George Washington

March 25, 2015

George Washington certainly worried about the British army, but he may have been even more worried about smallpox, which had the potential to ravage his already-fragile army. That's how Washington became colonial America's champion of inoculation, the precursor to vaccines — but not without lots of protest.

Books

Washington was once quite literally a 'cesspool'

November 18, 2014

The history of Washington features plenty of mudslinging, fighting and division, and that's without even going inside Congress. Here's how the capital developed from the small, dirty, disorganized town it was in the 19th century into today's capital — and how that history still shapes the city.

A new British party borrows a famous old name for next year's election

November 04, 2014

The Whig Party was once a powerful force in British politics, but it's been a century and a half since the Whigs were on British ballots. Now a group is hoping to bring the Whig Party back for parliamentary elections next year and update the party's reformist agenda for 2015.

How the French won the American Revolution

July 04, 2014

There might be no Fourth of July holiday without the French. Their help was vital to the winning of the War for Independence, and the survival of the early republic. The tragic story of one French aristocrat illustrates that relationship. And it’s not Lafayette!

Lifestyle & Belief

Henry Liu is a musket-carrying member of the Lexington Minute Men. He's also Chinese American.

April 21, 2014

There are some requirements to be a Lexington Minute Man. You have to be a US citizen and you have to be male. Your ancestry, though, doesn't matter, either to other reenactors or, apparently, the crowds.

Environment

New Digital Public Library of America seeks to increase accessibility to treasured works

April 19, 2013

The Digital Public Library of America is seeking to build a large collection of digital archives that otherwise might not be widely available. It went online this week.

Iranian American dismayed to learn State Department no longer wants his services

April 15, 2013

Amir Mohammed Estakhri has spent nearly a dozen year working with the State Department as an Iranian-language translator. But, recently, he's learned his services are no longer needed -- and he thinks it may be because he translated for Iranian officials in the U.S. as well.

Arts, Culture & Media

Iran and the US: An Interpreter Working For Both Sides Hits a Wall

April 12, 2013

A California man who used to take pride in his role in helping facilitate communication between US and Iran may be facing a forced career change.

A New Perspective on the American Revolution

February 23, 2011

Conflict & Justice

John Yoo on expanding presidential power

January 22, 2010

In the spring of 2002, members of the Bush administration came to John Yoo, then a deputy Assistant Attorney General at the Justice Department, to help them decide the legal limits between interrogation and torture. We talk to Yoo about his new book.

Arts, Culture & Media

Thirty years after the eradication of smallpox

September 20, 2010

This year marks the thirtieth year since the disease smallpox was eradicated. What lessons can we take away from how we dealt with smallpox? Sharing his insights is Dr. Walt Orenstein of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Arts, Culture & Media

George Washington: a new history

October 08, 2010

Ron Chernow has written about big names in American history, but his latest book examines one of the biggest names in American history: George Washington. The book is called 'Washington: A Life.'

The anatomy of a great presidential speech

January 25, 2011

As we anticipate President Obama's second State of the Union Address, we're reminiscing about our favorite presidential speeches ? and thinking about what makes a speech great.

White House: how to prepare for State of the Union

January 25, 2011

How does the president and the White House prepare for such a major event as the State of the Union? How much of this speech is just a laundry list and how much is a real opportunity to talk to the public about moving forward?

George Washington Carver rode a peanut to fame, but wanted most to pull sharecroppers out of poverty with sustainable farming methods.

Obama Now Tweets, But Is His Message Getting Across?