In 1980, more than 100,000 Cubans left the island in a boatlift from Mariel harbour.

Witness speaks to the writer, Mirta Ojito, about how she fled from communism with her family.

Photo: Mirta (left) with her father and sister.

In 1921 the most famous perfume ever, was launched in France.

It was created for Coco Chanel - the fashion designer and good-time girl - who wanted something modern and fresh to suit the times.

(Photo: A young Coco Chanel, credit Getty images)

In May 1968 Manchester United Football club won its first European cup at Wembley.

A supporter and a player talk about the match, and the emotions.

Listen to David Sadler, and life-long fan Brian Hughes.

Photo: David Sadler in action. Getty images.

In May 1971 a group of women challenged the ban on contraception in Ireland.

They took a train from the Republic of Ireland in the south across the border to Northern Ireland and came back laden with pills and condoms.

Nell McCafferty was one of the leaders of the protest.

(Picture: Condoms, Credit:

In May 1924 two rich and educated teenage boys killed an acquaintance in Chicago.

They thought they had carried out the perfect crime.

But they were soon caught and put on trial.

Witness investigates their motives.

In May 1944 the Tatar people of Crimea were forced into exile by the Soviet army.

Although the Muslim minority had lived in the region for centuries they were ordered out by Stalin.

Hundreds of thousands of people, mainly women and children, were put on trains and sent to Uzbekistan.

Photo: Dilara Aslanovna Baganovna's family before deportation.

Over 400 years ago an Irish woman pirate met Queen Elizabeth I.

Grace O'Malley led hundreds of men into battle at sea and on land.

When Ireland's English rulers tried to curb her power she paid a personal visit Queen Elizabeth to argue her case.

The Red Army took control of the German capital Berlin, in May 1945.

The Soviet soldiers had a terrifying reputation and civilians in their path feared looting and violence.

One German woman who survived that time tells her story.

Photo: Associated Press

This programme was scheduled for broadcast on May 2nd but postponed due to the death of Osama bin Laden.

At Easter 1916, a small army of Irish rebels attempted to start a revolution against British rule.

They held out for more than a week against a massive British military response.

Witness brings together eye-witness accounts of the Easter Rising.

A street barricade in Dublin. Photo: Getty images.

Nearly 300 years ago a feral child was brought to the court of George I in London.

He'd been found in the forests of Germany and sent to England at the request of the King.

But what was his life like? Historian Lucy Worsley has followed up the clues.