Pearl Harbor survivor dies at 100
Bob Fernandez was a 17-year-old sailor on board the USS Curtiss during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack that propelled the U.S. into World War II.
World War II
In France, a family reckons with World War II Allies' legacy of rape and murder
In 1944, as Allied troops celebrated D-Day victory, a French family experienced a trauma that would be felt for generations: a murder and sexual assault so traumatic they are only now coming to terms with it.
How France uncovered the mystery of the forbidden photos of Nazi-occupied Paris
The search for the unknown photographer began in the summer of 2020, with the discovery of an old photo album at a flea market in southern France.
Inheriting: Leah & Japanese American Incarceration
Hey, Short Wavers! Today, we're sharing a portion of Inheriting, an 8-part limited series hosted by Emily Kwong about Asian American and Pacific Islander family history. In this excerpt, we follow the story of Leah Bash.
Leah is an avid runner, a dog mom, a wife – and there's a part of her family's history she can't stop thinking about. Both sides of her family were incarcerated during WWII, alongside 125,000 other Japanese Americans. After Leah learns about her father's struggles with panic attacks and is herself diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she starts to wonder: Could those experiences at camp have far-reaching consequences decades later?
Listen to Inheriting and check out the show's resource guide for more information on getting personal with the past.
Leah is an avid runner, a dog mom, a wife – and there's a part of her family's history she can't stop thinking about. Both sides of her family were incarcerated during WWII, alongside 125,000 other Japanese Americans. After Leah learns about her father's struggles with panic attacks and is herself diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she starts to wonder: Could those experiences at camp have far-reaching consequences decades later?
Listen to Inheriting and check out the show's resource guide for more information on getting personal with the past.
The dramatic story of Pointe du Hoc, the backdrop to Biden's D-Day anniversary speech
Over 200 U.S. Army Rangers scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc on D-Day to destroy German long-range guns stationed at the top. Less than half remained standing after two days of fighting.
Reflections on war past and present permeate D-Day's 80th anniversary
Reenactors and world leaders converge this week for World War II commemorations in Normandy, where Ukraine looms large.
Why the science of tides was crucial for D-Day
June 6, 1944 the Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy and took the Nazis by surprise in the largest sea-to-land invasion in history. This would be remembered as D-Day and would ultimately lead to the end of World War II in Europe. However, this planned attack wouldn't have been possible without deep knowledge of ocean tides! We get into the whole story, including why tides sit at the intersection of astronomy and marine ecology — and why understanding tides are key to a greener future.
Want to hear us cover more science history? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
Want to hear us cover more science history? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
As their time runs short, D-Day veterans try to keep their memories alive for others
With even the youngest of those men and women who were involved in the invasion nearing their 100th birthdays and their ranks dwindling rapidly, they feel a special imperative to tell their stories.
Lou Conter, last survivor of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, dies at 102
The seaman had a storied career in the Navy. Over 27 years he served, he survived the surprise attack by Japan, was shot down over the Pacific and was uninjured in the Korean War.
Why Ireland is one of the most pro-Palestinian nations in the world
One of the most pro-Palestinian nations in the world is not an Arab or Muslim country. It's not even in the Middle East. Polls show Ireland has some of the highest support for the Palestinians.