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The American Revolution was a war for independence, but many enslaved black people found liberty by joining the British. New research documents the story of one South Carolina teenager who became a hero in the British army.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.'
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.
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?
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A New Perspective on the American Revolution
The Takeaway
February 23, 2011
Conflict & Justice
John Yoo on expanding presidential power
The Takeaway
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
The Takeaway
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
The Takeaway
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.'
Global Politics
The anatomy of a great presidential speech
The Takeaway
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.
Global Politics
White House: how to prepare for State of the Union
The Takeaway
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?
Farmer George
Living on Earth
June 04, 1999
Letters
Living on Earth
June 25, 1999
The Life and Legacy of a Creative Scientist
Living on Earth
June 17, 2011
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?
The Takeaway
July 07, 2011