Witness History

In 1985, one the world’s most recognisable fashion accessories was first launched – the Birkin handbag.

Its origins have since become legend. The actress and model Jane Birkin said she was on a flight to London when her bag and contents spilt over the floor.

The passenger sitting next to her remarked that she needed a bigger bag, and offered to make it for her. His name was Jean-Louis Dumas, then chief executive of the le...

On 15 July, over 300 people were killed and more than 2,100 injured when rogue soldiers commandeered warplanes, tanks and helicopters in a failed coup attempt against President Tayyip Erdogan. Some of the fiercest fighting took place on the first bridge linking Europe to Asia. It was there civilians and police confronted soldiers in deadly clashes. The waterfront neighbourhood of Çengelköy is directly below the Bosphorus bridge...

For generations, Inuit communities lived across the Arctic, travelling with the seasons and relying on the land. But in the mid-20th century, Canadian government policies, including relocations, moved many into permanent settlements, reshaping their way of life.

In the 1970s, a new generation of Inuit activists launched a movement to reclaim control over their land and push for greater autonomy.

In 1999, the newly created Nunavut ter...

In 1967, American lineman JD Thompson was working on overhead power lines in Jacksonville, Florida, when his colleague Randall Champion accidentally grasped a live cable.

Seeing his friend dangling high above the ground, JD ran over and climbed the pole to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. At the same time, local photographer Rocco Morabito just happened to be driving past and captured the moment.

The image made that evening&rsqu...

In 1916, Zurich was a beacon for refugees. Fleeing the death and destruction of World War I, artists and free-thinkers from all over Europe fled to the neutral Swiss city.

And it was here that the people who would start the art movement Dada came together. In a rare interview from 1959, held in the BBC archive, Richard Huelsenbeck describes how the group of young artists and pacifists shared a despair about the war and a disgust for...

On 9 July 2011, a new flag was raised in the city of Juba as South Sudan became the world's newest nation.

It followed a peace deal that ended a long and bloody civil war in Sudan, which had killed more than two million people.

Six months earlier, a referendum in the south of Sudan saw more than 99% of nearly four million voters choose independence.

Malual Bol Kiir was 17 at the time and had been displaced during the conflict. He tell...

On the afternoon of 10 July 1976, there was an explosion at the ICMESA chemical factory near Seveso, in northern Italy.

A cloud containing a poisonous gas called dioxin spread over the town.

For days, residents didn't realise they were in danger.

They later developed skin conditions like chloracne and thousands of animals died or had to be slaughtered.

Rachel Naylor speaks to Giuseppe Cassina, former Mayor of Seveso.

Eye-witness acco...

In the 1970s, thousands of immigrant workers living in "foyers" or workers' hostels across France stopped paying rent.

They were protesting against rent hikes and living conditions in the foyers, known for their tiny box rooms and substandard conditions, and against the racism of the housing management companies.

The strike mainly took place in foyers run by Sonacotra, formerly Sonacotral: the National company for the construction ...

In 1995, the British band Oasis released one of their biggest hits as a single from their number one album: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?

The song Wonderwall was a departure from their usual music, but it has gone on to be one of their most successful songs and was a top 10 hit in 15 countries.

It has also become an anthem for the British public and has become a key part of England’s 2026 World Cup campaign.

Nick B...

In 1962, cameras were allowed into the White House for the first televised tour of the American president’s renovated residence. And acting as the guide was one of the country’s most famous first ladies, Jackie Kennedy.

When her husband became president in 1961, Jackie had been disappointed with the “dreary” furnishings in the 132-room mansion.

So, she announced a plan, not to redecorate, but to restore the 1...

Between 1984 and 1986, to celebrate 100 years since it was dedicated, the Statue of Liberty underwent a multi-million-dollar restoration project.

The statue was a gift to the USA by France, to celebrate 100 years of American independence.

The project also restored the former immigration processing centre on the nearby Ellis Island, which became a National Museum of Immigration.

The entire project was funded by private investment. ...

In 1946, Mexican American Raoul Cortez launched the first US radio service in Spanish. Based in San Antonio, Texas, he used charm and creativity to win over advertisers in a time when Hispanic consumers weren't seen as a relevant market.

Raoul's grandson Guillermo Nicolas spoke to Stefania Gozzer about the challenges his grandfather faced to push forward in building a pioneering business that would turn him into a broadcasting mogul...

In 1955, Rosa Parks made civil rights history in the US when she refused to give up her seat on the bus.

Segregation laws in Montgomery, Alabama, meant that when a bus was full, black passengers had to stand and give up their seat to white passengers.

Her subsequent arrest sparked a boycott of the city's buses by the African American population.

Led by Dr Martin Luther King, the protest became one of the most significant campaigns of ...

In September 1997, the remains of a Native American chief were returned to the United States, more than a century after his death in England.

Chief Long Wolf, a Lakota leader, died in 1892 while touring with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.

His family knew he had been buried in London, but they didn't know where, until a British woman came across his story in a second‑hand book.

Following an exhumation, he was finally returned to...

On 18 March 1959, Hawaii was brought into the United States of America as the 50th state with the passing of the Hawaiian Admission act.

Five months later, on 21 August it was officially proclaimed the 50th state by President Eisenhower.

Former governor of Hawaii, John Waihe'e, tells Jen Dale his memories of statehood and why Hawaii's history with America means it has become a divisive issue.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by ar...

For more than 25 years, Rata de dos patas has been one of Mexico’s most recognisable - and unusual - songs. A relentless string of insults, it was made famous by the singer Paquita la del Barrio.

Composer Manuel Eduardo Toscano recalls the moment in 2000 that convinced him the song was right for Paquita, and reveals how it almost never saw the light of day. He speaks to Helen Ledwick about the song's true inspiration and how ...

In July 1916, Britain led an Allied offensive against German positions on the Western Front near the Somme river in France. The British army suffered 60,000 casualties on the first day. By the end of the battle in November, one million men had been killed or wounded. The Somme became synonymous with the horrors of war.

We hear BBC archive recordings of veterans who fought in one of the bloodiest battles in history.

This programme, f...

In 1981, Australia launched a fight against skin cancer with help from a yellow cartoon seagull and a catchy jingle.

The Slip Slop Slap campaign was created by an advertising team of Phillip Adams, Peter Best and Alex Stitt. The three men gave their services for free to help the Cancer Council Victoria charity spread the message.

Soon, Australians began to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat in response to a warning...

In June 2016, voters in the UK were asked whether they wanted to remain in the European Union or leave. It was a decision that would divide the country and reshape relations with its closest neighbours.

As the result emerged overnight, Rory Montgomery was one of the officials responsible for preparing Ireland's response.

The former diplomat remembers watching the night unfold from Dublin and tells Helen Ledwick why it mattered so muc...