Podcast Episodes

The 1960 coup against Haile Selassie

In December 1960, there was an attempt to dethrone the Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie and replace him with his son.

While the emperor was out of the country, the crown prince was taken to the headq…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

The Pope’s controversial Nicaragua visit

In 1983 Pope John Paul II visited Nicaragua as part of an eight-day tour of Central America.

His trip came at a time of heightened tensions between the ruling Sandinista revolutionaries and the count…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Brain: The first personal computer virus

'Welcome to the dungeon' was the message that flashed up on computer screens in 1986.

This was thought to be the first virus for personal computers and became known as 'Brain'.

'Brain' spread around th…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

Escaping the Nazis in Greece

The Greek city of Thessaloniki, or Salonica, was once known as the Jerusalem of the Balkans.

It was previously home to a large and thriving Sephardi Jewish population whose ancestors had been expelled…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

The US singer who became the Soviet Union’s Red Elvis

In 1966, at the height of the Cold War, American singer Dean Reed became the first western rock and roll star to tour the Soviet Union.

His visit was such a success that over the next two decades Dea…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

The birth of Barbie

The first Barbie doll was sold in 1959.

It took Ruth Handler, who created it, years to convince her male colleagues that it would sell.

The plastic creation sold 350,000 in the first year and went on …

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

Japan surrenders in China

In the autumn of 1945, World War II surrender ceremonies took place across the Japanese Empire. The one in China was held at the Forbidden City in Beijing bringing an end to eight years of occupation…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

The ‘Barricades’ of Latvia

In January 1991, more than half a million people protested in Riga, the capital city of Latvia. They wanted to stop Soviet troops taking over important landmarks, so they built barricades and camped …

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

Tamoxifen: Breast cancer ‘wonder drug’

The story of how tamoxifen went from a failed contraceptive pill, to being used to prevent and treat breast cancer around the world.

It was the first ever targeted cancer drug.

Laura Jones speaks to …

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

Creating the first emoji

In 1999, Japanese software developer Shigetaka Kurita created the first emoji.

The umbrella was one of 176 original images, featuring weather, transport signs, numbers and emotions.

He was inspired af…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago