Witness History: Archive 2013

BBC World Service
  • 4.5 (12)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS

The story of our times told by the people who were there.

  1. 12/31/2013

    Edith Piaf

    In 1963, the funeral of the legendary French singer brought Paris to a standstill. In this programme, Piaf's friends and lovers recall the career of the "Little Sparrow".

    9 min

  2. 12/30/2013

    Anti-Shah Demonstrations in Iran

    Millions of people took to the streets of Iran's main cities in December 1978. They were demonstrating against the Shah and his authoritarian government. Hear from two men who took part in the protests: Sadeq Zibakalam and Abbas Milani. Photo: Demonstrators in 1978. Associated Press.

    9 min

  3. 12/27/2013

    Prison Camp in WW2 Manila, Philippines

    Thousands of foreign civilians were interned in camps when Japanese troops occupied the Philippines in World War II. Many of the inmates suffered from acute malnutrition. We hear the story of one boy, Desmond Malone, who was interned at the Santo Tomas camp in Manila. Photo: American inmates of the Santo Tomas internment camp after liberation by US forces in February 1945 (AP Photo/Pool)

    9 min

  4. 12/26/2013

    The Murder of Dian Fossey

    Gorilla expert Dian Fossey was murdered in her cabin at her research centre in Rwanda on 26 December 1985. Lucy Burns speaks to Kelly Stewart, who worked with Fossey and the gorillas.

    9 min

  5. 12/25/2013

    Grand Theft Auto

    A new computer game - designed in Scotland - became a surprise global hit in 1997. But Grand Theft Auto also courted controversy and sparked debate over violence and drugs in video games. Listen to Brian Baglow - one of the original team behind the launch.

    9 min

  6. 12/24/2013

    The MP Who Faked His Own Death

    British MP John Stonehouse faked his own death in Miami in November 1974 - and was discovered just weeks later in Australia on 24 December. Lucy Burns speaks to his barrister, Geoffrey Robertson QC.

    9 min

  7. 12/23/2013

    Murder in the Amazon

    In December 1988 the Brazilian environmental campaigner, Chico Mendes, was shot dead by cattle ranchers. The 44-year-old leader of the rubber tappers union had become a powerful symbol of the struggle to save the Amazon. We hear from those closest to Mendes at the time of his death. (Photo: Chico Mendes and his family. Credit: Str/AFP/Getty Images)

    9 min

  8. 12/20/2013

    Lockerbie Bombing

    On 21 December 1988 an American airliner was blown out of the sky above Scotland. A bomb had been planted in its luggage hold. All of the 259 people on board, as well as 11 people on the ground in the small town of Lockerbie, were killed. Hear from from Father Patrick Keegans who lived on the street where much of the wreckage landed. Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images

    9 min
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The story of our times told by the people who were there.

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