Jean-Bédel Bokassa's coronation

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 against the South Vietnamese government and their American allies. The tunnel network was a key base and shelter for the North Vietna ...  Afficher plus

In April 1975, the American Freedom Train set out on a tour across the United States to celebrate 200 years of American independence.On-board were more than 500 priceless artefacts, documenting important moments in America's history - including an original copy of the Constitutio ...  Afficher plus

Orphaned as a six-year-old in the late 1920s, Jean-Bédel Bokassa eventually found stability and prestige in the French Army. When he finally returned home to the newly established Central African Republic, he used his military career and family connections to secure power. Govern ...  Afficher plus

Max Pearson presents a collection of this week's Witness History episodes from the BBC World Service.

We hear about the Scottish students who removed the 'Stone of Destiny' from Westminster Abbey in London. Former King Simeon II of Bulgaria explains how he went from chi ...

Max Pearson presents a collection of this week’s Witness History stories from the BBC World Service. Journalist Claude Angeli discovered French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing received diamonds from a depraved African emperor, which contributed to him losing the presidential e ...  Afficher plus

One of Africa's most famous radical leaders, Captain Thomas Sankara, was gunned down in a coup in Burkina Faso in October 1987. His overthrow was orchestrated by his old friend, Blaise Compaore. We hear from Thomas Sankara's brother, Paul.Photo: Captain Thomas Sankara in Zimbabwe ...  Afficher plus