This Week in History

By BBC Radio 4

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

... more

· History

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FAQs about This Week in History:

How many episodes does This Week in History have?

The podcast currently has 70 episodes available.

This Week in History episodes:

December 22, 2025 22nd to 28th December
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: 22nd to 28th December
22nd December 1972 - The Chilean Air Force finds fourteen survivors of a plane crash in the Andes, ten weeks after it happened.
25th December 800 - Charlemagne is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III.
26th December 1860 - Hallam FC and Sheffield FC contest the first ever match between two football clubs.
Presented by Viji Alles and Caroline Nicholls.
...more
6min
December 15, 2025 15th to 21st December
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: 15th to 21st December
16th December 1707 - The last recorded eruption of Mount Fuji in Japan.
18th December 1917 - The Soviet government recognises Finland's independence.
19th December 1843 - "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is published.
Presented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles.
...more
6min
December 08, 2025 8th to 14th December
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: 8th to 14th December
12th December 1963 - Jomo Kenyatta leads Kenya to independence
13th December 2003 - Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured by US forces near his hometown of Tikrit
9th December 1952 - The Great Smog of London finally clears
Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown
...more
6min
December 01, 2025 1st to 7th December
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: 1st to 7th December
4th December 1961 - Announcement of birth control pill approval and use on NHS
5th December 1933 - End of prohibition in the US
4th of December 1154 Pope Adrian IV elected – the only Englishman to ascend to papacy
Presented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles
...more
6min
November 24, 2025 24th to 30th November
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: 24th to 30th November
28th November 1893 - Women vote for the first time in New Zealand
24th November 1974 - Lucy, the most complete early human skeleton, is discovered
24th November 1852 - Matthew C Perry sets out on a 'diplomatic' mission to Japan.
Presented by Caroline Nicholls and Ron Brown
...more
6min
November 17, 2025 17th to 23rd November
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: the 17th to the 23rd of November
17th November 1558 - The Death of Queen Mary the First
22nd November 1963 - John F. Kennedy is assassinated
23rd November 1963 - Doctor Who debuts on BBC Television
Presented by Ron Brown and Viji Alles
Produced by Amanda Litherland and Sofie Vilcins
...more
6min
November 10, 2025 10th to 16th November
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: 10th to 16th November
11th November 1918 - A republic was declared in Poland
14th November 1680 - Gottfried Kirch discovers the Great Comet
16th November 1979 - Anthony Blunt is revealed as the 'fourth man' in the Cambridge spy ring
Presented by Viji Alles and Ron Brown
...more
6min
November 07, 2025 3rd to 9th November
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: 3rd to 9th November
3rd November 1534 - English parliament passes the Act of Supremacy
9th November 1938 - Kristallnacht
4th November 1922 - Discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb
Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown
...more
6min
November 03, 2025 3rd to 9th November
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: 3rd to 9th November
3rd November1534 - English parliament passes the Act of Supremacy
9th November 1938 - Kristallnacht
4th November 1922 - Discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb
Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown
...more
6min
October 27, 2025 October 27th to November 2nd
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
This week: 27th October to 2nd November
31st October 1984 - Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi is assassinated
28th October 1726 - "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift is published.
30th October 1974 - Muhammad Ali defeats George Foreman in 'The Rumble In The Jungle'
Presented by Viji Alles and Caroline Nicholls
Produced by Stuart Ross and Amanda Litherland
...more
6min

FAQs about This Week in History:

How many episodes does This Week in History have?

The podcast currently has 70 episodes available.