Roundup

Our House

Blogger Matt Dattilo, on the verge of closing the purchase of his first home, recounts what he's been able to learn about the misfortunes of the house's Depression-era owner. Charming.

Field of the Cloth of Gold

In the spring of 1520 six thousand Englishmen and women packed their bags and followed their King across the sea to France. They weren't part of an invasion force but were attendants to King Henry VIII and travelling to take part in the greatest and most conspicuous display of wealth and culture that Europe had ever seen. They were met by Francis I of France and six thousand French noblemen and servants on English soil in Northern France and erected their temporary palaces, elaborate tents, jous

Empire (9th of 90) -- 1590: Disaster at Roanoke

The first English child to be born in America was baptised, Virginia in August 1587. She would survive her birth, but not the hostile surroundings of that first settlement at Roanoke. The settlement had been sold to investors as a new Eden. Elizabeth had given her blessing. A new town would be called Ralegh. There would be a governor, John White, baby Virginia's grandfather. This was to be true colonisation because for the first time in any expedition, families were included at the start. But re

Ethelred the Unready

England's late Saxon monarchy is Professor Bob Packett's topic today. Packett teaches at Maple Woods Community College, in Kansas City, Missouri.

6 October 1981: Egypt's President Sadat assassinated

President Sadat of Egypt has died after being shot by gunmen who opened fire as he watched an aerial display at a military parade. A number of other dignitaries including foreign diplomats were killed or seriously wounded. The Egyptian authorities have declared a state of emergency. President Sadat was attending the eighth anniversary of the Yom Kippur war with Israel as Field Marshal of the armed forces. He had taken the salute, laid a wreath and was viewing an aerial display from the Egyptian

6 October 1973: Arab states launch war on Israeli forces

Heavy fighting has erupted between Arab and Israeli forces along two fronts. To the south, Egyptian armoured forces have broken the Israeli line on the eastern bank of the Suez Canal. In the north, Syrian troops and tanks are battling with Israeli defences along the Golan Heights seized by Israel from Syria in 1967. Both sides have accused each other of firing the first shots, but UN observers have reported seeing Egyptian and Syrian troops crossing into Israeli-held territory. Israeli defence m

Bubonic Plague Type

Professor Bob Packett's topic today is the differences between the three types of plague -- Classic Type A, Classic Type B, and pneumonic. Packett teaches at Maple Woods Community College, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Studs Terkel

Legendary broadcaster and author Studs Terkel comments on President Bush, Mahalia Jackson, James Baldwin, Louis Armstrong, the rebuilding of New Orleans, and what gives him hope. He's one of the great social historians of our time. He prefers to call himself a "guerrilla journalist with a tape recorder." Born in 1912 in New York City, Studs Terkel moved with his family to Chicago at the age of ten where he spent most of his life. Over the years he has worked as an activist, a civil ser

Unearthing Unknown Monk, Coltrane Recording

One day in late January, Larry Appelbaum was thumbing through some old Voice of America audiotapes about to be digitized at the Library of Congress when he made a discovery that would stun him and many other jazz fans. Eight 10-inch reels of acetate tape were labeled "Carnegie Hall Jazz 1957." One of the tape boxes had a hand-written note on the back that said "T. Monk" with some song titles. Appelbaum, a jazz specialist at the Library Congress, got pretty excited at the pros

1918 Flu's Genetic Code May Help Fight Bird Flu (2 clips)

Scientists have decoded the genetic structure of the influenza virus that killed tens of millions of people soon after World War I. The research fulfills more than a mere historical curiosity. With fears about an impending pandemic from avian flu, the work provides insight into the structure of killer flu viruses that might lead to better medicines against them. More clips: 1918 Killer Flu Reconstructed on NPR"All Things

The Life and Struggles of Hattie McDaniel

A new biography examines the life and struggles of actress Hattie McDaniel, best known for her powerful portrayal of Mammy in the 1939 film Gone With The Wind. McDaniel won an Academy Award for that role -- the first African-American to do so. Guest: Jill Watts, author of the book Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood.

Panel Points to Perpetrators of Srebrenica Massacre

A Bosnian Serb commission says it has identified more than 17,000 Serb soldiers who took part in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. The massacre has been described as the worst war crime in Europe since World War II.

Selling Hanover's Silver

It's been described as a flea market for the rich: The German House of Hanover is selling 20,000 of its prized possessions. Birgit Koch from North German Radio explains what is on offer.

Evolution questioned by today's Christian sects on Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands -- 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador - are famed for the unique wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. But today these isolated islands are also home to several Christian sects, including Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons; many of whom question evolution and believe in a creationist approach to the origins of earth. Ruth Evans meets a Jehovah's Witness who also works as a naturalist guide on the islands to find out how he reconci

Empire (8th of 90) -- Sir Walter Ralegh and Virginia

The letters patent granted to Ralegh in 1584 contradict the idea that the English created an empire by accident to a degree. The single extract "...granted by the Queen's Majesty to Master Walter Ralegh, now knight, for the discovering and planting of new lands and countries…" suggests Ralegh was instructed to set up colonies. "This Sceptred Isle: Empire" is a narrative history of the British Empire from Ireland in the 12th century to the independence of India in the 20th, to

Ramadan Begins for Many Muslims

Muslims around the world are beginning the holy month of Ramadan, which started Tuesday throughout much of North Africa and the Middle East. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, required of all believers who are able to do so. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, and fasting from dawn till dusk is required for all Muslims who are physically able to do it. There are exceptions for the seriously ill, for pregnant women or nursing mothers, and for travelers.

15th Anniversary of Germany’s Reunification

Germany marks the 15th anniversary of its historic reunification Monday. An overwhelming majority of Germans firmly support unification, which followed East Germany's peaceful mass protests in 1989 that brought the Berlin Wall down. A ZDF TV poll showed 91 per cent in the east and 82 per cent in the west view reunification as having brought major improvements. But despite all the progress since October 3, 1990 when East Germany was absorbed by West Germany, there remains an underlying bitterness

New national maritime museum opens in Australia

The Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre in Sydney is in a high security area normally off limits to the public. The Royal Australian Navy is revealing a huge collection of maritime artefacts collected over more than a century of war and peace. There are deck guns and ship's bells and the conning tower of a Japanese midget submarine, which attacked Sydney Harbour in World War Two.

Tracking How Evolution Theory Came to Be

Historian Edward Larson has written extensively on the intersection of science, politics and religion. In 2004, "Larson's Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory" traced the contentious history of the theory of evolution -- from before Darwin to arguments now taking place over school curricula and other issues.

Comedian Ronnie Barker, 1929-2005 (3 clips)

TV comedy actor Ronnie Barker, who starred in"Porridge" and"The Two Ronnies", has died aged 76. One of the most loved and respected comedy performers of his generation, he was best known as one half of a double act with Ronnie Corbett. But he also proved himself as an outstanding sitcom actor and script writer, winning four Bafta TV awards. More clips: Giant of TV comedy Barker dies, 76 on RTÉ"One News"; and