The Whisky War: Denmark v Canada
Witness History1 Maalis 2024

The Whisky War: Denmark v Canada

In 1984, a diplomatic dispute broke out between Canada and Denmark over the ownership of a tiny island in the Arctic.

The fight for Hans Island off the coast of Greenland became known as the Whisky War. Both sides would leave a bottle of alcohol for the enemies after raising their national flag.

What could be the friendliest territorial dispute in history came to an end in 2022, with the agreement held up as an example of how diplomacy should work.

Janice Fryett hears from Tom Hoyem and Alan Kessel, politicians on either side of the bloodless war.

A Made in Manchester Production for the BBC World Service.

(Photo: Tom Hoyem with a Danish flag on Hans Island. Credit: Niels Henriksen)

Jaksot(2000)

Chile's 'Penguin Revolution'

Chile's 'Penguin Revolution'

In 2006, hundreds of thousands of school children in Chile took over their schools and marched in the streets, in a protest about inequality in education. It was known as the "Penguin Revolution" bec...

28 Tammi 9min

The liberation of Auschwitz

The liberation of Auschwitz

On 27 January 1945, prisoners at the Nazis’ largest death camp were freed by the Soviet Union’s Red Army.General Vasily Petrenko commanded one of the four units that liberated Auschwitz.The Nazis murd...

27 Tammi 10min

John Logie Baird invents television

John Logie Baird invents television

On 26 January 1926, John Logie Baird first demonstrated his 'televisor' in public. It was the prototype for television. Many people couldn't believe what they were seeing whilst others thought it was ...

26 Tammi 10min

Agatha Christie: best-selling novelist of all time

Agatha Christie: best-selling novelist of all time

On 12 January 1976, author Agatha Christie died peacefully, aged 85.She created the detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.By the time of her death, Christie had written more than 80 books. Most of...

23 Tammi 10min

The Challenger space shuttle tragedy

The Challenger space shuttle tragedy

On 28 January 1986, a space shuttle launch went wrong.Six astronauts and a teacher, Christa McAuliffe, were killed.In 1984, US President Ronald Reagan had announced that Nasa would search for a member...

22 Tammi 10min

Operation Mincemeat

Operation Mincemeat

In the early hours of 30 April, 1943, one of the most audacious hoaxes of World War Two has just got underway. Its code-name - Operation Mincemeat.The body of a British naval officer, Major William Ma...

21 Tammi 10min

The Irish priest who built an airport

The Irish priest who built an airport

In May 1986, a new airport opened in Knock in the west of Ireland. It was the dream of an Irish priest, Monsignor James Horan, who raised millions to have it built. The location for the airport seeme...

20 Tammi 9min

Exiled Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran

Exiled Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran

In February 1979, after the Shah left Iran, religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini flew back to Tehran from Paris.He had been in exile and was greeted by millions of people lining the streets. In 2011, M...

19 Tammi 10min

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

olipa-kerran-otsikko
kolme-kaannekohtaa
siita-on-vaikea-puhua
i-dont-like-mondays
poks
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
antin-palautepalvelu
sita
aikalisa
yopuolen-tarinoita-2
mamma-mia
kaksi-aitia
rss-murhan-anatomia
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
meidan-pitais-puhua
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
rss-nikotellen
rss-palmujen-varjoissa
rss-haudattu
terapeuttiville-qa