History

'Guns At Last Light' Illuminates Final Months Of World War II

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:26:00 +0000

In December 1944, the Nazis looked like a spent force: The U.S. and its allies had pushed Hitler's armies across France in the fight to liberate Europe from German occupation.

The Allies were so confident that the Forest of Ardennes, near the front lines in Belgium, became a rest and recreation area, complete with regular USO performances.

"There would be entertainers coming through, including Marlene Dietrich, who was frequently at the front lines," says Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson.

In France, A Renewed Push To Return Art Looted By Nazis

Eleanor Beardsley — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:37:00 +0000

During World War II, the Nazis plundered tens of thousands of works of art from the private collections of European Jews, many living in France. About 75 percent of the artwork that came back to France from Germany at the end of the war has been returned to their rightful owners.

But there are still approximately 2,000 art objects that remain unclaimed.

World War II Code Is Broken, Decades After POW Used It

Bill Chappell — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:46:00 +0000

It's been 70 years since the letters of John Pryor were understood in their full meaning.

Bones Tell Tale Of Desperation Among The Starving At Jamestown

Christopher Joyce — Wed, 01 May 2013 22:40:00 +0000

"First they ate their horses, and then fed upon their dogs and cats, as well as rats, mice and snakes."

So says James Horn of the historical group Colonial Williamsburg, paraphrasing an account by colony leader George Percy of what conditions were like for the hundreds of men and women stranded in Jamestown, Va., with little food in the dead of winter in 1609.

They even ate their shoes.

Gathering Of Presidential Lineage Celebrates U.S. History

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 10:48:00 +0000

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

Descendents of famous American political figures, both Democrats and Republicans, white and black, coming together in a small Ozarks town this weekend.