Podcast Episodes

VE Day celebrations

The end of the Second World War in Europe came on 8 May 1945, after more than five years of conflict.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill announc…

1 year, 5 months ago

Sinking of the Lusitania

On 7 May 1915, the British ocean liner, the Lusitania, was sunk by a German submarine off the Irish coast, as it sailed from New York to Liverpool.

Th…

1 year, 5 months ago

The invention of the automatic electric rice cooker

In 1955, entrepreneur and engineer Yoshitada Minami came up with a way to liberate women from two to three hours of housework a day.

When his water-he…

1 year, 5 months ago

Conclave: How a new pope is chosen

In April 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI following the death of Pope John Paul II.

The new leader of the Catholic Church was …

1 year, 5 months ago

Snake: Popularising mobile gaming

In 1998, the Snake game made its debut on mobile phones. It is known for its simple yet addictive gameplay and played a major role in popularising …

1 year, 5 months ago

Ten countries join the EU in one night

On 1 May 2004, the European Union went through its biggest ever enlargement. 10 countries joined including eight from the former Soviet Union’s spher…

1 year, 5 months ago

The Cu Chi tunnels of the Vietnam War

During the Vietnam War, North Vietnamese VietCong guerrillas built a vast network of tunnels in the south of the country as part of the insurgency ag…

1 year, 5 months ago

Surviving the fall of Saigon in 1975

When South Vietnam fell to communist forces in 1975, most could not escape.

In the last days, the United States airlifted its remaining personnel and…

1 year, 5 months ago

Doi Moi: Vietnam's economic miracle

In the late 1970s, Vietnam was one of the poorest countries in the world. Its economy had been destroyed by war with the USA, a trade embargo, and th…

1 year, 5 months ago

The death of Adolf Hitler

On 30 April 1945 Adolf Hitler killed himself in a bunker in the German capital Berlin as Soviet Red Army soldiers closed in. But first he married his…

1 year, 5 months ago