Witness History
BBC World ServiceEye-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 t... more
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 2023 | Founded | 16 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Personal JournalsHistorySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
In 2011, Lagos Fashion Week debuted, putting Nigerian style on the map.
Omoyemi Akerele founded the event which helped to launch the careers of designers internationally.
It has grown into a major fashion event and won the 2025 Earthshot Prize for... more
In 1967, Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka tried to stop the country’s Biafra war, in which Nigeria’s Igbo people responded to violence by seceding from the rest of the country. They proclaimed a new Republic of Biafra.
When the fighting began, Soyinka w... more
When the south-east region of Nigeria declared itself to be the independent state of Biafra, civil war broke out in May 1967. More than a million people died before the fighting stopped.
In 2021, Patricia Ngozi Ebigwe, now better known as TV and mu... more
It's 25 years since the opening of the New Afrika Shrine, an open-air entertainment centre in Nigeria.
A hub for Afrobeat music and culture, it's dedicated to the legacy of Fela Kuti who pioneered the genre.
Omoyeni Anikulapo-Kuti, also known as Y... more
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Reviews
- Love the history
My mother used to listen to your show on BBC short wave here in Canada, I found you on the podcast and I’ve been listening for years and years. 🥰
Apple Podcasts5CinderDaxWolf
Canadaa month ago - Highly Recommended
Short, informative accounts of events often now generally forgotten. Keeping these stories alive.
Apple Podcasts5TWRunner
United Kingdom3 months ago - Thank you!
I just heard the story about the Jewish girl who fled to the Philippines in World War II. What a wonderful woman! So glad that she made it to the United States. And what a beautiful story. Thank you for bringing it.
Apple Podcasts5Jslt69
United States3 months ago - How the Philippines Saved Jews During World War II
Thank you for sharing in such an engaging fashion this most uplifting story, one that is generally not well known!
Apple Podcasts5675 AVUnited States3 months ago - Brilliant!
I absolutely love this podcast! BBC World Service at its finest. I love the totally random mixture of stories and voices shared here, and in such manageable bitesize chunks. From the (surprisingly recent) history of ciabatta, to the feud that led to the creation of the Puma brand, there’s nothing else quite like it. One request though: PLEASE stop playing the “from the brilliant and bizarre” ad at the end of episodes. It’s great the first time you hear it, but listening to it multiple times a we... more
Apple Podcasts5KeenBean321United Kingdom3 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #38 | United States/Society & Culture/Personal Journals |
Apple Podcasts | #12 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Personal Journals |
Apple Podcasts | #30 | Canada/Society & Culture/Personal Journals |
Apple Podcasts | #118 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #14 |  Australia/Society & Culture/Personal Journals |
Apple Podcasts | #21 |  Italy/Society & Culture/Personal Journals |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Witness History
What is Witness History about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Fascinating stories from the past come alive through first-hand accounts, making historical events accessible and engaging. Episodes span a wide range of topics, including significant historical milestones, cultural movements, and personal narratives, offering unique insights into the lives of notable figures and ordinary people during pivotal moments in history. With a consistent format that delivers richly detailed yet concise content, listeners can expect to explore diverse events—from scientific breakthroughs to wartime experiences—in just nine minutes each day. This podcast is particularly innovative, as it combines archival audio with contemporary storytelling to create a vivid historical tapestry that appeals to history enthusiasts a... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Witness History?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Witness History. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Witness History and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does Witness History get?
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What are the audience demographics for Witness History?
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How many subscribers and views does Witness History have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Witness History has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to Witness History?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Witness History:
1. The History Hour
2. The Documentary Podcast
3. Lives Less Ordinary
4. From Our Own Correspondent
5. The Inquiry
How many episodes of Witness History are there?
Witness History launched 16 years ago and published 2023 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Witness History?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Witness History?
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What guests have appeared on Witness History?
Recent guests on Witness History include:
1. Patricia Ngozi Ebigwe
2. Yeni Kuti
3. Sani Kukasheka Usman
4. Doug Sweetland
5. Aydan Özoğuz
6. Mohamed Nasheed
7. Jean-Pierre Fourcade
8. Greg Newby
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.