Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

The Donner Party

A gruesome tale of the American West, fleeing Vietnam by boat, plus Rasputin's murder in Tsarist Russia, remembering the Millenium Bug, and Soviet hero Alexei Stakhanov.

In 1846, a group of pioneers were trying to reach California by wagon when they were trapped by snow over the winter - and some were driven to cannibalism to survive. Their gruesome story has become a legend of the American West. Plus, fleeing Vietnam by boat, remembering the drama of the Millenium Bug, recalling Rasputin's murder in Tsarist Russia and we hear from the daughter of Soviet hero, Alexei Stakhanov.

PHOTO: The slopes of Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevada range, near Lone Pine, California, USA. 20/04/2008.

50 minutes

Last on

Mon 4 Jan 201604:06GMT
BBC World Service Australasia

More episodes

Previous

Michael Jackson's Thriller

Next

Castro Takes Havana

See all episodes from The History Hour

Broadcasts

  • Sat 2 Jan 201609:06GMT
    BBC World Service Online, UK DAB/Freeview & Americas and the Caribbean only
  • Sat 2 Jan 201611:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia
  • Sun 3 Jan 201602:06GMT
    BBC World Service except Australasia & News Internet
  • Sun 3 Jan 201622:06GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet & West and Central Africa
  • Mon 4 Jan 201604:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia

Podcast