Podcast Episodes

The speech that inspired the Law of the Sea

In November 1967, the Maltese diplomat, Arvid Pardo, addressed the United Nations with a remarkable speech that shaped the laws governing the sea.

Pardo's message is immortalised in the United Nations…

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago

South Africa’s nuclear weapons

In 1989, South Africa became the first, and only country to make and then dismantle nuclear weapons.

The project was conducted at Kentron Circle, a secret weapons facility.

André Buys was plant manager…

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago

Cambodia war crimes

In 2009, a UN-backed war crimes tribunal opened in Cambodia to try the senior Khmer Rouge commanders responsible for genocide.

An estimated two million people were killed during Pol Pot's regime in th…

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago

Kristallnacht: The night of broken glass

In November 1938, the Nazis organised a night of terror against Jews in Germany. Windows of homes, businesses and synagogues were broken.

Kurt Salomon Maier was eight years old, living with his Jewis…

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago

The Estonia ferry disaster

In 1994, the MS Estonia ferry sank in the Baltic Sea with the loss of 852 lives. It was one of the deadliest shipping tragedies since the sinking of the Titanic.

The Estline ferry was sailing overnig…

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago

South Africa’s first inter-racial marriage

In 1949, inter-racial marriage and relationships were banned by South Africa’s apartheid government.

In June 1985, the ban was lifted.

Suzanne La Clerc and Protas Madlala were the first couple to tie…

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago

Arrested for "immorality" in South Africa

In 1969, a white man and an Indian woman were put on trial in South Africa for conspiring to have sex.

Dr Zureena Desai and Professor John Blacking were the most high profile couple to be arrested und…

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago

Why Tupac was fired from Menace II Society

In 1993, a gritty and unflinching crime movie called Menace II Society was released to huge acclaim.

The debut picture from the teenage directors, Allen and Albert Hughes, provided a deep dive into th…

Published on 1 year, 3 months ago

India's Mars Orbiter Mission

In 2014, India’s Mars Orbiter Mission meant the country was the first in the world to successfully place a satellite into orbit around Mars on its initial attempt.

The mission, named Mangalyaan, was o…

Published on 1 year, 3 months ago

Designing the Google logo

Millions of us see the Google logo every day.

Ruth Kedar is the designer of the logo. The story of how she got the job starts in a martial arts class in 1998.

The Brazilian artist and designer was inv…

Published on 1 year, 3 months ago