Podcast Episodes

The world's first labradoodle

In 1989, Australian dog breeder Wally Conron was tasked with finding a suitable dog for a blind woman in Hawaii whose husband was allergic to pet hair.

By breeding together a poodle and a Labrador, h…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

The first dog in space

Laika the Russian stray was the first dog to orbit the Earth. She was sent into space on a flight in 1957 which had been timed to mark the anniversary of the Russian Revolution. She died after orbiti…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

Richard Dimbleby describes Belsen

The BBC’s Richard Dimbleby was the first reporter to enter the liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

His report describing the unimaginable horror he found was for many listeners around the wor…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

I led the hunt for the Boston Marathon bombers

On 15 April 2013, brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev set off two bombs at the Boston Marathon and killed three people.

After the attack they disappeared, only to resurface three days later in the…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

Mass grave at Sernyky

In 1990, archaeologist Richard Wright flew half way around the world to unearth a mass grave in Sernyky, Ukraine as part of an Australian Nazi war crimes investigation.

The site contained more than…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

The universal recycling symbol

In 1970, American architecture student Gary Anderson won a competition, to mark the first Earth Day on 22 April, to design a logo for recycled paper products.

His design of three arrows in a triangle …

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

Emperor Tewodros II

Emperor Tewodros II is one of the towering figures of modern Ethiopian history.

He tried to unify and modernise Ethiopia but his reign was also marked by brutality.

He faced a rising tide of rebellion…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

The Good Friday Agreement referendum

On 22 May 1998, a referendum was held in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland asking voters if they supported the Good Friday Agreement.

In both, the majority of the electorate voted in favour…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

Beto Perez: 'I created Zumba by accident'

In 2001, Colombian born choreographer Beto Perez created Zumba, a fitness craze which would go on to become a global phenomenon. The aerobic workout was inspired by Latin dance moves including Mere…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

Awaji Kannon: One of the world's tallest statues

In 1982, a Japanese businessman unveiled one of the tallest statues in the world called the World Peace Giant Kannon in Awaji Island, Japan.

At 100 metres tall, the statue was visible from all across…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago