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:

August 11, 2025 August 11th - August 17th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.
This week: August 4th - August 10th
- 15th of August 1947. Indian Independence began and the country woke to 'life and freedom'. But what was the impact of this new freedom?
- 12th of August 1990. One of the world's largest T-Rex skeletons is discovered in South Dakota, prompting a long custody battle over who owns it.
- 16th of August 1819. A peaceful protest for Parliamentary Reform was brutally suppressed in Manchester, an event that became known as the 'Peterloo Massacre'.
Presented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles.
Produced by Carys John and Luke Doran.
...more
6min
August 04, 2025 August 4th - August 10th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.
This week: August 4th - August 10th
- 6th of August 1945. An atomic bomb is dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima; it is the first time a nuclear weapon is used during a war.
- 6th of August 1991. The computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee launches the first web page.
- 4th of August 1976. The first women's international cricket match is played at Lord's.
Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown.
Produced by Stuart Ross.
...more
6min
July 28, 2025 July 28th - August 3rd
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.
This week: July 28th - August 3rd
- 3rd of August 1936. The African-American athlete Jesse Owens wins the first of his four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, in front of Adolf Hitler.
- 1st of August 1774. The English chemist Joseph Priestley discovers oxygen, but did he get there first?
- 28th of July 1939. The iconic Sutton Hoo helmet is unearthed in Suffolk and provides a connection to Britain’s Anglo-Saxon past.
Presented by Ron Brown and Viji Alles.
Produced by Stuart Ross.
...more
6min
July 21, 2025 July 21st - July 27th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.
This week: July 21st - July 27th
- 26th of July 1956 - When the Suez Canal Company was nationalised in Egypt, it began a chain of events that led to the downfall of the British Prime Minister Anthony Eden.
- 24th of July 1917- The trial begins of the apparent double-agent Mata Hari. But who was she really?
- 24th of July 1936 - The Speaking Clock launches, becoming a revolutionary new automated service at the end of the phone line.
Presented by Jane Steel and Caroline Nicholls.
Produced by Amanda Litherland and Chris Pearson
...more
6min
July 14, 2025 July 14th - July 20th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.
This week: July 14th - July 20th
- 16th of July 1969 - The Apollo 11 spacecraft launches in to space, and sets down on the moon four days later.
- 14th of July 1789 - the royal fortress prison Bastille was stormed by a crowd of angry Parisians, igniting the French Revolution.
- 19th of July 1545 - Henry VIII's leading warship the Mary Rose capsizes and sinks in the Solent.
Presented by Jane Steel and Caroline Nicholls.
Produced by Amanda Litherland and Chris Pearson
...more
6min
July 07, 2025 July 7th - July 13th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.
This week: July 7th - July 13th
- 8th of July 1099 - In the first Crusade, Christians take part in the Siege of Jerusalem
- 8th of July 1777 - the independent state of Vermont prohibits slavery, becoming first former British colony to do so.
- 7th of July 1965 - Science programme Tomorrow's World debuts on BBC One

Presented by Caroline Nicholls and Ron Brown
Produced by Clara Nissen and Chris Pearson
...more
6min
June 30, 2025 June 30th - July 6th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.
This week: June 30th - July 6th
1. 1st of July 1858 - The theory of evolution is first heard in public at The Linnean Society
2. 30th of June 1971 - The death of 3 cosmonauts shocks the USSR
3. 4th of July 1925 - The Shipping Forecast is broadcast for the first time on the BBC

Presented by Viji Alles and Caroline Nicholls
Produced by Luke Doran and Chris Pearson
...more
6min
June 23, 2025 June 23rd - June 29th
Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.
This week: June 23rd - June 29th
1. 25th of June 1950 - North Korea invades South Korea, beginning the Korean War
2. 28th of June 1914 - Gavrilo Princip assassinates Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his wife Sophie.
3. 27th of June 1967 - World's first ATM is installed by Barclays Bank in Enfield, London

Presented by Ron Brown and Caroline Nicholls
Produced by Sofie Vilcins and Chris Pearson
...more
6min
June 16, 2025 June 16th - June 22nd
Fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what 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. June 16th - June 22nd
- 16th of June 1961. At Le Bourget Airport in Paris, the ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev dramatically defects, claiming asylum in the French capital city.
- 17th of June 1631. Arjumand Banu, the wife of the Emperor Shah Jahān, died after giving birth to her 14th child. The Taj Mahal was then built in her honour.
- 18th of June 1822. To commemorate the Duke of Wellington's victory at Waterloo, a statue of Achilles was unveiled in his likeness. However, it caused a bit of a scandal amid polite London society.
Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown
Produced by Amanda Litherland and Luke Doran
...more
6min
June 09, 2025 June 9 - June 15
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. June 9th - 15th
- 12th June 1215. King John signs the Magna Carta at Runnymede, enshrining the right to a fair trial in British law.
- 14th June 1972. IFALPA call an airline strike in response to increasing threats of plane hijackings.
- 13th June 1920. The US postmaster general bans children being posted through the US mail system.
Presented by Jane Steel and Caroline Nicholls.
Produced by Sofie Vilcins
...more
6min

FAQs about This Week in History:

How many episodes does This Week in History have?

The podcast currently has 70 episodes available.