Nov 13 Watch 7:07 Why a library fire feels like an ‘attack on humanity’ By Jeffrey Brown In April 1986, fire raged through the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles, damaging or destroying more than a million books. Journalist and author Susan Orlean resurrects this nearly forgotten story in “The Library Book,” which also explores the emotional… Continue watching
Nov 05 Watch 6:57 In ‘These Truths,’ historian Jill Lepore weaves in underappreciated political stories A new, single volume of history sets out to explore the experiment in government that is the United States. Jeffrey Brown sits down with award-winning Harvard historian Jill Lepore, author of “These Truths: A History of the United States,” to… Continue watching
Nov 01 Watch 8:44 Political conflict arises in Spain over the fate of Franco’s body By Malcolm Brabant In Spain, a constitutional debate has arisen over the body of former dictator Francisco Franco. The new left-wing government wants to relocate Franco's remains, which lie in the Valley of the Fallen, a Spanish civil war monument near Madrid. But… Continue watching
Jul 23 How a hotel convention became ground zero for this deadly bacteria By Dr. Howard Markel From July 21 to July 24, 1976, more than 2,000 members of the Pennsylvania chapters of the American Legion attended their annual state convention at a Philadelphia hotel. By Aug. 15, 182 Legionnaires who attended the convention were ill with… Continue reading
Jun 06 Watch 6:31 This ancient DNA revolution is unlocking just how interconnected we are By Jeffrey Brown Researchers are using the latest genetic sequencing technology to understand to a surprising degree the movements and interactions of very ancient humans. At the forefront of this revolution, David Reich is trying to answer very big questions, like "Who We… Continue watching
Jun 06 Column: How I told Sirhan Sirhan’s father that his son killed Bobby Kennedy By Terence Smith Interviewing him in English at the table, I discovered that Sirhan had heard the news about Kennedy, but had gone to bed before the assassin’s name had been announced. Continue reading
May 28 Watch 8:01 What history teaches us about surviving times of turmoil In "The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels," Jon Meacham tries to offer historical context and a sense of proportion for our current times. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author is best known for his presidential biographies of Andrew… Continue watching
May 03 Opinion: Facing history at the national lynching memorial By Jon Sawyer, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting History is so alive across Alabama that it doesn’t feel like history, it feels like now. Continue reading
Apr 12 Franklin D. Roosevelt’s painfully eloquent final words By Dr. Howard Markel FDR’s health finally gave out after years of carrying the weight of the United States, and ultimately the free world, on his muscular shoulders. Continue reading
Mar 21 Your trip to the dentist wouldn’t include anesthesia without this doctor By Dr. Howard Markel Our collectively aching teeth thank you, Dr. Carl Koller. Continue reading