In July 1987, the "Butcher of Lyon" was sentenced to life in prison by a French court. Four years earlier, the BBC reported on how France felt about this reckoning with its dark past.

At a Paramount Studios dinner party in 1957, one of show business' most glamorous – and notorious – snapshots was taken, of actress Sophia Loren next to Jayne Mansfield.

They helped to make Vincent van Gogh among the most famous and influential painters in the history of art. Why did sunflowers obsess him and so many other artists before and since?

Ma Rainey's sensational Prove It on Me Blues is a landmark song that had a profound and lasting effect.

Pixar's Elio has had the worst-ever box office opening for a film from the animation studio. It's part of a wave of original family cartoons failing at the box office.

Almost 55 years ago, Michael Eavis hosted the first of his legendary music festivals. In 1970, the BBC visited his Somerset dairy farm to find out what made it unique.

In June 1982, the BBC reported on the murder of Italian banker Robert Calvi, whose body was found in strange circumstances in central London.

In June 1993, Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel brought prehistoric monsters to life. Crichton spoke to the BBC about why dinosaurs continue to fascinate us.

The Profumo affair led to a minister's resignation in June 1963. In 1983, Christine Keeler spoke to the BBC about her part in a story of sex, lies and Cold War paranoia.

Having reached Everest's summit for the first time in 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay shared, with elation and relief, their victory with the BBC.

When Midnight Cowboy came out 56 years ago this week, it instantly upended Hollywood's idea of a mainstream hit. In its Academy Award-winning year, the BBC spoke to one of its actors.

In May 1943, a specially formed RAF squadron embarked on a daring moonlit mission. In 1976, the BBC spoke to one of the airmen who made it home alive.