Roundup

Mann's "1491" explores the Americas before Columbus

Our founding myth suggests the Americas were a lightly populated wilderness before Europeans arrived. Historian Charles C. Mann compiled evidence of a far more complex and populous pre-Columbian society. He tells John Ydstie about "1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus."

Dam project threatens Roman ruins in Turkey

Archaeologists are racing to finish excavating Roman ruins at the town of Allianoi before they're flooded by a new dam this fall. The Turkish state says a reservoir will allow farmers to irrigate their fields and earn more money. But some local farmers will lose their fields... and their homes... to the floods. Many are joining with scientists and civic groups in a bid to stop construction on the dam, which is already several years behind schedule.

Looking back 60 years to the end of the War in the Pacific

We continue our month-long look back 60 years to the end of the War in the Pacific as we focus on American soldiers. You'll hear a 2002 interview with Army veteran John Stensby, who served as part of the Corregedor defenses and became a Japanese prisoner of war. We'll also have a 1999 interview with Air Force veteran Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

Music & fashion, 6th of 6 -- Stardust memories

Nostalgia might be the very opposite of fashion, but it creates new fashions. Nostalgia for a time when the world still had style leads to cocktail drinking and Diana Krall. Did such times ever really exist? Why have certain types of music been fashionable at certain moments in history, and what might this tell us about the way in which human beings hear, appreciate and use music? Presenter Andrew Ford explores the transitory (and often unmusical) nature of fame.

Beautiful ladies, pretty lights -- A history of Kalgoorlie's brothels

Discovery of gold in Kalgoorlie, Australia in 1893 brought a rush of prospectors seeking their fortune. With the ratio of men to women in the fledgling town one hundred to one, prostitution flourished, and Kalgoorlie's reputation as a Wild West 'sin city' was born. Authorities herded the brothels into one section of town and re-named that part of the street 'Hay Street' -- in order to differentiate it from 'respectable' establishments in the rest of the street, like the courthouse and the police

August 21st 1983: Filipino opposition leader shot dead

The Philippines opposition leader, Benigno Aquino, has been assassinated just minutes after returning home from exile. Mr Aquino, 50, had spent the last three years in the US but was returning home to contest next year's expected elections. Speaking aboard the plane returning him to Manila, Mr Aquino told reporters he was well aware of the risk he was taking. I suppose there's a physical danger because you know assassination's part of public service," he said. "My feeling is we all hav

Face time with the President

By now, most of us have heard about Cindy Sheehan. Her son was killed in action in Iraq last year. Over the last few weeks, she camped in Crawford, Texas, near the President Bush's ranch, trying to get an explanation. But what will a few minutes of "face time" with the President really accomplish? We go back to a spring night in 1970 for some answers. In the heat of the Vietnam War, President Nixon had an impromptu meeting with anti-war protestors. Weekend America substitute host Alex

Vassar Clements, bluegrass virtuoso, 1928-2005

Mandolin player David Grisman pays tribute to fiddle great Vassar Clements, who died this week at 77. Grisman says Clements was a Nashville virtuoso and "one of the architects of bluegrass."

Lady Hamilton, a heroine for our times?

Julie Peakman, of Oxford Brookes University, discusses Horatio Nelson's mistress, Lady Hamilton. Peakman is author of Emma Hamilton: Life & Times Series. (Starts at 07:20)Join Sandi Toksvig every weekday from 12pm-2pm [London time] for a refreshing and at times irreverent journey through your London life. Sandi brings her unique perspective on the world. Each day Sandi is joined by a regular chum and the team -- here to bring you the perfect lunch.

Enron & "The Smartest Guys in the Room"

Enron went from the country's 7th-largest company to the country's 2nd-largest bankruptcy. So who was responsible? Director Alex Gibney gives us a behind-the-scenes and talks about his film "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room."

A final farewell to Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter S. Thompson will be memorialized in an extravagant festival in his hometown of Woody Creek, Col., on Saturday. Family and friends plan a spectacular sendoff for the gonzo journalist, who committed suicide in February. Andrea Lee of member station KAJX in Aspen reports on preparations for the event.

Dick Cavett relives his rock era

Robert Siegel talks with Dick Cavett about the release of "The Dick Cavett Show: Rock Icons," a DVD compilation of performances and interviews with music legends. Cavett's late-night show, launched on ABC in 1969, showcased a who's who of musicians of the day: Janis Joplin, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder, Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, and David Bowie. Note: This page includes links to 2 video clips each from Janis Joplin's "Dick Cavett Show" appearance on June 25t

Old rockers still borrow from black music

The remaining members of the Rolling Stones, together for 43 years, begin yet another tour. Commentator Clarence Page contemplates the state of rock music and how it continuously borrows from black music. Page is a Washington DC-based syndicated columnist for The Chicago Tribune.

New documentary revisits Emmett Till's lynching

The new documentary "The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till" revisits the events leading to the 14-year-old's lynching in Mississippi 50 years ago. Director Keith Beauchamp and Till's cousin, Simeon Wright, tell Ed Gordon about the film.

What is democracy?

The term 'democracy' was coined in ancient Athens in the 5th century BC. That state is generally seen as the earliest example of a system corresponding to some of the modern notions of democratic rule. Over time, the meaning of 'democracy' has changed. The non-profit, non-partisan democracy advocacy group Freedom House argues that there was not a single liberal democracy with universal suffrage in the world in 1900, but that today 120 of the world's 192 nations are such democracies. Doug Bernard

Once upon a time, 'classics' were flops

Time has a transformative effect on public and critical tastes for creative efforts. Many works that were poorly regarded upon release are now considered classics. Two vivid examples: Melville's "Moby-Dick" and the King James Bible.

UK's former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam dies

The death was announced this morning of the former Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo Mowlam. She was 55 and had been critically ill. Friends yesterday said her condition was rapidly deteriorating. Ms Mowlam -- one of New Labour's most popular figures -- stood down from the Commons at the 2001 general election after 14 years as an MP. She was made Northern Ireland Secretary when Labour came to power in 1997 and she quickly made a name for herself as a down-to-earth and brutally honest operator and n

Tributes to Mo Mowlam, former UK Northern Ireland Secretary

Once described as a "national treasure", Mo Mowlam has died aged 55. She was Labour MP for Redcar between 1987-2001 and oversaw the talks which led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. Friends and colleagues pay tribute to a woman described by Tony Blair as a "remarkable personality" and as one of the shrewdest political minds he ever encountered.

Hampton Court Palace opens its doors

Hampton Court Palace has not just been home to English and British Royalty over the centuries. George II was the last monarch to have his court in the palace in 1737 and subsequently it was sub-divided into varying sized accommodations. Called 'Grace and Favour' residences, these were apartments and houses granted through the 'grace and favour' of the sovereign. Under the palace roof, a fascinating mix of personalities lived and worked. Now one of the apartments is open to the public and houses

Reporting the War, 5th of 5

Anthony Howell reads extracts from Australian-born Alan Moorehead's despatches -- including an account of Field Marshal Montgomery taking the German surrender. BBC Paris Correspondent Allan Little selects and introduces some of the best writing from journalists who reported on World War II.