History

Demonstrators march down Constitution Avenue during the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963.

Books
Arts

The Politics Of Passing 1964's Civil Rights Act

6:35pm January 20, 2014

The act, among other things, ended the era of legal segregation in public accommodations, like restaurants and hotels. This year marks the 50th anniversary of its passage. Author Todd Purdum joins Fresh Air to talk about the legislative and political battles that surrounded it.

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Church Struggles With Protecting Emancipation Proclamation Draft

6:36pm January 18, 2014

by Heather Taylor

Important papers that document our nation's history, like the Constitution or the Bill of Rights, can be found at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. But another important historical document, handwritten and signed by President Abraham Lincoln, is on public display seven days a week at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in the nation's capital.

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WWII Female Air Force Pilots Still Flying High

1:07pm January 11, 2014

by Daniel Hajek

From 1943 to 1944, the Women Airforce Service Pilots flew more than 60 million miles across the United States chartering soldiers, test-flying planes and conducting training exercises during World War II. The 1,102 female pilots were honored at the Rose Parade on Wednesday, with eight veteran pilots taking a ride atop their float.

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An overseer sits in the shade while workers collect coffee beans on a Brazilian plantation, circa 1750.

Books
Arts

How Coffee Influenced The Course Of History

3:49pm January 09, 2014

by Lydia Zuraw

Once people figured out how to roast the seeds of the Coffea plant in the 1400s, coffee took over the world. In doing so, it fueled creativity, revolutions, new business ventures, literature, music — and slavery.

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A poster advertises a stage adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, starring actor William Gillette in 1899.

Books
Arts

Sherlock's Expiring Copyright: It's Public Domain, Dear Watson

9:53am January 08, 2014

by NPR Staff

The famous sleuth has discovered that U.S copyright law is anything but elementary. A federal judge recently ruled that elements of the Sherlock Holmes characters are now both licensed property of the Doyle estate and in the public domain. The Doyle estate plans to appeal the decision.

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Early 20th century British maids worked long, hard days with little time off.

Books
Arts

Visible And Invisible: 'Servants' Looks At Life Downstairs

5:28pm January 02, 2014

Author Lucy Lethbridge explores the history of British servants through their diaries, letters and memoirs. She says, "What I found particularly fascinating was how ... butlers were so butlery"; the old caricature of the clever manservant and the silly master is one "butlers have appeared to play to the hilt."

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Mountain Gorillas, one of the first dioramas on which Fred Scherer apprenticed, completed in 1936.

Arts

In The Background: Art You May Never Notice

12:31am December 18, 2013

by Claire O'Neill

Why that unassuming museum art — which you'll find behind taxidermic bison and birds — deserves a closer look.

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William Wong (standing) poses with his parents and nephew in an old family photo. Wong's mother immigrated to the U.S. from China as his father's "sister" to bypass the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

Chinese-American Descendants Uncover Forged Family Histories

12:30am December 18, 2013

by Hansi Lo Wang

The Chinese Exclusion Act, designed to prevent Chinese laborers from entering the country, prompted tens of thousands of people to use forged papers to enter the U.S. The law was repealed 70 years ago, but many Chinese-Americans are still piecing together their ancestors' true identities.

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Manischewitz-brined turkey centers the Thanksgivukkah feast, surrounded by challah-apple stuffing, sweet potato bourbon noodle kugel, horseradish-spiked mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts with pastrami and pickled onions, and latkes with cranberry applesau

Religion

Time To Mix Up The Manischewitz Turkey Brine For Thanksgivukkah

5:24pm December 16, 2013

by Deena Prichep

Jewish foodies say the flavors of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving are a culinary match made in heaven. And this Thanksgivukkah feast is especially sweet because it may not happen again for 80,000 years.

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JFK Had The Wit To Lampoon Himself

5:24pm December 16, 2013

Host Scott Simon looks back at the witticisms of President John F. Kennedy, with a little help from late night TV host and comedian Conan O'Brien.

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