In Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of Lithuania, learn how Grybauskaitė rose to leadership in a country shaped by Soviet control and conflict. Although she never planned to become a leader, she accepted the responsibility and later defended Lithuania’s independence with confidence, even when facing powerful leaders who expected her to be afraid. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story: The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Michelle Bachelet, Chile's First Woman President, learn how Michelle Bachelet challenged traditional expectations in a conservative country. As an atheist and a divorced single mother, she promoted gender equality by appointing an equal number of men and women to her cabinet, reshaping leadership norms. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story: The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
The article "Charlotta Bass: The Civil Rights Fighter Who Ran for U.S. Vice President" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a compelling story about Charlotta Bass, the first Black woman to run for vice president in the U.S. It traces her journey from journalist to political pioneer, highlighting her activism, bravery against the Ku Klux Klan, and surveillance by the FBI during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.
50,000 air miles. That's enough to circle the entire planet twice — and it's how far a private jet reportedly linked to FIFA President Gianni Infantino flew during the 2026 World Cup. In just over a month, Infantino attended 41 matches across North America, sometimes appearing at games in cities hundreds of miles apart on the same day. No, he didn't discover teleportation, and he definitely didn't outrun Messi or Mbappé. The real answer is a lot simpler — and a lot more expensive for the planet.
FIFA wouldn't confirm Infantino was on board, but BBC Verify tracked flight data from a private jet reportedly linked to him. The plane's movements lined up with Infantino's appearances in host cities. Over about a month, that jet flew 46 times — sometimes three flights in a single day.
All that flying comes at a real cost to the climate. Experts estimate the jet's emissions were roughly equal to one year's carbon footprint for 135 average people. That's a striking number, especially since FIFA had made environmental promises for the tournament, including grouping teams regionally — specifically to cut down on long-distance travel.
In Obama’s Presidential Victory, journalist Clive Myrie shows Barack Obama’s presidential victory as a historic turning point and the passing of a long-fought baton to a new generation of leadership. Drawing on voices from advisors, supporters, and Rhea McCauley, the niece of Rosa Parks, the video explores themes of dignity, perseverance, hope, and the belief that progress is possible when people reject cynicism and act together. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Obama: His Story, which traces Obama’s extraordinary journey to the presidency and its meaning within the broader African American freedom struggle.
In From Refugee to Presidential Candidate, host Radzi Chinyanganya introduces Fadumo Dayib, a refugee who overcame adversity to become a presidential candidate in Somalia. Fadumo reflects on her journey, how her background shaped her mindset, and how she visualized a better future for herself as a young girl. Fadumo’s story serves as an example of how believing in oneself can lead to transformative success. This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.
The article "Who Really Built the White House? The Hidden Story Behind America’s Presidential Home" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the creation of the White House, from George Washington’s vision to James Hoban’s design. It highlights how enslaved people and immigrant craftsmen built the home, revealing the untold history behind one of America’s most iconic buildings.
From the founding of the United States to the Civil War and beyond, American presidents have led the country through moments of conflict, expansion, crisis, and change.
This BBC video playlist explores figures including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and others, examining the decisions, ideas, and events that defined their presidencies.
Look beyond familiar stories to consider both their achievements and shortcomings. How did the challenges of their eras influence their choices, and how should we understand the complicated legacies of leaders who helped shape American history?
How Well Do You Know U.S. Presidents?
Presidents’ Day is a time to celebrate the leaders who have shaped the United States — from George Washington, the very first president, to Abraham Lincoln, who kept the country together, and Barack Obama, the first Black president. But how much do you really know about these famous figures, their fun hobbies, surprising pets, and historic accomplishments?
From presidential inventions and favorite pastimes to clever facts about the White House and the people who have lived there, this quiz is packed with fun and a few tricky twists. Will you be the Commander-in-Chief of Trivia?
In the late 1800s, the United States experienced rapid industrial growth. By 1900, the country had become the world’s leading producer of manufactured goods, and national wealth increased. But many farmers struggled as prices for their crops fell. Farmers blamed railroads and banks for making it harder to earn a living and began taking political action. In 1892, farmers and labor activists formed the Populist Party, also called the People’s Party.
The party called for changes such as government ownership of railroads and telephone and telegraph systems. Its presidential candidate, James B. Weaver, won more than a million votes but lost the election. In 1896, the Populists supported Democrat William Jennings Bryan, who adopted several of their ideas. After Bryan lost the election, the Populist Party declined and eventually stopped playing a major role in national politics.
After the Civil War, the South faced major economic and social changes as slavery came to an end. Reconstruction aimed to reunite the country and establish a new political and social order. During Presidential Reconstruction, Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson favored relatively lenient policies toward the former Confederate states. Disagreements with congressional Republicans led to a more forceful approach beginning in 1867, known as Radical Reconstruction. During this period, constitutional amendments abolished slavery, established birthright citizenship, and prohibited denying voting rights on the basis of race.
African Americans gained political representation, and Southern state governments introduced significant reforms. By the 1870s, however, support for Reconstruction weakened as white Southern Democrats known as Redeemers regained control of state governments. The withdrawal of federal troops in 1877 marked the end of Reconstruction and reduced federal enforcement of African Americans’ civil and political rights. Although Reconstruction brought important constitutional changes, its goals of securing lasting racial equality remained largely unrealized. The struggle for civil rights continued for generations and became a central focus of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s.
After leading the Union to victory in the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant became president in 1869. His administration faced political scandals and the economic crisis known as the Panic of 1873, weakening Republican support for Reconstruction. As Northern attention shifted toward economic concerns, efforts to protect the rights of formerly enslaved people in the South lost political backing. Meanwhile, white Southern Democrats used voter intimidation, election fraud, and racist appeals to regain political control.
The disputed presidential election of 1876 between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden led to the Compromise of 1877. Under the agreement, Hayes became president, and federal troops were withdrawn from the South. The withdrawal weakened federal enforcement of Reconstruction and allowed white Democratic governments to consolidate power across the region. The end of Reconstruction marked a major setback for efforts to protect African Americans’ civil and political rights and contributed to the rise of segregation and disenfranchisement in the South.
In Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of Lithuania, learn how Grybauskaitė rose to leadership in a country shaped by Soviet control and conflict. Although she never planned to become a leader, she accepted the responsibility and later defended Lithuania’s independence with confidence, even when facing powerful leaders who expected her to be afraid. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story: The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Michelle Bachelet, Chile's First Woman President, learn how Michelle Bachelet challenged traditional expectations in a conservative country. As an atheist and a divorced single mother, she promoted gender equality by appointing an equal number of men and women to her cabinet, reshaping leadership norms. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story: The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
The article "Charlotta Bass: The Civil Rights Fighter Who Ran for U.S. Vice President" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a compelling story about Charlotta Bass, the first Black woman to run for vice president in the U.S. It traces her journey from journalist to political pioneer, highlighting her activism, bravery against the Ku Klux Klan, and surveillance by the FBI during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.
50,000 air miles. That's enough to circle the entire planet twice — and it's how far a private jet reportedly linked to FIFA President Gianni Infantino flew during the 2026 World Cup. In just over a month, Infantino attended 41 matches across North America, sometimes appearing at games in cities hundreds of miles apart on the same day. No, he didn't discover teleportation, and he definitely didn't outrun Messi or Mbappé. The real answer is a lot simpler — and a lot more expensive for the planet.
FIFA wouldn't confirm Infantino was on board, but BBC Verify tracked flight data from a private jet reportedly linked to him. The plane's movements lined up with Infantino's appearances in host cities. Over about a month, that jet flew 46 times — sometimes three flights in a single day.
All that flying comes at a real cost to the climate. Experts estimate the jet's emissions were roughly equal to one year's carbon footprint for 135 average people. That's a striking number, especially since FIFA had made environmental promises for the tournament, including grouping teams regionally — specifically to cut down on long-distance travel.
In Obama’s Presidential Victory, journalist Clive Myrie shows Barack Obama’s presidential victory as a historic turning point and the passing of a long-fought baton to a new generation of leadership. Drawing on voices from advisors, supporters, and Rhea McCauley, the niece of Rosa Parks, the video explores themes of dignity, perseverance, hope, and the belief that progress is possible when people reject cynicism and act together. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Obama: His Story, which traces Obama’s extraordinary journey to the presidency and its meaning within the broader African American freedom struggle.
In From Refugee to Presidential Candidate, host Radzi Chinyanganya introduces Fadumo Dayib, a refugee who overcame adversity to become a presidential candidate in Somalia. Fadumo reflects on her journey, how her background shaped her mindset, and how she visualized a better future for herself as a young girl. Fadumo’s story serves as an example of how believing in oneself can lead to transformative success. This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.
The article "Who Really Built the White House? The Hidden Story Behind America’s Presidential Home" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the creation of the White House, from George Washington’s vision to James Hoban’s design. It highlights how enslaved people and immigrant craftsmen built the home, revealing the untold history behind one of America’s most iconic buildings.
From the founding of the United States to the Civil War and beyond, American presidents have led the country through moments of conflict, expansion, crisis, and change.
This BBC video playlist explores figures including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and others, examining the decisions, ideas, and events that defined their presidencies.
Look beyond familiar stories to consider both their achievements and shortcomings. How did the challenges of their eras influence their choices, and how should we understand the complicated legacies of leaders who helped shape American history?
How Well Do You Know U.S. Presidents?
Presidents’ Day is a time to celebrate the leaders who have shaped the United States — from George Washington, the very first president, to Abraham Lincoln, who kept the country together, and Barack Obama, the first Black president. But how much do you really know about these famous figures, their fun hobbies, surprising pets, and historic accomplishments?
From presidential inventions and favorite pastimes to clever facts about the White House and the people who have lived there, this quiz is packed with fun and a few tricky twists. Will you be the Commander-in-Chief of Trivia?
In the late 1800s, the United States experienced rapid industrial growth. By 1900, the country had become the world’s leading producer of manufactured goods, and national wealth increased. But many farmers struggled as prices for their crops fell. Farmers blamed railroads and banks for making it harder to earn a living and began taking political action. In 1892, farmers and labor activists formed the Populist Party, also called the People’s Party.
The party called for changes such as government ownership of railroads and telephone and telegraph systems. Its presidential candidate, James B. Weaver, won more than a million votes but lost the election. In 1896, the Populists supported Democrat William Jennings Bryan, who adopted several of their ideas. After Bryan lost the election, the Populist Party declined and eventually stopped playing a major role in national politics.
After the Civil War, the South faced major economic and social changes as slavery came to an end. Reconstruction aimed to reunite the country and establish a new political and social order. During Presidential Reconstruction, Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson favored relatively lenient policies toward the former Confederate states. Disagreements with congressional Republicans led to a more forceful approach beginning in 1867, known as Radical Reconstruction. During this period, constitutional amendments abolished slavery, established birthright citizenship, and prohibited denying voting rights on the basis of race.
African Americans gained political representation, and Southern state governments introduced significant reforms. By the 1870s, however, support for Reconstruction weakened as white Southern Democrats known as Redeemers regained control of state governments. The withdrawal of federal troops in 1877 marked the end of Reconstruction and reduced federal enforcement of African Americans’ civil and political rights. Although Reconstruction brought important constitutional changes, its goals of securing lasting racial equality remained largely unrealized. The struggle for civil rights continued for generations and became a central focus of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s.
After leading the Union to victory in the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant became president in 1869. His administration faced political scandals and the economic crisis known as the Panic of 1873, weakening Republican support for Reconstruction. As Northern attention shifted toward economic concerns, efforts to protect the rights of formerly enslaved people in the South lost political backing. Meanwhile, white Southern Democrats used voter intimidation, election fraud, and racist appeals to regain political control.
The disputed presidential election of 1876 between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden led to the Compromise of 1877. Under the agreement, Hayes became president, and federal troops were withdrawn from the South. The withdrawal weakened federal enforcement of Reconstruction and allowed white Democratic governments to consolidate power across the region. The end of Reconstruction marked a major setback for efforts to protect African Americans’ civil and political rights and contributed to the rise of segregation and disenfranchisement in the South.