New York cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe became one of the leading furniture makers in 19th century by organizing the first large scale furniture business. Matthew A. Thurlow, a research associate at The Metropolitan Museum, discusses New York’s manufacturing heritage and history.
Frontline/World reports on two disturbing stories in Afghanistan: the growing number of women (and children) who are opium addicts, and the trend of self-immolation–both products of an oppressive situation for women, especially young women. Also see slideshow.
On this day in 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens, popularly known as Mark Twain, was born in Florida, Missouri. Throughout his career, Mark Twain published more than 30 books and hundreds of short stories and essays.
On November 26, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill officially establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. While it wasn’t until FDR’s declaration that the modern holiday was celebrated nationally, in 1789, President George Washington became the first president to proclaim a “Thanksgiving holiday”, and the tradition of celebrating the holiday on Thursday dates back even further, to the early history of the first U.S. colonies.
Experts also appraise two milestone game baseballs autographed by Milwaukee Braves legend Warren Spahn — one from Spahn’s 327th winning game, in Hour 3 of Antiques Roadshow, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Watch all appraisals from this episode. (Originally aired: 07/29/2006).
When Cooke first arrived in the U.S. in 1932, he began filming his travels. The footage offers a record of the unseen life behind Cooke’s polished words. This special chronicles Cooke’s decades in America, Hollywood friendships, journalism career and years as Masterpiece’s host. Watch it online for a limited time.
It revolutionized media forever…Edison first announced he’d found a way to capture and play back sound on Nov. 21, 1877. His first piece was, of course, the famous recitation of ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’. Download mp3s of the earliest recordings and more on PBS sites…
NOVA takes viewers on a fascinating scientific journey that began 3,000 years ago. The 2-hour film presents the latest archeological scholarship from the Holy Land to explore the beginnings of modern religion and the origins of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. Watch now.
When is it right to kill? In the midst of war, is it right to refuse? Eight U.S. soldiers, some whom have killed and some who have said no, reveal their inner moral dilemmas. You can watch the film online on P.O.V. until November 30th. The film runs 90 minutes.
On Nov. 19, 1863, at a ceremony opening a national cemetery, President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. While Lincoln’s address lasted just two or three minutes, it is perhaps one of the most memorable speeches in American history. Read more…
