U.S. soldiers return fire upon a sudden attack by Taliban on Combat Outpost Badel in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, Dec. 25. Rafiq Maqboold/AP hide caption

The "don't ask, don't tell" repeal legislation that allows gays to serve openly in the military sits on a desk at the Interior Department on Dec. 22, 2010, prior to President Obama's signing it. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

Rooted in local African rhythms, mbalax music has allowed Youssou N'Dour's voice to soar with a whole new freedom. Matt Cardy/Getty Images hide caption

Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes died nearly 400 years ago, but Grossman says she feels a closeness to him when she translates his work. "I'd love to have a couple of drinks with him, to sit and chat and talk about literature," Grossman says. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

Visitors to Bangkok’s Wat Phai Ngern Buddhist temple touch stone statues of infants during a Nov. 27 ceremony for 2,002 fetuses found in the temple's mortuary. The fetuses were found Nov. 16 and believed to be from illegal abortion clinics. Wang Zemin for NPR hide caption

Teena Marie performs at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May 2010. Chris Graythen/Getty Images hide caption

Buke and Gass performs live from the Rock 'n' Roll Hotel in Washington, D.C. Abby Verbosky/NPR hide caption