On 23 September 1998, a New Zealander called Clint Hallam became the recipient of the world's first hand transplant. But two years later, after a poor physical and psychological reaction to the transplant, Hallam asked for it to be removed, claiming that it felt "like a dead man's hand". Witness speaks to Nadey Hakim, who was part of the transplant team - and who later amputated the hand.

(Photo: Clint Hallam. Credit: Press Association)

On 20 September 1979 the Central African dictator Jean Bedel-Bokassa was driven from power by French troops. He had styled himself as an 'Emperor' but his brutality and excess became legendary and he had to flee into exile. Goodwin Cooke was the US ambassador in Central Africa during his reign.

(Photo: Jean Bedel-Bokassa with his throne. Credit: Getty Images)

In September 1970 the Jordanian military took up arms against the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and its fighters.

South Africa sent 600 soldiers into Lesotho to quell political unrest in September 1998. We hear what happened next from opposition politician Mamello Morrison.

Photo: South African soldiers in the capital Maseru. Associated Press.

In 1985, an earthquake devastated the centre of Mexico City, killing at least 10,000. With the emergency services struggling to cope, a small group of Mexicans began to dig out survivors themselves. Nicknamed Los Topos, or 'The Moles', they are now an elite rescue group who travel the world freeing people trapped in rubble. Witness talks to Eduardo Acevedo, one of the first members of Los Topos.

(Photo: Eduardo Acevedo, left, on a mission with Los Topos. Credit: Associated Press).

It is 60 years since William Golding's acclaimed novel was first published. The story, of schoolboys marooned on an island, tackles questions of human nature and whether people are intrinsically good, or evil.

(Photo: William Golding. Credit: BBC)

In September 1993 the Israeli prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, and the PLO leader, Yasser Arafat, made history by shaking hands on the White House lawn. But it was a moment that almost didn't happen. Witness talks to White House insider, John Podesta, who was there.

(Photo: Left to right, Yitzhak Rabin, Bill Clinton and the PLO leader, Yasser Arafat. Credit: J. David Ake/AFP/Getty Images)

Just three days after the 9/11 attacks on America, Congress gave the President the power to order military action against any person, organisation or country suspected of involvement in the attacks - without needing congressional approval.

Witness speaks to Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the only member of the legislature to oppose the new powers.

Photo: AP Photo/Chao Soi Cheong

In 1968, the Scottish folk group, the Corries, performed a song that became Scotland’s unofficial anthem decades later. We speak to Corries member, Ronnie Browne.

(Photo: A Scottish flag. Credit: PA)

In 1990, 184 Tamils were killed by the Sri Lankan army at Batticaloa in the east of the island during the civil war between the Sinhala majority and the Tamil minority. Farhana Haider has been speaking to the Bishop of Batticaloa, Kingsley Swampillai.

(Photo: AP )