This Week in History

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.25th May 1895: Oscar Wilde is sentenced to two years hard labour for the crime of gross indecency. 27th May 1703: St Petersburg is founded on the banks of the Neva River25th May 1659: Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector, leading to the restoration of the monarchy. Charles II lands at Dover exactly one year later.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.23 May 1618 - Second Defenestration of Prague leads to the Thirty Years War 24th May 1844 - first telegraph message sent 21st May 1780 - Elizabeth Fry is born

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.16th May 1943 - Operation Chastise: No. 617 Squadron RAF begins the famous Dambusters Raid 13th May 1787 - The First Fleet sets sail for Botany Bay, Australia, with 11 ships and over 700 convicts 17th May 1861 - The first color photograph, of a tartan ribbon is shown by Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell to the Royal Institution in London

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.4th May 1990 - Latvia declares its independence 10th May 1857 - Indian rebellion against British rule by the East India Company begins 10th May 1824 - The National Gallery first opens at 100 Pall Mall

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.2nd May 1982 - The Argentine navy cruiser General Belgrano is controversially sunk by a British nuclear submarine during the Falklands War. 1st May 1707 - The Act of Union unites England and Scotland to form Great Britain. 3rd May 1978 - Marketing manager Gary Thuerk sends the first spam email.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.23rd April 1984 - The virus which causes HIV/AIDS is discovered. 21st April 1509 - Henry VIII accedes to the English throne. 25th April 1859 - The construction of the Suez canal begins.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.13th April 1970 - An explosion on board Apollo 13 threatens the lives of three astronauts. 16th April 1616 - William Harvey begins publicising the pioneering medical theory that blood circulates around the body. 18th April 1930 - Listeners who tuned in to the BBC for the 845pm bulletin were told 'there is no news'.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.10th April 1815 - Mount Tambora erupts, the largest in recorded history. For two years particles stay in the air across the globe, inspiring various artworks. 6th April 1994 - A plane carrying President Habyarimana of Rwanda and the Burundian President Ntaryamira is shot down, sparking the start of the Rwandan Genocide. 7th April 1853 - Queen Victoria uses chloroform to relieve the pain of childbirth, a pioneering moment for obstetric medicine.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.1st April 2001 - Slobodan Milošević, the former president of The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, surrenders to police special forces. 4th April 1968 - The civil rights activist Martin Luther King is assassinated. 1st April 1748 - The ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii are discovered.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.23 March 1900 - Excavations begin at Knossos, Crete, revealing the Bronze Age Minoan civilisation 27 March 1963 - The Beeching report is published, leading to mass railway closures in the UK 26 March 1778 - Beethoven gives his first concert at the age of 7, he dies on the same day in 1827

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.March 21st In 1556 - the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, was burnt at the stake in Oxford during the reign of Queen Mary. March 17th 1921 - the first family planning clinic opened in Holloway, North London, by Marie Stopes. March 20th 1966 - the World Cup trophy was stolen from its display in Central Hall, Westminster - only to be discovered by a dog, Pickles, a week after.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.March 11th - In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev was named the Soviet Union's new leader. March 11th - In 1702, Britain's first daily newspaper - The Daily Courant - began publication. March 15th - In 44BC - the Ides of March - the Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, was assassinated by a group of senators.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 2nd to 8th MarchMarch 7th - 1876 Alexander Graham Bell receives a patent for the telephone in the US March 2nd - 1965 One of the most popular musical films of all time, "The Sound of Music," premieres March 4th 1522 - Anne Boleyn makes her debut at the English court at the Green Castle pageant.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 23rd February to 1st March24th February 1999 - The Metropolitan police force was branded "institutionally racist" by the Macpherson Report which examined the murder of the black teenager, Stephen Lawrence. 1st March 1565 - The city of Rio de Janeiro was founded by the Portuguese. 26th February 1839 - The first Grand National was run at Aintree. Then called the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, it was won by a horse called Lottery

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 16th - 22nd February16th February 1959 - Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro is sworn in as prime minister. 21st February 1804 - The world's first railway journey takes place. 22nd of February 1797 - The last Invasion of Britain; French soldiers land at Fishguard… but are soon captured.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 9th to 15th February13th February 1258 - Five centuries of Abbasid rule ends when Baghdad falls to the Mongols. 11th February 1990 - Nelson Mandela is released from prison after 27 years. 15th February 1971 - Britain converts to decimal currency. Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 2nd to 8th February7th February 1974 - British Prime Minster Edward Heath calls a snap general election as the country grapples with a miners’ strike and an energy crisis. 5th February 1919 - Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith challenge the Hollywood power structure by forming their own film studio - United Artists. 2nd February 1709 - A decade before the publication of Daniel Defoe's 'Robinson Crusoe', Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk is rescued after spending four years marooned on an island in the South Pacific.Presented by Viji Alles and Jane Steel.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 26th January to 1st February27th Jan 1945 - The liberation of Auschwitz. 1st Feb 1884 - The first fascicle of The Oxford English Dictionary 'A-Ant' is published30th Jan 1972 - Bloody Sunday Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 19th to 25th of January.20th Jan 1265 - The first English Parliament met at Westminster Hall. 24th Jan 1961 - A US Air force plane carrying two Hydrogen bombs broke up mid-air over North Carolina.19th Jan 1903 - A new bicycle race was announced "Tour de France".Presented by Caroline Nicholls and Ron Brown.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 12th to 18th January16th January 1547 - Ivan The Terrible becomes the first Tsar of Russia.16th January 1950 - The first edition of "Listen With Mother" is broadcast on the BBC Light Programme.17th January 1921 - The first public performance of the illusion of sawing a person in half is given at Finsbury Park Empire.Presented by Ron Brown and Viji Alles.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 5th to 11th January5th January 1066 - Death of Edward the Confessor leading to a succession crisis.11th January 1922- Leonard Thompson is the first patient to receive an insulin injection for diabetes.5th January 1971 - The first One Day International cricket match is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Presented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles.

As The Archers celebrates its 75th anniversary, This Week In History takes a look at the development of the drama, and we hear what life was like in Britain in January 1951. How did rationing affect everyday life? What else were people listening to on the wireless? And how did Barwick Green, a song from 1924, come to be chosen as The Archers theme tune?Produced by Amanda Litherland With thanks to Tim Stimpson You can find plenty more fascinating Archers history and archive by listening to The Archers Podcast on BBC Sounds.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 29th December to 4th January31st December 1600 - Queen Elizabeth I grants The East India Company a Royal Charter. 29th December 1170 - The death of Thomas Becket. 4th January 1912 - The Boy Scouts Association is granted its Royal Charter by King George V.Presented by Ron Brown and Jane Steel.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 22nd to 28th December22nd December 1972 - The Chilean Air Force finds fourteen survivors of a plane crash in the Andes, ten weeks after it happened. 25th December 800 - Charlemagne is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III. 26th December 1860 - Hallam FC and Sheffield FC contest the first ever match between two football clubs.Presented by Viji Alles and Caroline Nicholls.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 15th to 21st December16th December 1707 - The last recorded eruption of Mount Fuji in Japan. 18th December 1917 - The Soviet government recognises Finland's independence. 19th December 1843 - "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is published.Presented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 8th to 14th December 12th December 1963 - Jomo Kenyatta leads Kenya to independence 13th December 2003 - Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured by US forces near his hometown of Tikrit 9th December 1952 - The Great Smog of London finally clearsPresented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 1st to 7th December 4th December 1961 - Announcement of birth control pill approval and use on NHS 5th December 1933 - End of prohibition in the US 4th of December 1154 Pope Adrian IV elected – the only Englishman to ascend to papacyPresented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 24th to 30th November28th November 1893 - Women vote for the first time in New Zealand 24th November 1974 - Lucy, the most complete early human skeleton, is discovered 24th November 1852 - Matthew C Perry sets out on a 'diplomatic' mission to Japan.Presented by Caroline Nicholls and Ron Brown

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: the 17th to the 23rd of November17th November 1558 - The Death of Queen Mary the First 22nd November 1963 - John F. Kennedy is assassinated 23rd November 1963 - Doctor Who debuts on BBC TelevisionPresented by Ron Brown and Viji Alles Produced by Amanda Litherland and Sofie Vilcins

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 10th to 16th November11th November 1918 - A republic was declared in Poland 14th November 1680 - Gottfried Kirch discovers the Great Comet 16th November 1979 - Anthony Blunt is revealed as the 'fourth man' in the Cambridge spy ringPresented by Viji Alles and Ron Brown

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 3rd to 9th November3rd November 1534 - English parliament passes the Act of Supremacy 9th November 1938 - Kristallnacht 4th November 1922 - Discovery of Tutankhamun's tombPresented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 27th October to 2nd November31st October 1984 - Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi is assassinated 28th October 1726 - "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift is published. 30th October 1974 - Muhammad Ali defeats George Foreman in 'The Rumble In The Jungle'Presented by Viji Alles and Caroline Nicholls Produced by Stuart Ross and Amanda Litherland

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 20th October to 26th October - 25th October, 1400 - The death of the 'Father of English Poetry', Geoffrey Chaucer. - 21st October, 1805 - The Battle of Trafalgar: a British naval victory that would shape the nation's imperial future and identity. - 21st October, 1966 - A colliery spoil tip collapses in the village of Aberfan, South Wales, engulfing a school and killing 144 people, 116 of them children.Presented by Ron Brown and Jane Steel. Producers: Carys John and Sofie Vilcins.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: The 13th to the 19th of October.- 19th October 1987 Shares plunge after Wall Street crash - aka Black Monday - 13th October 1884 International Meridian Conference in Washington establishes Greenwich as the Universal Prime Meridian of longitude - 14th October 1926 A.A. Milne’s book Winnie-The-Pooh releasedPresented by Caroline Nicholls and Jane Steel. Producers: Chris Pearson and Sofie Vilcins.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: the 6th to the 12th October. 8th October 1769 - James Cook and the crew of HMS Endeavour land in New Zealand 9th October 2012 - 15 year old Malala Yousafzai survives a shooting by the Taliban. 9th October 1446 - King Sejong the Great creates the Korean Hangul alphabet.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 29th September to 5th October- 3rd October 1990. East and West Germany were officially reunified. - 29th September 1829. Formation of The Metropolitan police, London's first official police force. - 5th October 1962. The first James Bond film, Dr. No, had its world premiere.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 22nd September to 28th September- 22nd September 1692. The last eight victims are hanged in the Salem Witch trials - 22nd September 1968. A ceremony takes place to mark the relocation of the ancient Egyptian Abu Simbel temples - 25th September 1066. King Harold II wins the Battle of Stamford Bridge.Read by Ron Brown and Caroline Nicholls Produced by Chris Pearson

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 15th September to 21st September- 16th September 1620. The Mayflower sets sail from Plymouth to America - 19th September 1960. Britain deploys it's first Traffic Wardens - 21st September 1915. Cecil Chubb purchases Stonehenge

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 8th - 14th September- 9th September 1976. Death of Mao Zedong - 12th September 1846. HMS Terror and HMS Erebus, the British expedition searching for a Northwest Passage, become trapped in ice. - 12th September 1940. Discovery of the Lascaux Cave Paintings Presented by Viji Alles and Jane Steel. Producers: Sofie Vilcins and Luke Doran.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.This week: 1st September to 7th September- 1st September 1939. Operation Pied Piper begins, evacuating British children to the countryside - 7th September 1936. The last captive Thylacine, commonly known as the Tasmanian Tiger, dies in a zoo in Australia - 3rd September 1967. Sweden begins driving on the right-hand side of the roadPresented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown. Producers: Chris Pearson and Luke Doran.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history. With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: August 25th - August 31st - 27th August 1896. The British Empire defeat the sultanate of Zanzibar in the shortest recorded war in History. - 26th August 1994. Arthur Cornhill receives the world's first 'Bionic Heart'. - 29th August 1930. The evacuation of the archipelago of St Kilda.Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown. Produced by Chris Pearson and Luke Doran.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history. With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: August 18th - August 24th - 20th of August 1968. Soviet-led forces invade Czechoslovakia and crush the reform movement known as the “Prague Spring”. - 22nd of August 1485. The Battle of Bosworth Field ends The Wars of the Roses. - 23rd of August 1973. A bank siege leads to the identification of a contested psychiatric condition; Stockholm syndrome.Presented by Caroline Nicholls and Ron Brown. Produced by Stuart Ross.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history. With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: August 4th - August 10th - 15th of August 1947. Indian Independence began and the country woke to 'life and freedom'. But what was the impact of this new freedom? - 12th of August 1990. One of the world's largest T-Rex skeletons is discovered in South Dakota, prompting a long custody battle over who owns it. - 16th of August 1819. A peaceful protest for Parliamentary Reform was brutally suppressed in Manchester, an event that became known as the 'Peterloo Massacre'.Presented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles. Produced by Carys John and Luke Doran.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history. With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: August 4th - August 10th - 6th of August 1945. An atomic bomb is dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima; it is the first time a nuclear weapon is used during a war. - 6th of August 1991. The computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee launches the first web page. - 4th of August 1976. The first women's international cricket match is played at Lord's.Presented by Jane Steel and Ron Brown. Produced by Stuart Ross.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history. With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: July 28th - August 3rd - 3rd of August 1936. The African-American athlete Jesse Owens wins the first of his four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, in front of Adolf Hitler. - 1st of August 1774. The English chemist Joseph Priestley discovers oxygen, but did he get there first? - 28th of July 1939. The iconic Sutton Hoo helmet is unearthed in Suffolk and provides a connection to Britain’s Anglo-Saxon past. Presented by Ron Brown and Viji Alles. Produced by Stuart Ross.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history. With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: July 21st - July 27th - 26th of July 1956 - When the Suez Canal Company was nationalised in Egypt, it began a chain of events that led to the downfall of the British Prime Minister Anthony Eden. - 24th of July 1917- The trial begins of the apparent double-agent Mata Hari. But who was she really? - 24th of July 1936 - The Speaking Clock launches, becoming a revolutionary new automated service at the end of the phone line.Presented by Jane Steel and Caroline Nicholls. Produced by Amanda Litherland and Chris Pearson

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history. With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: July 14th - July 20th - 16th of July 1969 - The Apollo 11 spacecraft launches in to space, and sets down on the moon four days later. - 14th of July 1789 - the royal fortress prison Bastille was stormed by a crowd of angry Parisians, igniting the French Revolution. - 19th of July 1545 - Henry VIII's leading warship the Mary Rose capsizes and sinks in the Solent.Presented by Jane Steel and Caroline Nicholls. Produced by Amanda Litherland and Chris Pearson

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history. With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: July 7th - July 13th - 8th of July 1099 - In the first Crusade, Christians take part in the Siege of Jerusalem - 8th of July 1777 - the independent state of Vermont prohibits slavery, becoming first former British colony to do so. - 7th of July 1965 - Science programme Tomorrow's World debuts on BBC One Presented by Caroline Nicholls and Ron Brown Produced by Clara Nissen and Chris Pearson

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history. With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: June 30th - July 6th 1. 1st of July 1858 - The theory of evolution is first heard in public at The Linnean Society 2. 30th of June 1971 - The death of 3 cosmonauts shocks the USSR 3. 4th of July 1925 - The Shipping Forecast is broadcast for the first time on the BBC Presented by Viji Alles and Caroline Nicholls Produced by Luke Doran and Chris Pearson

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what has happened on this same week throughout history. With short vignettes of the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.This week: June 23rd - June 29th 1. 25th of June 1950 - North Korea invades South Korea, beginning the Korean War 2. 28th of June 1914 - Gavrilo Princip assassinates Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his wife Sophie. 3. 27th of June 1967 - World's first ATM is installed by Barclays Bank in Enfield, London Presented by Ron Brown and Caroline Nicholls Produced by Sofie Vilcins and Chris Pearson