BBC Archive

Curated extracts from the BBC's huge content archive.

Gems from the Archive

1974: The man who makes his own insecticide. Video, 00:05:01
Nationwide visits a chap who makes his own insecticide using cigarette butts and women's tights.
Attribution
On This Day
Posted
4 September 1974
1985: The Madonna craze. Video, 00:03:02
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
6 September 1985
Quiz: Tomorrow's World... future fact or fiction?
Attribution
BBC
1968: Equal pay for women. Video, 00:14:32
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
5 September 1968
1979: Fred Dibnah, Steeplejack. Video, 00:11:38
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
6 September 1979

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The Music Is Black

1983: Musical Youth go back to school. Video, 00:01:44
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
22 March 1983
1971: Calypso comes to Carnaby Street. Video, 00:03:07
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
6 May 1971
1979: Poly Styrene – Punk Pioneer. Video, 00:02:27
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
22 January 1979

1939: The Outbreak of World War II

1939: Nazi Germany invades Poland. Audio, 00:14:31
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
1 September 1939
1939: Britain declares war on Germany. Audio, 00:12:38
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
3 September 1939
1939: King George VI addresses the nation. Audio, 00:05:44
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
3 September 1939
1939: News - Outbreak of war with Germany. Audio, 00:01:36
Attribution
BBC Archive
Posted
3 September 1939

BBC Archive from around the UK

Explore thousands of BBC archive films. This unique collection shows life and events across the UK since the 1940s.

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1986: Manchester's second-hand fashion mecca. Video, 00:02:11
Attribution
BBC
Posted
10 hours ago
1984: Aardman Animations on bringing real life to the screen. Video, 00:04:35
Attribution
BBC
Posted
15 hours ago
1960: Britain's first traffic wardens begin patrolling London. Video, 00:02:04
Attribution
BBC
Posted
18 hours ago
1973: Gloria Steinem on creating Ms. Magazine. Video, 00:02:58
Attribution
BBC
Posted
1 day ago
1980: A trip to Jodrell Bank. Video, 00:05:32
Attribution
BBC
Posted
1 day ago
1976: Bristol's Bayeux tapestry. Video, 00:04:17
Attribution
BBC
Posted
2 days ago
1978: Dolly Parton talks ambition and family. Video, 00:02:59
Attribution
BBC
Posted
26 August
1995: Behind the scenes at Casualty. Video, 00:04:07
Attribution
BBC
Posted
17 August
1994: The serious business of dressing like a comedian. Video, 00:04:22
Attribution
BBC
Posted
14 August
1975: Worcester's secret sauce. Video, 00:03:26
Attribution
BBC
Posted
5 August
1975: Weymouth's sand sculptures. Video, 00:04:34
Attribution
BBC
Posted
4 August
1978: Life in a Birmingham Prefab. Video, 00:04:13
Attribution
BBC
Posted
3 August
1976: Water rationing in Jersey. Video, 00:01:49
Attribution
BBC
Posted
31 July
1991: Manbags in Manchester. Video, 00:04:48
Attribution
BBC
Posted
30 July
1975: The world's first shop for left-handers. Video, 00:04:05
Attribution
BBC
Posted
29 July
1976: How to keep your plants alive in a heatwave. Video, 00:05:05
Attribution
BBC
Posted
28 July
1966: Bringing football home in 1966. Video, 00:06:26
Attribution
BBC
Posted
16 July
1990: The classic red phone box. Video, 00:03:12
Attribution
BBC
Posted
30 June
1985: Dame Penelope Keith on her much-loved television roles. Video, 00:04:39
Attribution
BBC
Posted
29 June
1981: Look inside pop-up book 'Haunted House' Video, 00:05:54
Attribution
BBC
Posted
29 June
1986: GCSEs – a new qualification for school students. Video, 00:03:45
Attribution
BBC
Posted
15 June
1976: David Hockney on his early life and influences. Video, 00:04:33
Attribution
BBC
Posted
12 June
1979: Poly Styrene – Punk Pioneer. Video, 00:02:27
Attribution
BBC
Posted
29 May
1979: Muhammad Ali's Farewell Tour reaches Birmingham. Video, 00:04:09
Attribution
BBC
Posted
27 May

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