Sierra Leone: Where Colin Powell Felt His Roots
The West African nation is in the news today because of the tragic Ebola outbreak. It once played a part in another tragedy: the U.S. slave trade.
History
Jacqueline Woodson On Being A 'Brown Girl' Who Dreams
In her new memoir for young adults, Woodson uses free verse to tell the story of growing up in the 1960s and 1970s. Her work for young readers often touches on themes of race and identity.
The History Of Light, In 6 Minutes And 47 Seconds
You can trace 4,000 years of economic growth through the history of light. The ways we got from a candle, made from of animal fat, to the LED lights we have today tell a lot about our modern economy.
Preserving Black History, Americans Care For National Treasures At Home
The relics of African-American families help tell the story of America, the Smithsonian says. Museum experts are traveling the country to help identify and care for items of cultural significance.
13 Days Of High Emotion That Led To The Egypt-Israel Peace
Lawrence Wright's new book examines the 1978 peace deal President Carter brokered between Egypt and Israel. During the tense summit, Carter had "never been angrier," Wright says.
3 Roosevelts Come Alive In PBS Documentary, Ken Burns' Best Yet
A 14-hour biography of Theodore, Eleanor and Franklin Delano starts Sunday. Actors including Paul Giamatti and Meryl Streep put on Emmy-worthy vocal performances reading from an Emmy-worthy script.
Ship Found From Doomed 1845 Arctic Expedition, Canada Says
Steve Inskeep talks to Paul Watson, a Toronto Star columnist, about the discovery from the Franklin Expedition, which went missing 169 years ago while searching for the Northwest passage.
Ken Burns' 'The Roosevelts' Explores An American Family's Demons
In a new PBS documentary series, Burns turns his lens to Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and how each triumphed over adversity.
U.S. Flag's History Inspire Mixologists To Get Creative
The Smithsonian held a contest for a drink to celebrate U.S.-British friendship — after the attack 200 years ago. The winner: Gunpowder Cream: a mix of rum, English tea and maple syrup.
Christ In Context: 'Zealot' Explores The Life Of Jesus
Reza Aslan converted to Christianity when he was a teenager, but became more interested in Jesus than as a Messiah. His book, Zealot, considers Jesus in the context of the time and place he lived in.