History and humanities podcasts

The Siege of Vienna

In the summer of 1683, Vienna was under siege. A vast Ottoman army surrounded the city, poised to...

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The Glorious Revolution

In this episode we hear all about the Glorious Revolution, a pivotal moment in British history...

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Why is Timbuktu Famous?

Today we explore the famed city of Timbuktu. How did it grow from a trading post on the edge of...

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The Adventures Of Alfred Hitchcock: Chapter 14

The success of Alfred Hitchcock Presents has led to an all-new television venture, and kicks off...

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Intervision Song Contest BBC
Episode
in Witness

Intervision Song Contest

In 1980, Finnish singer Marion Rung won the Intervision Song Contest. Born in the 1960s,...

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Sweden’s shocking sugar experiment BBC
Episode
in Witness

Sweden’s shocking sugar experiment

In the 1940s, some vulnerable Swedish hospital patients were fed large amounts of sugary sweets...

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Behind the Scenes Minis: Shots and Sidi

Tracy and Holly share tetanus shot stories and discuss getting boosters. They then discuss the...

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Gods, demons, witches and exorcists: inside an ancient Assyrian library

In the seventh century BC, the ancient Assyrian king Ashurbanipal created a gigantic library in...

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AWA357 - What was the least influential weapon on the ancient battlefield?

Ralph Kirby challenges Murray with an intriguing question: could the Polybolas be considered the...

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How Did the American Revolution Start?

On 19th April, 1775, just over 250 years ago, the opening salvos of the American Revolutionary...

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The Adventures Of Alfred Hitchcock: Chapter 11

In complete control of his creative powers, Hitchcock is about to embark upon the making of what...

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Coca-Cola’s ‘New Coke' BBC
Episode
in Witness

Coca-Cola’s ‘New Coke'

Forty years ago, on 23 April 1985, Coca-Cola decided to change the secret formula of its fizzy...

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Wanda Gág, Part 1

As an artist and writer Wanda Gág is well known for her children’s books. But this first of two...

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Daniel Meltz - Rabbis of the Garden State

In the suburbs of New Jersey, where temple gossip flows like Manischewitz wine, eleven-year-old...

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