This Week in History

By BBC Radio 4

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

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· History

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FAQs about This Week in History:

How many episodes does This Week in History have?

The podcast currently has 33 episodes available.

This Week in History episodes:

April 14, 2025 April 14 - April 20
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.
This week. April 14th – April 20th
- 14th of April 1865. On a fateful night at Ford's Theatre, Abraham Lincoln became the first US President to be assassinated.
- 15th of April 1755 - They took nine years to finish, contained the definition of over 42 thousand words, and were published 270 years ago. Discover all about Samuel Johnson’s ‘A Dictionary of The English Language’
- 16th of April 1912. Harriet Quimby was a trailblazing aviator, a pioneering pilot, and on the 16th of April 1912 became the first woman to fly across the English Channel.
Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown
Produced by Luke Doran
...more
6min
April 07, 2025 April 7 - April 13
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world, and made us who we are today.
This week. April 7th – April 13th
- 11th of April 1961. The Trail of the senior Nazi official Adolf Eichmann begins in Jerusalem, bringing world wide attention to the atrocities of the Holocaust.
- 12th of April 1961 - Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space when he orbits the earth in the Vostok-1. Exactly twenty years later space exploration takes another giant leap when the first NASA space shuttle is launched.
- 10th of April 1849. Walter Hunt patents his latest creation, the modern Safety Pin. He then sells the patent to payoff a small debt. He doesn't make another dollar from his invention.
Presented by Viji Alles and Caroline Nicholls
Produced by Luke Doran
...more
5min
March 31, 2025 March 31 - April 6
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world, and made us who we are today.
This week. March 31st – April 6th
- 1st of April 2001. The world's first legal gay marriages take place in Amsterdam, after the Netherlands becomes the first country to legalize same-sex marriage.
- 4th of April 1975. Microsoft is founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Almost exactly a year later Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak form the Apple Computer Company.
- 6th of April 1906. Widely regarded as the first ever animated film, 'Humorous Phases of Funny Faces' is released by the American Vitagraph Company.
Presented by Ron Brown and Jane Steel
Produced by Luke Doran
...more
6min

FAQs about This Week in History:

How many episodes does This Week in History have?

The podcast currently has 33 episodes available.