This Week in History

BBC Radio 4

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Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.

1 DAY AGO

February 23rd to March 1st

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. This week: 23rd February to 1st March 24th 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 first Grand National was run at Aintree. Then called the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, it was won by a horse called Lottery

6 min
16 FEB

16th - 22nd February

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. This week: 16th - 22nd February 16th 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.

5 min
9 FEB

9th to 15th February

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. This week: 9th to 15th February 13th 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.

6 min
2 FEB

2nd to 8th February

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. This week: 2nd to 8th February 7th 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 their own film studio - United Artists. 2nd February 1709 - A decade before the publication of Daniel Defoe's 'Robinson Crusoe', Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk is rescued after spending four years marooned on an island in the South Pacific. Presented by Viji Alles and Jane Steel.

5 min
26 JAN

26th January - 1st February

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. This week: 26th January to 1st February 27th Jan 1945 - The liberation of Auschwitz. 1st Feb 1884 - The first fascicle of The Oxford English Dictionary 'A-Ant' is published 30th Jan 1972 - Bloody Sunday Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown

6 min
19 JAN

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.

6 min
12 JAN

12th to 18th January

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. This week: 12th to 18th January 16th 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 Empire. Presented by Ron Brown and Viji Alles.

5 min
5 JAN

5th to 11th January

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. This week: 5th to 11th January 5th 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. Presented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles.

6 min

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.

Creator

BBC Radio 4
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

49
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© (C) BBC 2026
Show Website

This Week in History
Provider

Personal Journals

Personal Journals

Updated 18 Mar
History

History

Updated 3 Mar