43 episodes

Historian Margaret MacMillan chronicles the road to war in 1914.

1914: Day by Day BBC Radio 4

    • History
    • 4.6 • 25 Ratings

Historian Margaret MacMillan chronicles the road to war in 1914.

    8th August

    8th August

    The French army declares a victory in their lost province of Alsace.
    Margaret Macmillan chronicles the events leading up to the First World War. Each episode draws together newspaper accounts, diplomatic correspondence and private journals from the same day exactly one hundred years ago, giving a picture of the world in 1914 as it was experienced at the time.
    The series tracks the development of the European crisis day by day, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand through to the first week of the conflict. As well as the war, it gives an insight into the wider context of the world in 1914 including the threat of civil war in Ireland, the sensational trial of Madame Caillaux in France and the suffragettes' increasingly violent campaign for votes for women.
    Margaret Macmillan is Professor of International History at Oxford University.
    Readings: Andrew Byron, Stephen Greif, Felix von Manteuffel, Jaime Stewart, Simon Tcherniak
    Jane Whittenshaw
    Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore
    Producer: Russell Finch
    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio.

    • 4 min
    7th August

    7th August

    British Trade Unions announce they will not oppose the war.
    Margaret Macmillan chronicles the events leading up to the First World War. Each episode draws together newspaper accounts, diplomatic correspondence and private journals from the same day exactly one hundred years ago, giving a picture of the world in 1914 as it was experienced at the time.
    The series tracks the development of the European crisis day by day, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand through to the first week of the conflict. As well as the war, it gives an insight into the wider context of the world in 1914 including the threat of civil war in Ireland, the sensational trial of Madame Caillaux in France and the suffragettes' increasingly violent campaign for votes for women.
    Margaret Macmillan is Professor of International History at Oxford University.
    Readings: Andrew Byron, Stephen Greif, Felix von Manteuffel, Jaime Stewart, Simon Tcherniak
    Jane Whittenshaw
    Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore
    Producer: Russell Finch
    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

    • 3 min
    6th August

    6th August

    German Zeppelins bomb the Belgian city of Liege - the first air attack on a European city.
    Margaret Macmillan chronicles the events leading up to the First World War. Each episode draws together newspaper accounts, diplomatic correspondence and private journals from the same day exactly one hundred years ago, giving a picture of the world in 1914 as it was experienced at the time.
    The series tracks the development of the European crisis day by day, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand through to the first week of the conflict. As well as the war, it gives an insight into the wider context of the world in 1914 including the threat of civil war in Ireland, the sensational trial of Madame Caillaux in France and the suffragettes' increasingly violent campaign for votes for women.
    Margaret Macmillan is Professor of International History at Oxford University.
    Readings: Andrew Byron, Stephen Greif, Felix von Manteuffel, Jaime Stewart, Simon Tcherniak
    Jane Whittenshaw
    Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore
    Producer: Russell Finch
    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

    • 4 min
    5th August

    5th August

    Advertisements in British newspapers urge the public to enlist in the army.
    Margaret Macmillan chronicles the events leading up to the First World War. Each episode draws together newspaper accounts, diplomatic correspondence and private journals from the same day exactly one hundred years ago, giving a picture of the world in 1914 as it was experienced at the time.
    The series tracks the development of the European crisis day by day, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand through to the first week of the conflict. As well as the war, it gives an insight into the wider context of the world in 1914 including the threat of civil war in Ireland, the sensational trial of Madame Caillaux in France and the suffragettes' increasingly violent campaign for votes for women.
    Margaret Macmillan is Professor of International History at Oxford University.
    Readings: Andrew Byron, Stephen Greif, Felix von Manteuffel, Jaime Stewart, Simon Tcherniak
    Jane Whittenshaw
    Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore
    Producer: Russell Finch
    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

    • 3 min
    4th August

    4th August

    Britain declares war on Germany.
    Margaret Macmillan chronicles the events leading up to the First World War. Each episode draws together newspaper accounts, diplomatic correspondence and private journals from the same day exactly one hundred years ago, giving a picture of the world in 1914 as it was experienced at the time.
    The series tracks the development of the European crisis day by day, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand through to the first week of the conflict. As well as the war, it gives an insight into the wider context of the world in 1914 including the threat of civil war in Ireland, the sensational trial of Madame Caillaux in France and the suffragettes' increasingly violent campaign for votes for women.
    Margaret Macmillan is Professor of International History at Oxford University.
    Readings: Andrew Byron, Stephen Greif, Felix von Manteuffel, Jaime Stewart, Simon Tcherniak
    Jane Whittenshaw
    Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore
    Producer: Russell Finch
    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

    • 4 min
    3rd August

    3rd August

    The British Foreign Secretary speaks in favour of war at the House of Commons.
    Margaret Macmillan chronicles the events leading up to the First World War. Each episode draws together newspaper accounts, diplomatic correspondence and private journals from the same day exactly one hundred years ago, giving a picture of the world in 1914 as it was experienced at the time.
    The series tracks the development of the European crisis day by day, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand through to the first week of the conflict. As well as the war, it gives an insight into the wider context of the world in 1914 including the threat of civil war in Ireland, the sensational trial of Madame Caillaux in France and the suffragettes' increasingly violent campaign for votes for women.
    Margaret Macmillan is Professor of International History at Oxford University.
    Readings: Andrew Byron, Stephen Greif, Felix von Manteuffel, Jaime Stewart, Simon Tcherniak
    Jane Whittenshaw
    Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore
    Producer: Russell Finch
    A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4.

    • 3 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
25 Ratings

25 Ratings

LeahNYC ,

beautfully produced, compelling

Among this series' many fine attributes, I particularly appreciate historian Margaret MacMillan's voiceover -- not just the content but also the feeling and sound of her narration. I wish this day by day series were more extensive but I am glad that even this 1914 set of mini-podcasts exists. Thank you, BBC.

cksemfei ,

Excellent, but of course it's the BBC

Fascinating. A glimpse into the news and personalities that captivated the British mind in the very early days of WWI as well as the daily events that lead to the greatest disaster of the early 20th century. Wonderful bite-size length.

Gaston Pleasant ,

Brilliantly done

Great concept. Well presented. Short historically informative and mildly dramatized episodes. This is the best history podcast I've heard. I hope it continues to cover the entire war.

Top Podcasts In History

Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra
Rachel Maddow, MSNBC
D-Day: The Tide Turns
NOISER
The Rest Is History
Goalhanger Podcasts
Pack One Bag
Lemonada Media
Everything Everywhere Daily
Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media
American Scandal
Wondery

You Might Also Like

More by BBC

Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
6 Minute English
BBC Radio
In Our Time
BBC Radio 4
You're Dead to Me
BBC Radio 4
Newshour
BBC World Service
Learning English Conversations
BBC Radio