Podcast Episodes

The launch of Windows 95

In August 1995, Microsoft released a new operating system - Windows 95 – following one of the computer industry’s biggest and most expensive marketing campaigns.

Queues formed outside shops at midnigh…

Published on 11 months ago

Replacing the Panchen Lama

On 29 November 1995, Tibetan Buddhist leaders attended a secret ceremony in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa. They were present to witness the choice of the next Panchen Lama, a position in Tibetan Buddhis…

Published on 11 months ago

The murder of Maurizio Gucci

On 27 March 1995, fashion heir Maurizio Gucci was shot dead outside his office in Milan, Italy.

Five people, including his ex-wife, Patrizia Reggiani, and her clairvoyant, were jailed in connection wi…

Published on 11 months ago

Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway

In 1995, an obscure Japanese religion launched a chemical attack on the Tokyo metro.

Members of the doomsday cult, which called itself Aum Shinrikyo, dropped plastic bags containing sarin liquid on t…

Published on 11 months ago

Hunting the Unabomber

During a 17-year bombing campaign, an elusive terrorist known as the Unabomber killed three and injured 23 Americans.

In 1995, he contacted The New York Times and The Washington Post promising to stop…

Published on 11 months ago

Drum: Africa’s revolutionary magazine

Drum was considered to be the first African lifestyle magazine with a readership of 40,000 in its 1950s heyday. It was first printed in South Africa in 1951 and became a voice of resistance during Ap…

Published on 11 months, 1 week ago

'I wrote Schindler's List'

In 1980, Australian author Thomas Keneally stumbled across the story of Oskar Schindler while buying a briefcase in Beverly Hills, in the USA.

The owner of the shop, a Polish Jew called Leopold Pfeffe…

Published on 11 months, 1 week ago

Kobe earthquake

On 17 January 1995, an earthquake devastated the port city of Kobe, in west Japan.

More than 6,000 people died and around 300,000 people were left homeless.

It was one of the most powerful earthquakes …

Published on 11 months, 1 week ago

Confronting Betty Ford’s addiction

In 1978, former first lady of the United States, Betty Ford, announced that she had an addiction to alcohol and prescription medication, and would be seeking treatment.

Wife of the 38th US president G…

Published on 11 months, 1 week ago

Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal

In 1933, newly-elected US President Franklin D Roosevelt attempted to drag the United States out of the depression with the New Deal.

One of the biggest public spending projects in history, the progra…

Published on 11 months, 1 week ago