JFK Had The Wit To Lampoon Himself
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.
History
Deep In China, 'Cowboys' Have Skied For Thousands Of Years
On wooden skis, the Tuvan people of Central Asia have been traversing the snow for at least 4,000 years. Travel writer Mark Jenkins went to the region for National Geographic, where he joined a group of lasso-wielding men on skis tracking elk.
South Africans Reflect On Mandela's 'Rainbow Nation'
Equality for all South Africans, regardless of race or color, was at the core of the struggle against apartheid. Nineteen years after Nelson Mandela was sworn in as the first black president in the country's first democratic elections, what is the status of race relations?
Game Director Shifts From 'Grand Theft Auto' To Iranian Revolution
A blockbuster video game director is working on a game where you don't shoot back. It puts the player inside the Iranian Revolution of 1979, and it's a financial and personal risk to the game makers.
Adrift In Frigid Water, Not Caring 'If You Live Or Die'
A ship called the Daniel J. Morrell was making its last haul of the season when it broke apart in a heavy storm on Lake Huron in November 1966. A few crew members struggled to stay afloat in the driving wind and waves, but ultimately, Dennis Hale was the shipwreck's sole survivor.
Underground Cities And 'Ghost' Miners: What Some People Do For Gold
South Africa's Mponeng gold mine is a 2.5-mile-deep network of chutes and tunnels that employs about 4,000 miners. Of course, that number doesn't include the miners who wander its tunnels clandestinely, stealing and refining ore. In a new book, journalist Matthew Hart investigates why gold and crime sometimes go hand in hand.
Party Like It's 1799: Traditional Cider Makes A Comeback
Cider is still a small part of the overall alcohol market, but it's growing faster than any other category — and not just the hot mulled stuff that steams up your kitchen. This cider is more like sparkling wine. Some of it is made with the same apple varieties, and in the same style, as the cider bottled by Thomas Jefferson.
Florida Tribe Re-Creates Daring Escape From The Trail Of Tears
More than 150 years ago, Polly Parker, a Seminole Indian, organized and led an escape from federal troops who were deporting Indians to the West. Parker traveled through hundreds of miles of wilderness to get back to tribal lands. The tribe is marking the event by following that dangerous journey.
An Unlikely Explorer Stumbles Into Controversy
The mostly forgotten explorer Paul du Chaillu first introduced the world to gorillas. His methods were attacked and his work discredited during his lifetime, but he also experienced fame and redemption. Now, there's a new book that tells his story.
Squash Your Thanksgiving With Tips From The Test Kitchen
Tired of the same old pumpkin pie or squash side dish? Morning Edition challenged Chris Kimball of America's Test Kitchen to shake up Thanksgiving with recipes that put a new spin on the humble gourd. His chosen recipes include barley risotto with butternut squash and maple-pumpkin stack cake.