Podcast Episodes

The discovery of the coelacanth

In 1938, South African museum curator Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer discovered a coelacanth, a fish that was believed to have been extinct for 65 million years.

It is thought to be our ancestor and the …

Published on 1 week, 6 days ago

Dismaland: Banksy's dystopian theme park

In 2015, Banksy turned a derelict swimming pool in Weston-super-Mare, England, into a dystopian theme park which drew huge crowds and Hollywood stars.

Working under cover of darkness, the street artis…

Published on 2 weeks ago

The Balcombe Street IRA siege

In December 1975, four members of one of the IRA’s deadliest units were chased by police through the streets of London before hiding out in a small flat owned by a middle-aged couple called John and …

Published on 2 weeks, 1 day ago

How Lagos Fashion Week began

In 2011, Lagos Fashion Week debuted, putting Nigerian style on the map.

Omoyemi Akerele founded the event which helped to launch the careers of designers internationally.

It has grown into a major fas…

Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago

Wole Soyinka: Imprisoned during Nigeria’s Biafra war

In 1967, Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka tried to stop the country’s Biafra war, in which Nigeria’s Igbo people responded to violence by seceding from the rest of the country. They proclaimed a new Repu…

Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago

Escaping Nigeria's Biafra war

When the south-east region of Nigeria declared itself to be the independent state of Biafra, civil war broke out in May 1967. More than a million people died before the fighting stopped.

In 2021, Pat…

Published on 2 weeks, 6 days ago

Building the New Afrika Shrine in Nigeria

It's 25 years since the opening of the New Afrika Shrine, an open-air entertainment centre in Nigeria.

A hub for Afrobeat music and culture, it's dedicated to the legacy of Fela Kuti who pioneered th…

Published on 3 weeks ago

West Africa fights back against Boko Haram

In 2015, West African countries fought against the jihadist militant group Boko Haram which controlled large areas of northeastern Nigeria.

The group, whose name means 'western education is forbidden…

Published on 3 weeks, 1 day ago

Ravi and George

Following the Beatles' final concert tour, George Harrison travelled to India in 1967 to learn sitar under the renowned musician Ravi Shankar. Fleeing Beatlemania he travelled in disguise to Mumbai…

Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago

India goes to the UN

In 1946, an Indian woman made history by leading her country’s first delegation to the United Nations.

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit described it as a moment that reshaped her life.

As the sister of Jawaharlal…

Published on 3 weeks, 5 days ago