News
Robert Robinson, a black American engineer, spent 43 years in the USSR against his will. Read more
now playing
Black in the USSR
Robert Robinson, a black American engineer, spent 43 years in the USSR against his will.
Jackass Penguin Rescue
An oil spill in June 2000 threatened tens of thousands of African penguins.
Space Crash
Michael Foale was on board the Mir space station when a resupply vessel crashed into it
The Bobbitt Story
On 23 June 1993 a young wife cut off her husband's penis in a frenzied attack
The Khobar Towers Bombing - Saudi Arabia
On June 25th 1996 a huge truck bomb was planted at a US housing complex in Saudi Arabia.
Forced Sterilisation in Peru
In the 1990s more than 280,000 women were sterilised in Peru, many against their will.
Date Rape
The first time 'date rape' hit the headlines in the USA.
The Cuyahoga River Fire
In June 1969 the heavily polluted Cuyahoga River, in Ohio in the USA, caught fire
Soviet Imaginary Heroes
A Soviet story of heroic feats of bravery during WWII... that could not have happened.
The Great Plague
In the summer of 1665, London was gripped by one of the worst epidemics in its history
In June 1997, astronauts on the Mir space station faced disaster after a collision.
Ukraine's Wartime Ultra-Nationalists
In 1941, far-right Ukrainians declared independence, hoping for Hitler's .
Angela Merkel
A look back at the career of the German Chancellor before she became a politician.
World War One: The Battle of the Somme
BBC archive recordings of veterans who fought in one of the bloodiest battles in history
The Trial of Saddam Hussein
On 1 July 2004, Saddam Hussein made his first appearance in a Baghdad courtroom.
Born on the Fourth of July
Ron Kovic is a former US Marine turned peace activist whose story became a Hollywood film
Starbucks: The Early Days
It is 45 years since the multibillion-dollar coffee company opened in Seattle in the USA.
Denmark's second EU Referendum
In 1993, Denmark held a second referendum on greater EU integration
The Renovation of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper
In 1999, after 20 years of restoration work, the masterpiece was revealed to the public.
The Sale of London Bridge
In July of 1967 London Bridge put up for sale. American Robert P McCulloch bought it
Spanish Republic
The writers and artists who took part in cultural missions during the Spanish Civil War.
Executions in Cuba
In July 1989 four Cuban army officers were convicted of drug trafficking and executed.
The Assassination of Anwar Sadat
On October 6th 1981, Egyptian president Anwar Sadat was killed by army officers.
War in Slovenia
In 1991, Yugoslav army tanks moved into Slovenia to try to stop it becoming independent
In the 1990s, President Alberto Fujimori launched a family planning programme in Peru.
The Mumbai Train Bombings
In July 2006, seven coordinated explosions tore through packed commuter trains in Mumbai.
The Nestle Boycott
In July 1977 US campaigners launched a boycott against Nestle over the sale of baby milk.
Child refugees from the Spanish Civil War
In 1937, Britain took in 4000 Basque children at the height of fighting in northern Spain
1916: Central Asia Rebels Against the Russian Empire
In 1916, Muslims in Central Asia rose up against Russian imperial rule.
Dutch Elm Disease
In the 1970s Dutch Elm disease killed millions of Elm trees in England, and the US
Medicare
In July 1966, the US government health insurance programme Medicare came into force.