This Week in History
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
Episodes
June 29th to July 5th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.29th June 1613: The original Globe Theatre burns down mid-performance.30th June 1967: Major Robert H. Lawrence, Jr. becomes the first African-American to be selected as an astronaut.2nd July 1928: The 1928 Equal Franchise Act grants all women in the UK over the age of 21 the right to vote, and puts them on an equal foot
June 22nd to June 28th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.25th June 1947: Anne Frank's diary is published for the first time.24th June 1374: People begin dancing uncontrollably in the city of Aachen, Germany, in what comes to be known as St John's Dance26th June 1974: A packet of gum becomes the first product to be sold using a barcode.
June 15th to June 21st
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.18 June 1984 - 'The Battle of Orgreave' sees police officers clash with striking miners.16 June 1824 - The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (now known as the RSPCA) is formed.21 June 1948 - The world’s first stored-program computer is switched on in Manchester.
June 8th to June 14th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life..8th June 793: A Viking raid on the island of Lindisfarne marks the beginning of the Viking Age in Europe.9th June 1975: The first live transmission from the House of Commons is broadcast on the radio.9th June 1898: China leases Hong Kong to Britain for 99 years.
June 1st to June 7th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.6 June 1944: Allied forces begin their assault on Nazi occupied France in an invasion officially called Operation Overlord but more commonly known as D-Day. 5 June 1963: Scandal erupts at Westminster, when John Profumo resigns from government after confessing to an affair with the model Christine Keeler. 5 June 1833: Ad
May 25th to May 31st
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.25th May 1895: Oscar Wilde is sentenced to two years hard labour for the crime of gross indecency. 27th May 1703: St Petersburg is founded on the banks of the Neva River25th May 1659: Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector, leading to the restoration of the monarchy. Charles II lands at Dover exactly one year later.
May 18th to May 24th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.23 May 1618 - Second Defenestration of Prague leads to the Thirty Years War
24th May 1844 - first telegraph message sent
21st May 1780 - Elizabeth Fry is born
May 11th to May 17th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.16th May 1943 - Operation Chastise: No. 617 Squadron RAF begins the famous Dambusters Raid
13th May 1787 - The First Fleet sets sail for Botany Bay, Australia, with 11 ships and over 700 convicts
17th May 1861 - The first color photograph, of a tartan ribbon is shown by Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell to the Roya
May 4th to May 10th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.4th May 1990 - Latvia declares its independence
10th May 1857 - Indian rebellion against British rule by the East India Company begins
10th May 1824 - The National Gallery first opens at 100 Pall Mall
April 27th to May 3rd
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.2nd May 1982 - The Argentine navy cruiser General Belgrano is controversially sunk by a British nuclear submarine during the Falklands War.
1st May 1707 - The Act of Union unites England and Scotland to form Great Britain.
3rd May 1978 - Marketing manager Gary Thuerk sends the first spam email.
April 20th to April 26th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.23rd April 1984 - The virus which causes HIV/AIDS is discovered.
21st April 1509 - Henry VIII accedes to the English throne.
25th April 1859 - The construction of the Suez canal begins.
April 13th to April 19th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.13th April 1970 - An explosion on board Apollo 13 threatens the lives of three astronauts.
16th April 1616 - William Harvey begins publicising the pioneering medical theory that blood circulates around the body.
18th April 1930 - Listeners who tuned in to the BBC for the 845pm bulletin were told 'there is no news'.
April 6th to April 12th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.10th April 1815 - Mount Tambora erupts, the largest in recorded history. For two years particles stay in the air across the globe, inspiring various artworks.
6th April 1994 - A plane carrying President Habyarimana of Rwanda and the Burundian President Ntaryamira is shot down, sparking the start of the Rwandan Genocide
March 30th to April 5th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.1st April 2001 - Slobodan Milošević, the former president of The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, surrenders to police special forces.
4th April 1968 - The civil rights activist Martin Luther King is assassinated.
1st April 1748 - The ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii are discovered.
March 23rd - March 29th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.23 March 1900 - Excavations begin at Knossos, Crete, revealing the Bronze Age Minoan civilisation
27 March 1963 - The Beeching report is published, leading to mass railway closures in the UK
26 March 1778 - Beethoven gives his first concert at the age of 7, he dies on the same day in 1827
March 16th to March 22nd
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.March 21st In 1556 - the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, was burnt at the stake in Oxford during the reign of Queen Mary.
March 17th 1921 - the first family planning clinic opened in Holloway, North London, by Marie Stopes.
March 20th 1966 - the World Cup trophy was stolen from its display in
March 9th to March 15th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.March 11th - In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev was named the Soviet Union's new leader.
March 11th - In 1702, Britain's first daily newspaper - The Daily Courant - began publication.
March 15th - In 44BC - the Ides of March - the Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, was assassinated by a group of senators.
March 2nd to March 8th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 2nd to 8th MarchMarch 7th - 1876 Alexander Graham Bell receives a patent for the telephone in the US
March 2nd - 1965 One of the most popular musical films of all time, "The Sound of Music," premieres
March 4th 1522 - Anne Boleyn makes her debut at the English court at the Green Castle pageant.
February 23rd to March 1st
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 23rd February to 1st March24th February 1999 - The Metropolitan police force was branded "institutionally racist" by the Macpherson Report which examined the murder of the black teenager, Stephen Lawrence.
1st March 1565 - The city of Rio de Janeiro was founded by the Portuguese.
26th February 1839 - The
16th - 22nd February
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 16th - 22nd February16th February 1959 - Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro is sworn in as prime minister.
21st February 1804 - The world's first railway journey takes place.
22nd of February 1797 - The last Invasion of Britain; French soldiers land at Fishguard… but are soon captured.
9th to 15th February
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 9th to 15th February13th February 1258 - Five centuries of Abbasid rule ends when Baghdad falls to the Mongols.
11th February 1990 - Nelson Mandela is released from prison after 27 years.
15th February 1971 - Britain converts to decimal currency. Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown.
2nd to 8th February
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 2nd to 8th February7th February 1974 - British Prime Minster Edward Heath calls a snap general election as the country grapples with a miners’ strike and an energy crisis.
5th February 1919 - Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith challenge the Hollywood power structure by forming
26th January - 1st February
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 26th January to 1st February27th Jan 1945 - The liberation of Auschwitz. 1st Feb 1884 - The first fascicle of The Oxford English Dictionary 'A-Ant' is published30th Jan 1972 - Bloody Sunday Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown
19th to 25th of January
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 19th to 25th of January.20th Jan 1265 - The first English Parliament met at Westminster Hall. 24th Jan 1961 - A US Air force plane carrying two Hydrogen bombs broke up mid-air over North Carolina.19th Jan 1903 - A new bicycle race was announced "Tour de France".Presented by Caroline Nicholls and Ron Brown.
12th to 18th January
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 12th to 18th January16th January 1547 - Ivan The Terrible becomes the first Tsar of Russia.16th January 1950 - The first edition of "Listen With Mother" is broadcast on the BBC Light Programme.17th January 1921 - The first public performance of the illusion of sawing a person in half is given at Finsbury Park
5th to 11th January
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 5th to 11th January5th January 1066 - Death of Edward the Confessor leading to a succession crisis.11th January 1922- Leonard Thompson is the first patient to receive an insulin injection for diabetes.5th January 1971 - The first One Day International cricket match is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Pr
1 January 1951 - Celebrating 75 Years of The Archers
As The Archers celebrates its 75th anniversary, This Week In History takes a look at the development of the drama, and we hear what life was like in Britain in January 1951. How did rationing affect everyday life? What else were people listening to on the wireless? And how did Barwick Green, a song from 1924, come to be chosen as The Archers theme tune?Produced by Amanda Litherland
With thanks to
29th December to 4th January
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 29th December to 4th January31st December 1600 - Queen Elizabeth I grants The East India Company a Royal Charter.
29th December 1170 - The death of Thomas Becket.
4th January 1912 - The Boy Scouts Association is granted its Royal Charter by King George V.Presented by Ron Brown and Jane Steel.
22nd to 28th December
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 22nd to 28th December22nd December 1972 - The Chilean Air Force finds fourteen survivors of a plane crash in the Andes, ten weeks after it happened.
25th December 800 - Charlemagne is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III.
26th December 1860 - Hallam FC and Sheffield FC contest the first ever match betwe
15th to 21st December
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 15th to 21st December16th December 1707 - The last recorded eruption of Mount Fuji in Japan.
18th December 1917 - The Soviet government recognises Finland's independence.
19th December 1843 - "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is published.Presented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles.
8th to 14th December
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 8th to 14th December
12th December 1963 - Jomo Kenyatta leads Kenya to independence
13th December 2003 - Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured by US forces near his hometown of Tikrit
9th December 1952 - The Great Smog of London finally clearsPresented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown
1st to 7th December
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 1st to 7th December
4th December 1961 - Announcement of birth control pill approval and use on NHS
5th December 1933 - End of prohibition in the US
4th of December 1154 Pope Adrian IV elected – the only Englishman to ascend to papacyPresented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles
24th to 30th November
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 24th to 30th November28th November 1893 - Women vote for the first time in New Zealand
24th November 1974 - Lucy, the most complete early human skeleton, is discovered
24th November 1852 - Matthew C Perry sets out on a 'diplomatic' mission to Japan.Presented by Caroline Nicholls and Ron Brown
17th to 23rd November
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: the 17th to the 23rd of November17th November 1558 - The Death of Queen Mary the First
22nd November 1963 - John F. Kennedy is assassinated
23rd November 1963 - Doctor Who debuts on BBC TelevisionPresented by Ron Brown and Viji Alles
Produced by Amanda Litherland and Sofie Vilcins
10th to 16th November
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 10th to 16th November11th November 1918 - A republic was declared in Poland
14th November 1680 - Gottfried Kirch discovers the Great Comet
16th November 1979 - Anthony Blunt is revealed as the 'fourth man' in the Cambridge spy ringPresented by Viji Alles and Ron Brown
3rd to 9th November
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 3rd to 9th November3rd November 1534 - English parliament passes the Act of Supremacy
9th November 1938 - Kristallnacht
4th November 1922 - Discovery of Tutankhamun's tombPresented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown
October 27th to November 2nd
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 27th October to 2nd November31st October 1984 - Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi is assassinated
28th October 1726 - "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift is published.
30th October 1974 - Muhammad Ali defeats George Foreman in 'The Rumble In The Jungle'Presented by Viji Alles and Caroline Nicholls
Prod
October 20th - October 26th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 20th October to 26th October - 25th October, 1400 - The death of the 'Father of English Poetry', Geoffrey Chaucer.
- 21st October, 1805 - The Battle of Trafalgar: a British naval victory that would shape the nation's imperial future and identity.
- 21st October, 1966 - A colliery spoil tip collapses in the v
October 13th - October 19th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: The 13th to the 19th of October.- 19th October 1987 Shares plunge after Wall Street crash - aka Black Monday
- 13th October 1884 International Meridian Conference in Washington establishes Greenwich as the Universal Prime Meridian of longitude
- 14th October 1926 A.A. Milne’s book Winnie-The-Pooh releasedPres
Oct 6th - Oct 12th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: the 6th to the 12th October.
8th October 1769 - James Cook and the crew of HMS Endeavour land in New Zealand
9th October 2012 - 15 year old Malala Yousafzai survives a shooting by the Taliban.
9th October 1446 - King Sejong the Great creates the Korean Hangul alphabet.
September 29th - October 5th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 29th September to 5th October- 3rd October 1990. East and West Germany were officially reunified.
- 29th September 1829. Formation of The Metropolitan police, London's first official police force.
- 5th October 1962. The first James Bond film, Dr. No, had its world premiere.
September 22nd - September 28th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 22nd September to 28th September- 22nd September 1692. The last eight victims are hanged in the Salem Witch trials
- 22nd September 1968. A ceremony takes place to mark the relocation of the ancient Egyptian Abu Simbel temples
- 25th September 1066. King Harold II wins the Battle of Stamford Bridge.Read by Ro
September 15th - September 21st
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 15th September to 21st September- 16th September 1620. The Mayflower sets sail from Plymouth to America
- 19th September 1960. Britain deploys it's first Traffic Wardens
- 21st September 1915. Cecil Chubb purchases Stonehenge
September 8th - September 14th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 8th - 14th September- 9th September 1976. Death of Mao Zedong
- 12th September 1846. HMS Terror and HMS Erebus, the British expedition searching for a Northwest Passage, become trapped in ice.
- 12th September 1940. Discovery of the Lascaux Cave Paintings
Presented by Viji Alles and Jane Steel.
Producers: S
September 1st - September 7th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 1st September to 7th September- 1st September 1939. Operation Pied Piper begins, evacuating British children to the countryside
- 7th September 1936. The last captive Thylacine, commonly known as the Tasmanian Tiger, dies in a zoo in Australia
- 3rd September 1967. Sweden begins driving on the right-hand side
August 25th - August 31st
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: August 25th - August 31st
- 27th August 1896. The British Empire defeat the sultanate of Zanzibar in the
August 18th - August 24th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: August 18th - August 24th
- 20th of August 1968. Soviet-led forces invade Czechoslovakia and crush the r
August 11th - August 17th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: August 4th - August 10th
- 15th of August 1947. Indian Independence began and the country woke to 'life
August 4th - August 10th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: August 4th - August 10th
- 6th of August 1945. An atomic bomb is dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshi
July 28th - August 3rd
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: July 28th - August 3rd
- 3rd of August 1936. The African-American athlete Jesse Owens wins the first of
July 21st - July 27th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: July 21st - July 27th
- 26th of July 1956 - When the Suez Canal Company was nationalised in Egypt, it be
July 14th - July 20th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: July 14th - July 20th
- 16th of July 1969 - The Apollo 11 spacecraft launches in to space, and sets down
July 7th - July 13th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: July 7th - July 13th
- 8th of July 1099 - In the first Crusade, Christians take part in the Siege of
June 30th - July 6th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: June 30th - July 6th
1. 1st of July 1858 - The theory of evolution is first heard in public at The Linne
June 23rd - June 29th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: June 23rd - June 29th
1. 25th of June 1950 - North Korea invades South Korea, beginning the Korean War
2
June 16th - June 22nd
Fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week. June 16th - June 22nd
- 16th of June 1961. At Le Bourget Airport in Paris, the ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev
June 9 - June 15
Fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week. June 9th - 15th
- 12th June 1215. King John signs the Magna Carta at Runnymede, enshrining the right t
June 2nd - June 8th
Fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week. June 2nd - June 8th
- 5th of June 1989. On Chang’an Avenue in Beijing one man stands alone, blocking of a c
May 26 - June 1st
Fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week. May 26th – June 1st
- 29th May 1953. At 1130 in the morning, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay stood a
May 19 - May 25
Fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week. May 19th – May 25th
- 20th of May 1948. It used to be a German owned boat, used throughout the Second
May 12 - May 18
Fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week. May 12th – May 18th
- 13th of May 1981. While conducting blessings to a crowd in St Peter's Square, Po
May 5 - May 11
Fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week. May 5th – May 11th
- 8th of May 1945. Nazi Germany surrenders unconditionally to the Allied forces, an
April 28 - May 4
Fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week. April 28th – May 4th
- 30th of April 1945. Deep beneath the Reich Chancellery in Berlin, Adolf Hitler
April 21 - April 27
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to lifeBBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week. April 21st – April 27th
- 26th of April 1986. The Chernobyl power plant saw the worst nuclear accident i
April 14 - April 20
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to lifeBBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week. April 14th – April 20th
- 14th of April 1865. On a fateful night at Ford's Theatre, Abraham Lincoln beca
April 7 - April 13
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to lifeBBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world, and made us who we are today.This week. April 7th – April 13th
- 11th of April 1961. The Trail of the senior Nazi official Adolf Eichmann begin
March 31 - April 6
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to lifeBBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world, and made us who we are today.This week. March 31st – April 6th
- 1st of April 2001. The world's first legal gay marriages take place in Amsterd
