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Wednesday

WWII Pacifists Exposed Mental Ward Horrors

Charles Lord photographed the horrific conditions in the Philadelphia State Hospital, a mental institution better known as Byberry. Charles Lord hide caption

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Charles Lord

Health

WWII Pacifists Exposed Mental Ward Horrors

During World War II, several thousand conscientious objectors who refused to go to war were instead assigned to work in state mental hospitals. Many of the institutions were filthy, run-down and staffed with abusive workers. Charlie Lord worked at one in Philadelphia and secretly photographed the horrific conditions.

WWII Pacifists Exposed Mental Ward Horrors

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Tuesday

Politics

'Franklin Delano Roosevelt' Distilled

In historian Alan Brinkley's biography, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, he calls the former president the most important individual of the 20th century. Roosevelt presented national concerns to the public with his Fireside Chats.

'Franklin Delano Roosevelt' Distilled

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Sunday

Colonial Dinner Parties Meant Cocktails, Conversation

Guests at the governor's dinner table in 18th century Virginia had one thing in common with even the poorest households — a love of drink.

Colonial Dinner Parties Meant Cocktails, Conversation

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Thursday

National

For 125 Years, Trading Post Has Served Community

A traditional trading post in the Navajo Nation in Arizona continues to sell and exchange hand-woven rugs, Native American art and groceries. It is one of the longest continuously operating trading post in the Southwest.

For 125 Years, Trading Post Has Served Community

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Monday

Science

Historian Asks, 'What On Earth Evolved?'

The history of Earth features a few extremely successful species, such as ants, black pepper, sheep, and of course, humans. In his book, What On Earth Evolved, Christopher Lloyd explores their stories before and after man.

Historian Asks, 'What On Earth Evolved?'

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Sunday

Books

Was Ancient Historian One Of The First Spin Doctors?

Thucydides' account of the war between Athens and Sparta has become an allegory of modern conflicts like the Cold War, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. But a new book about the ancient historian shows he may not quite have been telling the truth.

Was Ancient Historian One Of The First Spin Doctors?

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Author Interviews

'Dracula Is Dead,' But How Is Romania?

Twenty years after the fall of the Iron Curtain, a new book titled Dracula Is Dead takes a look at how Romania has fared since the December 1989 overthrow of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Host Liane Hansen speaks with co-authors Jim Rosapepe, former U.S. ambassador to Romania, and journalist Sheilah Kast.

'Dracula Is Dead,' But How Is Romania?

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Saturday

The Net At 40

Domain Name Creator Made Sites Easier To Recall

When you type a Web address into that little window — our personal favorite, npr.org, for example — you should give thanks to the man who made it so easy: Dr. Paul Mockapetris.

Domain Name Creator Made Sites Easier To Recall

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Friday

Europe

The Orient Express Takes Its Final Trip

Van Helsing rode it to his battle with Dracula. James Bond romanced a beautiful Russian aboard it. And Agatha Christie set one of the best-known murders in literary history aboard that train. Now the original Orient Express is itself about to become part of history.

The Orient Express Takes Its Final Trip

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Thursday

A 19th-Century Mathematician Finally Proves Himself

Technology

A 19th-Century Mathematician Finally Proves Himself

In the mid-1800s, Charles Babbage got fed up with doing complex calculations by hand, so he designed what he called a "Difference Engine." He never built the machine in his lifetime, but 150 years later, engineers built the engine to Babbage's specifications — and the 5-ton calculator actually works.

A 19th-Century Mathematician Finally Proves Himself

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Friday

National

Most Wanted Posters Not Wanted By Post Office

The next time you walk into a post office, take a look around. One of the things you probably won't see are the faces of the FBI's Most Wanted Fugitives. Over the past decade, America's most notorious mug shots have been fading away from post office walls.

Most Wanted Posters Not Wanted By Post Office

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Tuesday

Strange News

Our Fascination With The End Of The World

As far back as 2800 B.C., the Assyrians warned that the end of the world was near. Mayans predicted the apocalypse for 2012. Jerry Walls of the Center for Philosophy of Religion at the University of Notre Dame talks about our ongoing fascination with the end of days.

Our Fascination With The End Of The World

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Sunday

Opinion

Big-Screen Memories Of A New York Adventure

It was 1939, the year of the New York World's Fair, Germany's invasion of Poland, and the publication of Steinbeck's classic The Grapes of Wrath. It's also the year two 18-year-old girls from Denver took a train to the East Coast for an adventure that inspired a Hollywood musical.

Big-Screen Memories Of A New York Adventure

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