The Obituary Project: Lives Of The Unnoticed End-of-the-year obituaries generally are of people who had an impact on our times: actors, politicians, inventors. This year, NPR takes note of lives that were important in different ways -- to their local communities, or even just to their families -- to see what they can tell us about ourselves.

Special Series

The Obituary Project: Lives Of The Unnoticed

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An Ode To The Voice Of The Navajo Nation Station

January 1, 2010 • Ernie Manuelito died in April at age 57. His voice was the first ever to be heard on the Navajo nation radio station. Manuelito said that putting the Navajo language on the air was an important public service.

An Ode To The Voice Of The Navajo Nation Station

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Staffers Mourn Zoo Animals Who Died In 2009

December 31, 2009 • People think of zoos as places where animals live. But as living collections, they are also places where animals die. Those who cared for the animals who died this year at Smithsonian's National Zoo tell their stories of loss.

Staffers Mourn Zoo Animals Who Died In 2009

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Capturing The Brief Life And Death Of An Infant

December 30, 2009 • Joanna Blum and Ashley Hutcheson talk about their extraordinary meeting to record the life and passing of Baruch Levi Blum. On Dec. 1, Blum gave birth to Baruch Levi. He weighed 2 pounds, 11 ounces. He lived about 10 minutes. Hutcheson, a photographer, was there to document his birth.

Capturing The Brief Life And Death Of An Infant

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Opinion

Fodors' Contributor's Death Left A Virtual Absence

December 29, 2009 • "Robespierre" was an opinionated and regular contributor to the travel site Fodors.com — until his postings stopped abruptly in July. The contributor had died of cancer. Essayist Henry Alford offers meditation on what it means to lose someone you know only virtually.

Fodors' Contributor's Death Left A Virtual Absence

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Nowell Briscoe: Archivist Of Death Revisits The Past

December 28, 2009 • Nowell Briscoe has been collecting obituaries for more than 50 years. He started when he was 7 years old and living in Monroe, Ga., and he continues to add to his collection daily. Briscoe says it allows him to visit the past — and keep those who have died alive in the present.

Nowell Briscoe: Archivist Of Death Revisits The Past

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