In 1943, Rome's Jewish citizens were promised that if they gave gold to the Nazis, they would escape deportation. Despite handing over 50kg of gold - more than 1,500 of the city's Jews were rounded up and sent to the death camps. Alan Johnston reports from Rome.

Photo: Survivor Settimia Spizzichino (far right)

In January 1914, Britain merged two separate colonial territories in West Africa to form the modern state of Nigeria. It was called the Amalgamation of Nigeria. We hear rare archive recordings of witnesses to this defining period in Nigerian history, including the British colonial officer responsible for unification, Lord Frederick Lugard and the Nigerian nationalist, Ernest Ikoli.

Photo: Amalgamation Day, Lagos, 1 January 1914

In January 1989, serial killer Ted Bundy was executed by electric chair in Florida. It is thought he had killed dozens of young women and girls. His defence lawyer recounts the events of that morning and his memories of a client who he found both smart and engaging.

(Photo: Ted Bundy. Credit: AP)

In January 1944, during World War Two, the blockade of the Russian city of Leningrad finally ended. The city had been surrounded by German troops for almost 900 days. Millions of civilians and soldiers from both sides had died as a result of bombardment, starvation and cold.

(Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The world's first ever nuclear-powered submarine was launched. The USS Nautilus was regarded as the first 'true' submarine as it could submerge for months. It soon shattered all underwater speed and distance records and played a crucial role in the cold war. We hear from one of the original crewmembers.

PHOTO: Courtesy of the US Navy

During World War Two conscientious objectors could volunteer for medical experiments. Hear the story of one young American who had refused to fight, but was prepared to starve for his country. Marshall Sutton is now 95 - he took part in the Minnesota Starvation Experiment in 1944 in an attempt to help scientists understand how best to look after starving civilians in war-torn Europe.

(Photo: Marshall Sutton today)

In January 1944 the allies launched a major offensive against the Germans in Italy. It would be one of the longest battles of the Second World War, lasting four months and causing over 100,000 casualties. We hear from two allied veterans, one British, one Polish.

Photo: Abbey of Monte Cassino in ruins in ruins after it was bombed by allied forces (Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In April 2004, US forces began battling insurgents based in the Iraqi city of Fallujah. The first round of fighting lasted for almost a month. We speak to an Iraqi doctor who treated injured civilians during that time.

(Photo: An Iraqi man in front of destroyed houses in the city of Fallujah 30 April 2004. Credit: Ramzi Haidar/AFP/Getty Images)

On 15 January 1966 a small group of Nigerian army officers launched a bloody coup against the civilian government. It marked the start of the military's involvement in Nigerian politics which would last for decades and set Nigeria on a path to civil war. We hear from one of the soldiers who took part, Colonel Ben Gbulie.

(Photo: Nigerian troops on the streets of Lagos, 16 January 1966. Credit: AP)

In early 1967, the American guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, took London by storm. His flamboyant style and new ways of playing the electric guitar enthralled everyone from the Beatles to Eric Clapton. Hendrix's English girlfriend, Kathy Etchingham, recalls her relationship with a man who would become a musical legend. This programme was first broadcast in 2013.

(Photo: Jimi Hendrix. Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)