Kee Facts: A Few Things You Didn't Know
Adventures from the reference desk with NPR librarian Kee Malesky.
Swiss guards march prior to a swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican on Sunday. This year, 26 Swiss men are joining the oldest standing army in the world, swearing to give up their lives to protect the pope. The ceremony is held every May 6 to commemorate the day in 1527 when 147 Swiss Guards died protecting Pope Clement VII during the sack of Rome.
How Swiss Guards And Sacred Geese Saved Rome
()From Gauls to Goths to soldiers of the Holy Roman Empire, many outsiders have tried to destroy the Eternal City, with varying degrees of success. Rome has been defended repeatedly, by courageous fighters and once by a flock of geese. May 6 is the anniversary of the last and most devastating sacking of Rome.
How A Thousand Points Of Light Lit The National Tree()
December 24, 2011 Billions of brilliant lights sparkle on houses and trees around the nation as people celebrate the Christmas season. Those lights have also given American presidents reason to joyfully flip the switch on the national tree for nearly 90 years.
How Many Gills In A Cubic Dekameter?()
October 9, 2011 It's time to celebrate millimeters, kilograms, liters and hectares! it's National Metric Week, and the U.S. stands almost alone in its lack of affection for the Système international d'unités. Serious repercussions have resulted; just ask NASA about their Mars Orbiter.
An American Rebellion, Sparked By Tough Times()
August 28, 2011 Times are hard. The economy's a mess. Citizens are frustrated with the government. Politicians make speeches, but nothing seems to change. People object to having the nation's debt on their shoulders, and they take to the streets to show their anger. The Tea Party in 2011? No, Shays' Rebellion in 1786.
The First Supercomputer Vs. 'The Desk Set'()
June 19, 2011 UNIVAC, short for Universal Automatic Computer, was put into service 60 years ago this week. NPR librarian Kee Malesky says librarians have a special relationship with electronic brains — thanks to a romantic comedy starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.
Lawn Jockeys: The Kentucky Derby's Earliest Stars()
May 7, 2011 "The most exciting two minutes in sports" has its own dress code: If you want to enter the Jockey Club, the Finish Line suites or the Turf Club, it's no jeans, shorts or tennis shoes allowed. We're not so picky here, though, so chug that mint julep and grab a slice of Derby pie, because NPR librarian Kee Malesky is taking us to the races!
The Civil War's First Death Was An Accident()
April 9, 2011 April 14 marks the date 150 years ago that the first person was killed in the Civil War. But there's more to the story, and NPR's heralded research librarian Kee Malesky has a special connection to it.
How D.C.'s Cherry Blossoms Almost Didn't Bloom()
March 26, 2011 It was a gift of friendship more than 100 years ago that eventually led to the National Cherry Blossom Festival. NPR librarian Kee Malesky tells us how the first of D.C.'s most famous trees suffered a disastrous fate.
A Library Saved And More About Egypt()
March 4, 2011 Kee Malesky, NPR's longest-serving librarian, tells us about a strange goopy substance, the Suez Canal and an act of heroism in Egypt that had librarians worldwide cheering.
Author Interviews
'All Facts Considered' By NPR's Longtime Librarian()
October 23, 2010 Did you know that the average American drinks 22.7 gallons of coffee a year? Or that watermelons are vegetables? Kee Malesky does. For 20 years, Malesky, NPR's longest-serving librarian, has done the research to keep us all accurate. She compiles her favorite bits of "inessential knowledge" in a new book.
