>In 1981 one of the world’s most iconic works of art – Guernica - was finally handed to Spain after a 44-year exile.</p><p>Pablo Picasso had created the huge mural in …

Apr 02, 2026 · 10m
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New Nordic cuisine

<p>In 2004, Danish food entrepreneur Claus Meyer launched the ‘Nordic Kitchen Manifesto’, kick-starting a revolution in Nordic cooking focused on local seasonal ingredients. </p><p>The new approach was most famously embodied …

Apr 01, 2026 · 10m
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The discovery of the Terra Nova shipwreck

<p>In 2012, a team of researchers discovered one of the most famous polar shipwrecks - the Terra Nova.</p><p>The ship was famous for carrying Britain’s doomed explorers in their race to …

Mar 31, 2026 · 10m
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Recommending: 13 Minutes Presents Artemis II

<p>Humans are returning to the Moon - hear all about it on the BBC’s space podcast. 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II is following Nasa’s mission to loop around the Moon, …

Mar 30, 2026 · 4m
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Echo and the elephants

<p>In 1972, the world’s longest-running study of wild elephants was first launched in Kenya, making a star of one of its subjects – Echo.</p><p>For decades, the Amboseli Elephant Research Project …

Mar 30, 2026 · 10m
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Anthony Bourdain's Don't Eat Before Reading This

<p>In April 1999, Anthony Bourdain's essay Don't Eat Before Reading This was published. </p><p>It was an unfiltered look into restaurant kitchen culture. It launched his career as a celebrity chef. …

Mar 27, 2026 · 10m
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The first Great Wall of China trek

<p>In May1984, three friends starting trekking along the Great Wall of China. It took 508 days for them to complete and they became the first people to do it. </p><p>They …

Mar 26, 2026 · 9m
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How a Maasai community in Kenya overcame a deadly drought

<p>In 2013, after losing most of their cattle, a Maasai community in Kajiado County formed an organisation to protect their land and culture.</p><p>It's called ‘Ildalalekutuk Maasai Action for Development' and …

Mar 25, 2026 · 10m
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The only Pope to visit New Zealand

<p>In November 1986, Pope John Paul II visited New Zealand as part of his longest ever world tour.</p><p>He gave an open-air mass at Auckland Domain in front of thousands of …

Mar 24, 2026 · 10m
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The reunification of Germany

<p>When the Berlin Wall fell on 9 November 1989, it marked a turning point in the Cold War in Europe and set in motion the process that led to the …

Mar 23, 2026 · 10m
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Women's rights in independent Tunisia

<p>It's 70 years since Tunisian gained independence from France.</p><p>In August 1956, it brought in a new equality law that revolutionised women's lives.</p><p>Under the socialist President Habib Bourguiba, the North African …

Mar 20, 2026 · 10m
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The 'Cyprus Emergency'

<p>Between 1955 and 1959, a Greek-Cypriot paramilitary group called EOKA rebelled against British colonial rule in Cyprus. In response, the British authorities declared a state of emergency. </p><p>A young Cypriot …

Mar 19, 2026 · 10m
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Oslo's anti-racism demonstration

<p>On 1 February 2001, at least 30,000 people rallied in Oslo after the murder of 15-year-old Benjamin Hermansen by neo-Nazis.</p><p>It is thought to be Norway's first racially motivated killing.</p><p>News reports …

Mar 18, 2026 · 10m
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The L'Amicale Four

<p>In 1999, a fire at the L’Amicale gambling house in Port Louis, Mauritius, killed seven people. The fire began during riots that followed a disputed football final between the Catholic …

Mar 17, 2026 · 10m
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The nuclear mango deal

<p>On 2 March 2006, the United States and India finalised a controversial nuclear deal, ending India's three decades of international isolation over its nuclear policy. </p><p>Sweetening the deal, President George …

Mar 16, 2026 · 11m
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Casablanca: Making one of Hollywood’s greatest movies

<p>When Warner Bros assigned twin brothers and screenwriters Julius Epstein and Philip Epstein to adapt a stage play for the big screen in 1942, no one could have predicted the …

Mar 13, 2026 · 10m
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How Rang De Basanti inspired a generation

<p>Released on India’s Republic Day in January 2006, the Hindi film Rang De Basanti, exploded onto the cultural landscape. </p><p>In its first week, it shattered box office records and inspired …

Mar 12, 2026 · 10m
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I starred in Pan’s Labyrinth

<p>In 2006, Ivana Baquero starred in Guillermo del Toro’s Spanish-language film Pan’s Labyrinth. </p><p>The film tells the story of an 11-year-old girl who meets mythical creatures on a quest to …

Mar 11, 2026 · 11m
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My father directed Seven Samurai

<p>Akira Kurosawa's film, Seven Samurai, is an epic three-and-a-half hour long black and white film set in 16th century Japan.</p><p>It was released in 1954 and was the most expensive Japanese …

Mar 10, 2026 · 10m
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Triumph of the Will: A Nazi propaganda film

<p>In 1934, one of the most controversial propaganda movies ever made - Triumph of the Will – was filmed at the Nazis’ Nuremberg rally. The two-hour picture was directed by …

Mar 09, 2026 · 10m
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The invention of the mobility scooter

<p>In 1967, American plumber Al Thieme promised his wife with multiple sclerosis that he would find her an alternative to a wheelchair.</p><p>He came up with a battery-powered seat on wheels.</p><p>He …

Mar 06, 2026 · 10m
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India’s first nuclear test

<p>In May 1974 India successfully detonated its first atomic device. It had been developed in secret with the codename Smiling Buddha. </p><p>India called it a peaceful nuclear explosion, though the …

Mar 05, 2026 · 9m
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Portugal’s worst train disaster

<p>On 11 September 1985 in Mangualde, central Portugal, an express train collided head-on with a regional train killing an estimated 150 people.</p><p>The impact destroyed both engines and the leaking diesel …

Mar 04, 2026 · 10m
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Elvis visits Scotland

<p>In 1960, as he headed home from military service, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll made an unexpected stop at Prestwick Airport.</p><p>It's believed to be the only time Elvis Presley …

Mar 03, 2026 · 11m
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Sweden’s diplomatic freeze with the USA

<p>Outraged by the Christmas bombings of Hanoi in 1972 by the USA during the Vietnam War, the Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme made a critical speech. </p><p>He compared the US’s …

Mar 02, 2026 · 9m
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Syria's secret library

<p>A group of young men in the besieged town of Darayya came together to build a secret library during the Syrian civil war, which started in 2011 and ended in …

Feb 27, 2026 · 10m
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