Congress and the history of disfunction
Pundits, politicians and journalists are apt to call this chaotic congressional moment unprecedented. NPR's Juana Summers speaks with historian John Farrell about whether that is true.
History
This Congressman-elect swears by (and on) vintage Superman
Congressman-elect Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) will (eventually) swear himself in on a copy of the Constitution, a photo of his parents, his certificate of U.S. citizenship and ... a copy of Superman #1.
The House last struggled to elect a speaker 100 years ago. Here's what happened
Both Kevin McCarthy and the nominee for speaker a century ago represented a party establishment regarded with hostility by a potent faction of the party. They became the embodiment of its grievances.
This man's recordings spent years under a recliner — they've now found a new home
More than a century ago, a Met librarian made some of the first live music recordings. Now, (with an assist from NPR) 16 of the Mapleson Cylinders are joining the New York Public Library collection.
How the Jan. 6 committee used TV tactics and dark humor in its case against Trump
Reporter Luke Broadwater says the committee hired a former news producer to hit Trump where it hurt: "His whole career was built on television, and they were able to use that very medium against him."
'American Caliph' revisits one of the most dramatic hostage crises in U.S. history
In 1977, gunmen led by a charismatic Muslim leader stormed three locations in Washington, D.C., taking more than 100 people hostage. Journalist Shahan Mufti examines the incident in a new book.
Once a boarding school, a college now aims to reclaim education for Native people
A college in Colorado that was once a boarding school offers perspectives on opportunities and obstacles for Native American scholars now.
Here's what 2023 has in store, as predicted by experts in 1923
A researcher collected century-old newspaper clippings with predictions in fields ranging from public health to beauty to transportation. Some have proven more accurate than others.
This artist stayed figurative when art went abstract — he's finally recognized, at 99
Figurative painter Jonah Kinigstein was shut out of the art world when abstract expressionism came to prominence. Now he's finally getting some recognition.
Why retired pope Benedict's funeral will be so unusual
Benedict was the first pope to step down in nearly 600 years, creating a rare relationship between a sitting and former pope.