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Witness History Episodes

  1. Today 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Inventing Play-Doh

    In 1956, one of the world’s most beloved children’s toys went on sale for the first time (R)

  2. Tomorrow 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Inventing Play-Doh

    In 1956, one of the world’s most beloved children’s toys went on sale for the first time (R)

  3. Tomorrow 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    How the hoverboard was created

    In 2011, inventor Shane Chen created the motorised skateboard

  4. Tomorrow 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    How the hoverboard was created

    In 2011, inventor Shane Chen created the motorised skateboard (R)

  5. Tomorrow 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    How the hoverboard was created

    In 2011, inventor Shane Chen created the motorised skateboard (R)

  6. Tomorrow 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    How the hoverboard was created

    In 2011, inventor Shane Chen created the motorised skateboard (R)

  7. Christmas Day 2025 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    How the hoverboard was created

    In 2011, inventor Shane Chen created the motorised skateboard (R)

  8. Christmas Day 2025 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service & Live News

    Tamagotchi is born

    In 1996, the Tamagotchi was first released in Japan

  9. Christmas Day 2025 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Tamagotchi is born

    In 1996, the Tamagotchi was first released in Japan (R)

  10. Christmas Day 2025 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Tamagotchi is born

    In 1996, the Tamagotchi was first released in Japan (R)

  11. Christmas Day 2025 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Tamagotchi is born

    In 1996, the Tamagotchi was first released in Japan (R)

  12. Boxing Day 2025 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Tamagotchi is born

    In 1996, the Tamagotchi was first released in Japan (R)

  13. Boxing Day 2025 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Creating the board game Catan

    In 1995, the game debuted and has since sold more than 40 million copies worldwide

  14. Boxing Day 2025 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Creating the board game Catan

    In 1995, the game debuted and has since sold more than 40 million copies worldwide (R)

  15. Boxing Day 2025 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Creating the board game Catan

    In 1995, the game debuted and has since sold more than 40 million copies worldwide (R)

  16. Boxing Day 2025 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Creating the board game Catan

    In 1995, the game debuted and has since sold more than 40 million copies worldwide (R)

  17. Saturday 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    Creating the board game Catan

    In 1995, the game debuted and has since sold more than 40 million copies worldwide (R)

  18. Sunday 08:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    When Laurel and Hardy spent Christmas at an English pub

    In 1953, the comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy spent a few weeks at the Bull Inn.

  19. Sunday 17:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Robert Ripley and the ‘Believe It or Not’ empire

    During the Great Depression, cartoonist Robert Ripley made millions from freaky facts

  20. Next Monday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    SMS: The invention of text messaging

    The invention of the Short Message Service changed how we communicate around the world

  21. Next Monday 09:50GMT
    Live News

    SMS: The invention of text messaging

    The invention of the Short Message Service changed how we communicate around the world

  22. Next Monday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    SMS: The invention of text messaging

    The invention of the Short Message Service changed how we communicate around the world (R)

  23. Next Monday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    SMS: The invention of text messaging

    The invention of the Short Message Service changed how we communicate around the world (R)

  24. Next Monday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    SMS: The invention of text messaging

    The invention of the Short Message Service changed how we communicate around the world (R)

  25. Next Tuesday 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    SMS: The invention of text messaging

    The invention of the Short Message Service changed how we communicate around the world (R)

  26. Next Tuesday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Radio Free Europe

    Seventy-five years ago, RFE started broadcasting to audiences behind the Iron Curtain

  27. Next Tuesday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Radio Free Europe

    Seventy-five years ago, RFE started broadcasting to audiences behind the Iron Curtain (R)

  28. Next Tuesday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Radio Free Europe

    Seventy-five years ago, RFE started broadcasting to audiences behind the Iron Curtain (R)

  29. Next Tuesday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Radio Free Europe

    Seventy-five years ago, RFE started broadcasting to audiences behind the Iron Curtain (R)

  30. Next Wednesday 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Radio Free Europe

    Seventy-five years ago, RFE started broadcasting to audiences behind the Iron Curtain (R)

  31. Next Wednesday 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The longest musical composition

    In 1999, Longplayer started playing and it will continue, without repeating, until 2999

  32. Next Wednesday 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The longest musical composition

    In 1999, Longplayer started playing and it will continue, without repeating, until 2999 (R)

  33. Next Wednesday 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The longest musical composition

    In 1999, Longplayer started playing and it will continue, without repeating, until 2999 (R)

  34. Next Wednesday 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The longest musical composition

    In 1999, Longplayer started playing and it will continue, without repeating, until 2999 (R)

  35. New Year's Day 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The longest musical composition

    In 1999, Longplayer started playing and it will continue, without repeating, until 2999 (R)

  36. New Year's Day 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The American Freedom Train

    In 1975, the train began a 21 month tour of the US celebrating 200 years of independence

  37. New Year's Day 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The American Freedom Train

    In 1975, the train began a 21 month tour of the US celebrating 200 years of independence (R)

  38. New Year's Day 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The American Freedom Train

    In 1975, the train began a 21 month tour of the US celebrating 200 years of independence (R)

  39. New Year's Day 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The American Freedom Train

    In 1975, the train began a 21 month tour of the US celebrating 200 years of independence (R)

  40. Fri 2 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The American Freedom Train

    In 1975, the train began a 21 month tour of the US celebrating 200 years of independence (R)

  41. Fri 2 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    South Africa's luxury train

    In 1986, South African businessman Rohan Vos decided to launch a vintage railway business

  42. Fri 2 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    South Africa's luxury train

    In 1986, South African businessman Rohan Vos decided to launch a vintage railway business (R)

  43. Fri 2 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    South Africa's luxury train

    In 1986, South African businessman Rohan Vos decided to launch a vintage railway business (R)

  44. Fri 2 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    South Africa's luxury train

    In 1986, South African businessman Rohan Vos decided to launch a vintage railway business (R)

  45. Sat 3 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    South Africa's luxury train

    In 1986, South African businessman Rohan Vos decided to launch a vintage railway business (R)

  46. Sun 4 Jan 2026 08:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Robert Ripley and the ‘Believe It or Not’ empire

    During the Great Depression, cartoonist Robert Ripley made millions from freaky facts

  47. Sun 4 Jan 2026 17:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Wallander and the rise of Nordic Noir

    First published in 1991, Henning Mankell's novels changed the world of crime fiction

  48. Mon 5 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Hillsborough Disaster

    On 15 April 1989, there was a crowd crush at a football match in Sheffield, England

  49. Mon 5 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The Hillsborough Disaster

    On 15 April 1989, there was a crowd crush at a football match in Sheffield, England (R)

  50. Mon 5 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The Hillsborough Disaster

    On 15 April 1989, there was a crowd crush at a football match in Sheffield, England (R)

  51. Mon 5 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The Hillsborough Disaster

    On 15 April 1989, there was a crowd crush at a football match in Sheffield, England (R)

  52. Tue 6 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The Hillsborough Disaster

    On 15 April 1989, there was a crowd crush at a football match in Sheffield, England (R)

  53. Tue 6 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Isabel Allende: The House of the Spirits

    In 1982, Isabel Allende published her bestselling novel, The House of the Spirits

  54. Tue 6 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Isabel Allende: The House of the Spirits

    In 1982, Isabel Allende published her bestselling novel, The House of the Spirits (R)

  55. Tue 6 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Isabel Allende: The House of the Spirits

    In 1982, Isabel Allende published her bestselling novel, The House of the Spirits (R)

  56. Tue 6 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Isabel Allende: The House of the Spirits

    In 1982, Isabel Allende published her bestselling novel, The House of the Spirits (R)

  57. Wed 7 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Isabel Allende: The House of the Spirits

    In 1982, Isabel Allende published her bestselling novel, The House of the Spirits (R)

  58. Wed 7 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Tracey Emin’s unmade bed

    In 1999, Dame Tracey Emin’s unmade bed was nominated for the prestigious Turner art prize

  59. Wed 7 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Tracey Emin’s unmade bed

    In 1999, Dame Tracey Emin’s unmade bed was nominated for the prestigious Turner art prize (R)

  60. Wed 7 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Tracey Emin’s unmade bed

    In 1999, Dame Tracey Emin’s unmade bed was nominated for the prestigious Turner art prize (R)

  61. Wed 7 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Tracey Emin’s unmade bed

    In 1999, Dame Tracey Emin’s unmade bed was nominated for the prestigious Turner art prize (R)

  62. Thu 8 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Tracey Emin’s unmade bed

    In 1999, Dame Tracey Emin’s unmade bed was nominated for the prestigious Turner art prize (R)

  63. Thu 8 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Sazae-san: World's longest-running cartoon

    In 1969, a Japanese cartoon about a traditional family premiered on Fuji TV

  64. Thu 8 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Sazae-san: World's longest-running cartoon

    In 1969, a Japanese cartoon about a traditional family premiered on Fuji TV (R)

  65. Thu 8 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Sazae-san: World's longest-running cartoon

    In 1969, a Japanese cartoon about a traditional family premiered on Fuji TV (R)

  66. Thu 8 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Sazae-san: World's longest-running cartoon

    In 1969, a Japanese cartoon about a traditional family premiered on Fuji TV (R)

  67. Fri 9 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Sazae-san: World's longest-running cartoon

    In 1969, a Japanese cartoon about a traditional family premiered on Fuji TV (R)

  68. Fri 9 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Battle of Gallipoli

    A New Zealand soldier's account of surviving one of the worst battles of World War One

  69. Fri 9 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Battle of Gallipoli

    A New Zealand soldier's account of surviving one of the worst battles of World War One (R)

  70. Fri 9 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Battle of Gallipoli

    A New Zealand soldier's account of surviving one of the worst battles of World War One (R)

  71. Fri 9 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Battle of Gallipoli

    A New Zealand soldier's account of surviving one of the worst battles of World War One (R)

  72. Sat 10 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    Battle of Gallipoli

    A New Zealand soldier's account of surviving one of the worst battles of World War One (R)

  73. Sun 11 Jan 2026 08:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Wallander and the rise of Nordic Noir

    First published in 1991, Henning Mankell's novels changed the world of crime fiction

  74. Sun 11 Jan 2026 17:00GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Orson Welles broadcasts The War of the Worlds

    In 1938, Orson Welles terrified radio listeners with The War of the Worlds.

  75. Mon 12 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The first PC virus

    Creating the first virus for personal computers

  76. Mon 12 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The first PC virus

    Creating the first virus for personal computers (R)

  77. Mon 12 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The first PC virus

    Creating the first virus for personal computers (R)

  78. Mon 12 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The first PC virus

    Creating the first virus for personal computers (R)

  79. Tue 13 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The first PC virus

    Creating the first virus for personal computers (R)

  80. Tue 13 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The creation of the modern kitchen

    The modern kitchen was created by an Austrian architect in 1926

  81. Tue 13 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The creation of the modern kitchen

    The modern kitchen was created by an Austrian architect in 1926 (R)

  82. Tue 13 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The creation of the modern kitchen

    The modern kitchen was created by an Austrian architect in 1926 (R)

  83. Tue 13 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The creation of the modern kitchen

    The modern kitchen was created by an Austrian architect in 1926 (R)

  84. Wed 14 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The creation of the modern kitchen

    The modern kitchen was created by an Austrian architect in 1926 (R)

  85. Wed 14 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Creating Cluedo

    Blackouts during World War Two helped Anthony Pratt invent the popular family board game

  86. Wed 14 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Creating Cluedo

    Blackouts during World War Two helped Anthony Pratt invent the popular family board game (R)

  87. Wed 14 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Creating Cluedo

    Blackouts during World War Two helped Anthony Pratt invent the popular family board game (R)

  88. Wed 14 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Creating Cluedo

    Blackouts during World War Two helped Anthony Pratt invent the popular family board game (R)

  89. Thu 15 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    Creating Cluedo

    Blackouts during World War Two helped Anthony Pratt invent the popular family board game (R)

  90. Thu 15 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The deadly Vargas mudslides

    In December 1999, torrential rain in Venezuela led to deadly floods and mudslides

  91. Thu 15 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    The deadly Vargas mudslides

    In December 1999, torrential rain in Venezuela led to deadly floods and mudslides (R)

  92. Thu 15 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    The deadly Vargas mudslides

    In December 1999, torrential rain in Venezuela led to deadly floods and mudslides (R)

  93. Thu 15 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    The deadly Vargas mudslides

    In December 1999, torrential rain in Venezuela led to deadly floods and mudslides (R)

  94. Fri 16 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

    The deadly Vargas mudslides

    In December 1999, torrential rain in Venezuela led to deadly floods and mudslides (R)

  95. Fri 16 Jan 2026 08:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Afghan Star

    In 2005, a TV show to find new musical talent was launched in Afghanistan

  96. Fri 16 Jan 2026 12:50GMT
    BBC World Service

    Afghan Star

    In 2005, a TV show to find new musical talent was launched in Afghanistan (R)

  97. Fri 16 Jan 2026 18:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa

    Afghan Star

    In 2005, a TV show to find new musical talent was launched in Afghanistan (R)

  98. Fri 16 Jan 2026 23:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

    Afghan Star

    In 2005, a TV show to find new musical talent was launched in Afghanistan (R)

  99. Sat 17 Jan 2026 03:50GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only

    Afghan Star

    In 2005, a TV show to find new musical talent was launched in Afghanistan (R)

  100. Sun 18 Jan 2026 08:48GMT
    BBC Radio 4

    Orson Welles broadcasts The War of the Worlds

    In 1938, Orson Welles terrified radio listeners with The War of the Worlds.