C-SPAN
C-SPAN2
C-SPAN3
David Plouffe, 2008 Obama presidential campaign manager, and Steve Schmidt, senior adviser to the 2008 McCain campaign, offered their thoughts about the influence of social media, SuperPAC’s and technology during campaigns, and what the Republican Party must do to win over certain demographic groups. They also gave their insight on who would be running for president in 2016. They responded to questions from members of the audience. Both political strategists are alumni of the University of Delaware which hosted this forum. It was part of the Center for Political Communication’s 2012 National Agenda speaker series.
Telephone lines were open for viewer comments on the question, “Are you optimistic about America’s future?”
Shibley Telhami discussed the latest developments in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, including multiple cease-fire announcements. He responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.
Bobbi Jackson read news headlines from C-SPAN Radio at the end of the program.
Veronique de Rugy and Elizabeth Lower-Basch discussed poverty in the United States. Among the issues they addressed were government assistance programs, the prevalence of poverty in concentrated areas of the country, and the effectiveness of various public and private efforts to alleviate hunger and poverty. They responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.
Bobbi Jackson read news headlines from C-SPAN Radio at the end of the program.
Jacqueline Pata explained what the “fiscal cliff” and sequestration could mean to Native American communities, and she responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. She also discussed priorities for the lame-duck session of Congress including the Violence Against Women Act, the Stafford Act and the Farm Bill. She also addressed controversies over mascots, the 2012 election, and the upcoming White House Tribal Nations Conference.
“Fiscal cliff” referred to the impending tax increases and budget cuts at the end of 2012 if Congress failed to reach a budget agreement.
Weekly Presidential Address
Airing Time:
President Obama delivered the Weekly Presidential Address. He expressed his Thanksgiving wishes and said that Thanksgiving is a chance to put aside our differences and come together as Americans.
Memorial Service for Neil Armstrong
Airing Time:
A memorial service was held for astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, who died August 25, 2012. Astronauts Michael Collins and Eugene Cernan, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, and former Treasury Secretary John Snow spoke at the ceremony. The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of Washington, gave the eulogy. Diana Krall performed Frank Sinatra’s arrangement of the jazz standard “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Life as Teenagers in the White House
Airing Time:
Presidential daughters Susan Ford Bales and Lynda Johnson Robb discussed spending part of their teenage years in the White House. Both of their father’s took office at times of great national trauma, following the assassination of President Kennedy and the resignation of President Nixon. They talked about the circumstances in which their fathers took office but told lighthearted stories as well. This was a Chautauqua Institution morning lecture with the Week Nine theme, “The Presidents Club.”
The Evolution of Facebook
Airing Time:
Facebook Vice President of Products Chris Cox discussed the evolution of Facebook. Mr. Cox is an engineer who advises chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg on product development such as the “like” button, the timeline, and the newsfeed. Mr. Cox explained his job duties at Facebook, and talked about new technologies the company would be using. He was interviewed by Alexis Madrigal and responded to questions from members of the audience.*
“The Evolution of Facebook” was a session at the second annual “The Atlantic Meets the Pacific” Conference held at Scripps Seaside Forum by the University of California, San Diego, and The Atlantic.
National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon
Airing Time:
At an annual White House event, President Obama pardoned the national Thanksgiving turkey. He was joined by his daughters Sasha and Malia. The chosen turkey was selected through an online poll conducted by the White House.
Gaming and Solving World Problems
Airing Time:
Jane McGonigal talked about the effects of gaming on health, education, and social issues, as well as the future of cloud computing. She talked about the use of the alternate realities in games to solve the world’s problems and the future of alternate realities overlaying the physical universe. She was interviewed by Larry Smarr and responded to questions from members of the audience.*
“Gaming and Solving World Problems” was a session at the second annual “The Atlantic Meets the Pacific” Conference held at Scripps Seaside Forum by the University of California, San Diego, and The Atlantic.
Remarks from Chief Justice John Roberts
Airing Time:
Chief Justice John Roberts addressed students at Rice University, touching on issues ranging from challenges to the Constitution to his favorite movie. Chief Justice Roberts said reporters are too quick to label Supreme Court Justices as liberal or conservative. The Chief Justice said that he was surprised when he joined the Court on how well the justices get along and remarked that there is no “intellectual bullying” or a voice “raised in anger” during conferences.
Conversation with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Airing Time:
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke about the Supreme Court and the law. In her remarks she said she thought the court would address the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and issues surrounding same-sex marriage in the coming term. She also talked about her efforts as a female law student, gender discrimination cases that have come before the court, the nomination process, and what she sees as the biggest threats to the U.S. legal system. She also spoke about her personal life with comments about her late husband, his cooking skills and her lack of them.
U.S. Strategic Competitiveness
Airing Time:
Business community scholars and economists talked about the need for more U.S. entrepreneurial leadership in the world. They focused on the economy, immigration reform, and innovation. They were interviewed by Steve Clemons.
This was part of the fourth annual Washington Ideas Forum.*held by The Atlantic, the Aspen Institute, and the Newseum in the Annenberg Theater.
Medal of Honor Ceremony
Airing Time:
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor for putting himself in the line of fire to save two comrades. He is the first living veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to receive the United States' highest military decoration, and the first since the Vietnam War. President Obama in his remarks spoke about the ongoing mission in Afghanistan, saying the medal is a testament not only to Sergeant Giunta’s bravery but also “all the men and women who served by his side.”
Medal of Honor Recipients
Airing Time:
Medal of Honor recipients Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta and General James Livingston talked about their reasons for joining the military and some of their experiences abroad.
Jerry Dumont also asked them questions about women serving in the military, how their military training helped them in their behavior in conflict, and the democratic process.
Sergeant Giunta received the Medal of Honor for the war in Afghanistan, General Livingston for the Vietnam War.
This event was from the American Veterans Center’s 15th annual conference.
Life as Teenagers in the White House
Airing Time:
Presidential daughters Susan Ford Bales and Lynda Johnson Robb discussed spending part of their teenage years in the White House. Both of their father’s took office at times of great national trauma, following the assassination of President Kennedy and the resignation of President Nixon. They talked about the circumstances in which their fathers took office but told lighthearted stories as well. This was a Chautauqua Institution morning lecture with the Week Nine theme, “The Presidents Club.”
National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon
Airing Time:
At an annual White House event, President Obama pardoned the national Thanksgiving turkey. He was joined by his daughters Sasha and Malia. The chosen turkey was selected through an online poll conducted by the White House.
Frontline to the Home Front
Airing Time:
Panelists talked about the treatment of returning war veterans. The panel included Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former General Stanley McChrystal, Major General Marcia Anderson, Taryn Davis, founder of the American Widow Project , Paul Rieckhoff, head of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans of America, and Lieutenant Melissa Stockwell, the first female soldier to lose a limb in the Iraq War. They responded to questions from the audience.
This panel was part of the Chicago Ideas Week conference held annually in Chicago, Illinois in October and was presented by Chase and J.P. Morgan
Hollywood and Culture
Airing Time:
Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined leaders in the film and music industries to talk about Hollywood’s impact on American culture and how the industries are adapting to technological innovations. Other speakers included Universal Studios President Ron Meyer, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chair Rob Friedman and Imagine Entertainment co-founder Brian Grazer.
Book Discussion on Why Women Still Can't Have It All
Airing Time:
Former State Department official Anne-Marie Slaughter talks about her cover story in The Atlantic entitled "Why Women Still Can’t Have It All". It was the most read story in the magazine’s history and focused on the challenges of balancing her work with her personal life as mother and wife. Slaughter left the State Department in 2011 and teaches at Princeton University. She’s interviewed by former ABC News reporter and Obama administration health reform spokesperson Linda Douglass.
Memorial Service for Neil Armstrong
Airing Time:
A memorial service was held for astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, who died August 25, 2012. Astronauts Michael Collins and Eugene Cernan, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, and former Treasury Secretary John Snow spoke at the ceremony. The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of Washington, gave the eulogy. Diana Krall performed Frank Sinatra’s arrangement of the jazz standard “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Frontline to the Home Front
Airing Time:
Panelists talked about the treatment of returning war veterans. The panel included Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former General Stanley McChrystal, Major General Marcia Anderson, Taryn Davis, founder of the American Widow Project , Paul Rieckhoff, head of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans of America, and Lieutenant Melissa Stockwell, the first female soldier to lose a limb in the Iraq War. They responded to questions from the audience.
This panel was part of the Chicago Ideas Week conference held annually in Chicago, Illinois in October and was presented by Chase and J.P. Morgan
Hollywood and Culture
Airing Time:
Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined leaders in the film and music industries to talk about Hollywood’s impact on American culture and how the industries are adapting to technological innovations. Other speakers included Universal Studios President Ron Meyer, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chair Rob Friedman and Imagine Entertainment co-founder Brian Grazer.
Book Discussion on Why Women Still Can't Have It All
Airing Time:
Former State Department official Anne-Marie Slaughter talks about her cover story in The Atlantic entitled "Why Women Still Can’t Have It All". It was the most read story in the magazine’s history and focused on the challenges of balancing her work with her personal life as mother and wife. Slaughter left the State Department in 2011 and teaches at Princeton University. She’s interviewed by former ABC News reporter and Obama administration health reform spokesperson Linda Douglass.
Memorial Service for Neil Armstrong
Airing Time:
A memorial service was held for astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, who died August 25, 2012. Astronauts Michael Collins and Eugene Cernan, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, and former Treasury Secretary John Snow spoke at the ceremony. The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of Washington, gave the eulogy. Diana Krall performed Frank Sinatra’s arrangement of the jazz standard “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Medal of Honor Recipients
Airing Time:
Medal of Honor recipients Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta and General James Livingston talked about their reasons for joining the military and some of their experiences abroad.
Jerry Dumont also asked them questions about women serving in the military, how their military training helped them in their behavior in conflict, and the democratic process.
Sergeant Giunta received the Medal of Honor for the war in Afghanistan, General Livingston for the Vietnam War.
This event was from the American Veterans Center’s 15th annual conference.
Panelists talked about the treatment of returning war veterans. The panel included Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former General Stanley McChrystal, Major General Marcia Anderson, Taryn Davis, founder of the American Widow Project , Paul Rieckhoff, head of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans of America, and Lieutenant Melissa Stockwell, the first female soldier to lose a limb in the Iraq War. They responded to questions from the audience.
This panel was part of the Chicago Ideas Week conference held annually in Chicago, Illinois in October and was presented by Chase and J.P. Morgan
Panelists talked about women’s issues that punctuated the 2012 election, including women’s health and reproductive rights, marriage equality, poverty, and political participation. The panelists responded to questions from members of the audience.
“State of the Nation: Gender, Sexuality and the 2012 Elections” was a program of The Institute for Research on Women and Gender at Columbia University and The Anna Julia Cooper Project on Gender, Race and Politics in the South at Tulane University. It was held in Columbia University’s Schermerhorn Hall and co-sponsored by the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law, the Heyman Center for the Humanities, the Institute for Research in African-American Studies, the Department of Political Science, the Department of History, the Department of Sociology, and the Department of Anthropology.
President and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson
Airing Time:
Historians Michael Gillette, author of Lady Bird Johnson: An Oral History and Mark Updegrove, author of Indomitable Will: LBJ in the Presidency, talked about the lives of Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson. They also responded to questions from the audience.
In Depth with Steven Johnson
Airing Time:
Author Steven Johnson, co-founder and editor-in-chief of FEED, the former science and culture web magazine, talked about his life, career, and body of work and responded to telephone calls and electronic communicatons. He focused on issues such as communications technology, ways in which innovation affects government policy an daily lives, copyright and intellectual property, and the impact of developments in online technology and social media on the economy and lives of Americans.
He is the author of eight books: Interface Culture: How New Technology Transforms the Way We Create and Communicate (1999); Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software (2002); Mind Wide Open: Your Brain and the Neuroscience of Everyday Life (2005); Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Today’s Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter (2005); The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic -- and How it Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World (2006); The Invention of Air: A Story of Science, Faith, Revolution, and the Birth of America (2008); Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation (2010); Future Perfect: The Case of Progress in a Networked Age (2012).
Book Discussion on Pat Nixon
Airing Time:
Mary Brennan, history professor at Texas State University, talked about her book, Pat Nixon: Embattled First Lady, in which she recounts the life of former First Lady Pat Nixon (1912-1993).The author utilized Mrs. Nixon’s recently-released papers to examine the personal and professional life of the private first lady. She spoke at the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California.
After Words with David Coleman
Airing Time:
David Coleman, author of The Fourteenth Day: JFK and the Aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis: The Secret White House Tapes, discussed using White House tapes and extensive research to paint a picture of the JFK White House after the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Book Discussion on The Warrior's Heart
Airing Time:
Eric Greitens talked about his book, The Warrior’s Heart, an adaptation of his memoir about becoming a Navy SEAL written for young adults. He talked about his experiences in both humanitarian missions and warfare, and spoke about personal character development. He responded to questions from the audience at the Maryville University Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri.
Book Discussion on The Distance Between Us
Airing Time:
Author Reyna Grande talked about her book, The Distance Between Us: A Memoir, in which she shares her experiences growing up in Mexico without her parents, who immigrated to the United States illegally to find work, and discusses what life was like for her and her siblings when they eventually made it to the U.S. years later. Ms. Grande was interviewed at the “Fall for the Book” festival, held in Fairfax, VA.
Book Discussion on Terrible Swift Sword
Airing Time:
Author Joseph Wheelan discussed his book, Terrible Swift Sword: The Life of General Philip H. Sheridan, in which he recounts the life of Union General Philip Sheridan, whose Cavalry Corps forced the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse. The author recalled General Sheridan’s military tactics and his post-war career, which included command of the U.S. Army. Philip Sheridan spoke at Quail Ridge Books amd Music in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Book Discussion on Into Dust and Fire
Airing Time:
Rachel Cox recounted the decision by five men, including her Uncle Rob Cox, to leave their Ivy League schools and join the British Army in the spring of 1941, six months prior to Pearl Harbor and America’s involvement in World War II. The author reported on the experiences of the five Americans who were assigned to the 7th Armored Division of the British Eighth Army on the North African front. Rachel Cox spoke at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont.
Book Discussion on Brigham Young
Airing Time:
John Turner, assistant professor of religious studies at George Mason University, talked about his book, Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet, in which he recounts the life of Mormon leader Brigham Young (1801-1877). He talked about the role that Brigham Young assumed following the death of Mormonism’s founder, Joseph Smith, as Young led congregants of the church across the Rocky Mountains and established settlements in Utah. John Turner speaks on a panel that included Jeff Johnson, and Craig Foster at the Salt Lake City Public Library.
Book Discussion on Master of the Mountain
Airing Time:
Author Henry Wiencek discussed his book, Master of the Mountain: Thomas Jefferson and His Slaves, in which he reports that Jefferson sought financial gain through the ownership and labor of his slaves, what America’s third president called “silent profits.”
After Words with Salman Khan
Airing Time:
Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy, spoke about the benefits of online, universal education and his evolution from hedge fund analyst to public educator. He examined the state of public education, learning methods, and the integration of technology into public education. He talked with the president of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Nina Rees.
Salman Khan is a former hedge fund analyst, venture capitalist and Silicon Valley engineer. He holds several degrees from MIT and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is the founder of the Khan Academy.
Book Discussion on The U.S. Supreme Court: A Very Short Introduction
Airing Time:
Linda Greenhouse talked about her book The U.S. Supreme Court: A Very Short Introduction. She responded to questions from members of the audience.
This was an event in the Contemporary Life Pavilion of the 12th annual National Book Festival, held on the National Mall.
Book Discussion on The Coming Prosperity
Airing Time:
Author Philip Auerswald discussed his book, The Coming Prosperity: How Entrepreneurs Are Transforming the Global Economy. Mr. Auerswald was interviewed at the “Fall for the Book” festival, held at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
Book Discussion on The Man Who Saved the Union
Airing Time:
Author H.W. Brands talked about his book, The Man Who Saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in War and Peace, in which he argued that Grant was an idealistic and compassionate president whose memory was tarnished during the Civil War’s aftermath. He responded to questions from the audience.
Book Discussion on The Finish
Airing Time:
Author Mark Bowden talked about his book, The Finish: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden, at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He talked about the hunt for Osama bin Laden, the conduct of the War on Terror, and the role of special forces units. Following his remarks, Mr. Bowden responded to questions from the audience.
Book Discussion on 1812
Airing Time:
Author Nicole Eustace, history professor at New York University, discusses her book, 1812: War and the Passions of Patriotism, in which she examines the affect the War of 1812 had on American politics and patriotism. She reported that the end of the three-year War resulted in the “era of good feelings,” marked by diffused partisanship and greater nationalism. Nicole Eustace spoke at the David Library of the American Revolution in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania.
Book Discussion on Elizabeth the Queen
Airing Time:
Sally Bedell Smith talked about her biography, Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch. In her book she recounts the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended the British throne in 1952 at the age of twenty-five. The author examines the queen’s public and personal life, from her weekly meetings with the twelve British prime ministers who have served during her reign, to her sixty-four year marriage to Prince Phillip and her relationships with her children and grandchildren. She responded to questions from members of the audience.
This was an event in the History and Biography Pavilion of the 12th annual National Book Festival, held on the National Mall.
The program closed with scheduling information.
In Depth with Kenneth Davis
Airing Time:
Author Kenneth Davis talked about his body of work and his newest book, Don’t Know Much About the American Presidents. He answered questions from viewers via telephone and electronic communications. Mr. Davis was also the author of eight other books in the Don’t Know Much About... series as well as the book, America’s Hidden History.
Book Discussion on The Richest Woman in America
Airing Time:
Biographer Janet Wallach recalled the life of Hetty Green (1834-1916), whose investment of her family inheritance resulted in a net worth of close to $100 million ($2.5 billion adjusted for inflation) by the end of her life. Janet Wallach speaks at Corner Bookshop in New York City and answered questions from the audience.
Author William Cooper, former president of the Southern Historical Association, talked about his book, We Have the War Upon Us: The Onset of the Civil War, November 1860-April 1861, in which he presents a history of the lead up to the U.S. Civil War. He examined the divided populace in the North and South and the various attempts at compromise that failed. He spoke at the Atlanta History Center and responded to questions from the audience.
Ben Bernanke talked about the state of the U.S. economy. He urged Congress and President Obama to reach an agreement to avert the “fiscal cliff,” referring to impending tax increases and budget cuts at the end of 2012 if Congress failed to reach a new budget agreement. He said that allowing the fiscal cliff to happen could lead to a recession. Following his speech, Chair Bernanke answered questions from the audience. Professors Blinder and Feldstein asked Mr. Bernanke questions following his address.
Fiscal Cliff, Tax Reform
Airing Time:
Former Obama and Reagan administration advisers gave their assessment of the “fiscal cliff,” the impending tax increases and budget cuts at the end of 2012 if Congress fails to reach a new budget agreement. Peter Orszag was President Obama’s budget director and Martin Feldstein was the top economic adviser to President Ronald Reagan. Peter Cook moderated.
The panel “Finding Common Ground on Tax Reform: Policy Options and Political Realities” was part of the Peterson Foundation forum titled “Post Election: The Fiscal Cliff and Beyond,” held in the Knight Conference Center at the Newseum.
Julius Genachowski on Telecommunications Policy
Airing Time:
Julius Genachowski discussed international telecommunications policy. Topics included free speech, economic development, and the availability of broadband technology around the world. He warned that threats to the future of the Internet, including a proposed international governing body with the power to regulate the Internet, could result in a loss of economic growth and innovation in the U.S. After his opening remarks he was interviewed by Mr. Prieto and responded to questions from members of the audience.
Drone Warfare
Airing Time:
Former Central Intelligence Agency officer Henry Crumpton talked about drone warfare, concerns over cybersecurity, and the Afghanistan war. He said that drone technology could not replace human sources on the ground and expressed concern over the over reliance of this type of technology. He was interviewed by Shelby Coffey.
This was part of the fourth annual Washington Ideas Forum. held by The Atlantic, the Aspen Institute, and the Newseum in the Annenberg Theater.
Steven Spielberg on 149th Anniversary of Gettysburg Address
Airing Time:
Film director Steven Spielberg gave the keynote address at an annual ceremony commemorating President Lincoln"s Gettysburg Address delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863. Mr. Spielberg’s recently-released film, Lincoln, focused on the president’s last months in office and the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery.
Memories from the Lee Harvey Oswald Shooting
Airing Time:
The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas hosted five eyewitnesses to the Lee Harvey Oswald shooting, including news reporters and the police detective who was handcuffed to the prisoner. Oswald was the suspect in the assassination of President Kennedy two days earlier, and was being transported to the Dallas courthouse when Jack Ruby shot him in the basement of the police department. Oswald died hours later. Participants also talked about media coverage of the killing and the impact of the event on subsequent news practices. They responded to questions from the audience.
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Airing Time:
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, is located in what was once the Texas School Book Depository. From the sixth floor, southeast corner window of this building, Lee Harvey Oswald shot President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Curator Gary Mack talked about the museum, and how the information about the assassination and ensuing investigations is presented.
In May of 2011, historian Richard Norton Smith was accompanied by a C-SPAN videojournalist as he led a 10-day bus tour of presidential and historic sites from Asheville, North Carolina to Austin, Texas. This was one of the stops on the tour.
A Tale of Three Constitutions
Airing Time:
New York University Law School Professor Burt Neuborne spoke about the “original intentions” and the evolving interpretations of the U.S. Constitution by the Supreme Court. Some argue that the Supreme Court should confine its role to discovering and announcing the “original intentions” of the founders. Others argue that the Constitution’s often ambiguous text should be read as part of a “living constitution,” whose meaning evolves over time as society changes. He answered questions from the audience.
George Washington's Copy of the Constitution, Preview
Airing Time:
President George Washington’s personal copy of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights was auctioned at Christie’s in New York City for $9.8 Million, the most ever paid for an American printed book or manuscript. The 1789 book contains brackets and notes in the margins written by Washington himself to mark the powers of the executive branch. American History TV recorded the auction, and interviewed Francis Wahlgren, Christie’s International Head of Books and Manuscripts, and Chris Coover, Americana specialist, about the significance of the book.
The Two Wives of Woodrow Wilson
Airing Time:
Kristie Miller, author of Ellen and Edith: Woodrow Wilson’s First Ladies, talked about Ellen Axson, the first wife of Woodrow Wilson who died in 1914, and Edith Bolling Galt, who married the widowed president in December 1915. Ms. Miller argues it was Edith who carefully guarded access to the president and who ignited a debate that continues to this day over how much power she exerted. She responded to questions from the audience.
Museum of the Confederacy
Airing Time:
Sam Craghead led a tour of the Museum of the Confederacy, located next door to the White House of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia and had been in operation since 1896. Holding over 130,000 artifacts related to the Confederacy, the museum displays personal items of well-known generals such as Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
Military Veterans on Diversity
Airing Time:
A panel of veterans shares personal accounts of their military service. Norman Mineta, a Japanese American, was a child when he was sent to an internment camp during World War II and later served as an intelligence officer in the Korean War. Reuben McNair was trained during World War II in one of the first Marine companies to allow African Americans. And Irene Trowell-Harris was the first African American woman to be promoted to general officer in the National Guard. These panelists join Pulitzer prize-winning author Rick Atkinson for a discussion at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC.
Book Discussion on Let There Be Light
Airing Time:
Hollywood director John Huston recorded a documentary film for the U.S. Army depicting psychological combat trauma and efforts to treat returning World War II veterans. The film was not seen by the public until 1980, and has been restored by the National Archives. Prior to the film, David Culbert, history professor at Louisiana State University, discussed the film’s history.
Slavery, Emancipation and Reconciliation
Airing Time:
Purdue University history professor Caroline Janney examined how slavery and emancipation played into the process of post-war reconciliation. She also discussed the experiences and memories of Northern and Southern veterans in the war’s aftermath. Janney spoke at the 2012 Civil War Institute Conference at Gettysburg College. She also responded to questions from the audience.
Educational Film in the United States
Airing Time:
Marsha Orgeron, co-editor of the first collection of essays to address educational film in the United States, talked about her book, Learning with the Lights Off: Educational Film in the United States. Educational films were seen by millions of people and provided a catalog of 20th-century preoccupations and values in America. During her presentation she showed to examples of educational films.
Slavery and the Underground Railroad, Preview
Airing Time:
Button Farm Living History Center is a work-in-progress dedicated to depicting 19th century slave plantation life. Through their programs and activities they strive to give visitors the experience of working as a slave, and also experiencing the perils of escaping to freedom on the Underground Railroad. American History TV traveled thirty miles northwest of the nation’s Capitol to visit the farm and learn about the non-profit Menare Foundation.
Our tourguide is historian Anthony Cohen, founder of the Menare Foundation.
The Zimmermann Telegram
Airing Time:
Thomas Boghardt, author of The Zimmermann Telegram: Intelligence, Diplomacy, and America’s Entry into World War One, explained why Germany sent the telegram to Mexico; how it was intercepted by the British; and how its discovery influenced American public opinion. The coded telegram, dispatched by Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann to the German ambassador in Mexico in anticipation of further unrestricted submarine warfare, instructed Ambassador Eckardt that if the U.S. appeared likely to enter the war, he was to approach the Mexican government with a proposal for a military alliance. Mexico was promised territories in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Eckardt was also instructed to urge Mexico to help broker an alliance between Germany and the Japanese Empire. News of the correspondence was made public after British intelligence intercepted the communication.
The National Archives in Washington DC hosted this event.
Vermont's State Archives' Eugenics Movement Collection
Airing Time:
Vermont state archivist Tanya Marshall talked about the history of the eugenics movement in Vermont and a study conducted by a University of Vermont professor interested in eliminating “defective” traits in Vermonters.
C-SPAN’s Local Content Vehicles (LCVs) made a stop in their “2012 LCV Cities Tour” in Montpelier, Vermont, on October 8-11 to feature the history and literary life of the community. Working with the Comcast Cable local affiliate, they visited literary and historic sites where local historians, authors, and civic leaders were interviewed. The history segments air on American History TV (AHTV) on C-SPAN3 and the literary events/non-fiction author segments air on BookTV on C-SPAN2.
Massachusetts Maritime History
Airing Time:
Historian Richard Norton Smith toured three locations along Boston’s North Shore: Fort Sewall in Marblehead, Massachusetts; the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Custom House; and the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial.
These stops on the Presidents and Patriots Historical Tours' nine-day “New England by the Sea: Whales, Witches & Writers” tour were on October 7 and 8, 2011.
Post-World War II Growth of Suburbs
Airing Time:
History Professor Andrew Morris discusses the unprecedented demand for affordable housing from the mid-1940s and into the 1950s that was created by returning World War II veterans. Professor Morris explains that the building of new homes had slowed during the Great Depression and during World War II, when materials were rationed. As thousands of veterans came home and started families-and the country experienced an economic upswing-the demand for new housing skyrocketed, resulting in the dramatic growth of U.S. suburbs. Video clips of promotional films and newsreels of the period were shown, as well as other slides.
Lee Harvey Oswald
Airing Time:
A 1964 CBS special on Lee Harvey Oswald entitled, “November 22nd and the Warren Report.”
Steven Spielberg on 149th Anniversary of Gettysburg Address
Airing Time:
Film director Steven Spielberg gave the keynote address at an annual ceremony commemorating President Lincoln"s Gettysburg Address delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863. Mr. Spielberg’s recently-released film, Lincoln, focused on the president’s last months in office and the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery.
Memories from the Lee Harvey Oswald Shooting
Airing Time:
The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas hosted five eyewitnesses to the Lee Harvey Oswald shooting, including news reporters and the police detective who was handcuffed to the prisoner. Oswald was the suspect in the assassination of President Kennedy two days earlier, and was being transported to the Dallas courthouse when Jack Ruby shot him in the basement of the police department. Oswald died hours later. Participants also talked about media coverage of the killing and the impact of the event on subsequent news practices. They responded to questions from the audience.
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Airing Time:
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, is located in what was once the Texas School Book Depository. From the sixth floor, southeast corner window of this building, Lee Harvey Oswald shot President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Curator Gary Mack talked about the museum, and how the information about the assassination and ensuing investigations is presented.
In May of 2011, historian Richard Norton Smith was accompanied by a C-SPAN videojournalist as he led a 10-day bus tour of presidential and historic sites from Asheville, North Carolina to Austin, Texas. This was one of the stops on the tour.
A Tale of Three Constitutions
Airing Time:
New York University Law School Professor Burt Neuborne spoke about the “original intentions” and the evolving interpretations of the U.S. Constitution by the Supreme Court. Some argue that the Supreme Court should confine its role to discovering and announcing the “original intentions” of the founders. Others argue that the Constitution’s often ambiguous text should be read as part of a “living constitution,” whose meaning evolves over time as society changes. He answered questions from the audience.
George Washington's Copy of the Constitution, Preview
Airing Time:
President George Washington’s personal copy of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights was auctioned at Christie’s in New York City for $9.8 Million, the most ever paid for an American printed book or manuscript. The 1789 book contains brackets and notes in the margins written by Washington himself to mark the powers of the executive branch. American History TV recorded the auction, and interviewed Francis Wahlgren, Christie’s International Head of Books and Manuscripts, and Chris Coover, Americana specialist, about the significance of the book.
The Two Wives of Woodrow Wilson
Airing Time:
Kristie Miller, author of Ellen and Edith: Woodrow Wilson’s First Ladies, talked about Ellen Axson, the first wife of Woodrow Wilson who died in 1914, and Edith Bolling Galt, who married the widowed president in December 1915. Ms. Miller argues it was Edith who carefully guarded access to the president and who ignited a debate that continues to this day over how much power she exerted. She responded to questions from the audience.
Museum of the Confederacy
Airing Time:
Sam Craghead led a tour of the Museum of the Confederacy, located next door to the White House of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia and had been in operation since 1896. Holding over 130,000 artifacts related to the Confederacy, the museum displays personal items of well-known generals such as Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
Military Veterans on Diversity
Airing Time:
A panel of veterans shares personal accounts of their military service. Norman Mineta, a Japanese American, was a child when he was sent to an internment camp during World War II and later served as an intelligence officer in the Korean War. Reuben McNair was trained during World War II in one of the first Marine companies to allow African Americans. And Irene Trowell-Harris was the first African American woman to be promoted to general officer in the National Guard. These panelists join Pulitzer prize-winning author Rick Atkinson for a discussion at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC.
Book Discussion on Let There Be Light
Airing Time:
Hollywood director John Huston recorded a documentary film for the U.S. Army depicting psychological combat trauma and efforts to treat returning World War II veterans. The film was not seen by the public until 1980, and has been restored by the National Archives. Prior to the film, David Culbert, history professor at Louisiana State University, discussed the film’s history.
Slavery, Emancipation and Reconciliation
Airing Time:
Purdue University history professor Caroline Janney examined how slavery and emancipation played into the process of post-war reconciliation. She also discussed the experiences and memories of Northern and Southern veterans in the war’s aftermath. Janney spoke at the 2012 Civil War Institute Conference at Gettysburg College. She also responded to questions from the audience.
Educational Film in the United States
Airing Time:
Marsha Orgeron, co-editor of the first collection of essays to address educational film in the United States, talked about her book, Learning with the Lights Off: Educational Film in the United States. Educational films were seen by millions of people and provided a catalog of 20th-century preoccupations and values in America. During her presentation she showed to examples of educational films.
Slavery and the Underground Railroad, Preview
Airing Time:
Button Farm Living History Center is a work-in-progress dedicated to depicting 19th century slave plantation life. Through their programs and activities they strive to give visitors the experience of working as a slave, and also experiencing the perils of escaping to freedom on the Underground Railroad. American History TV traveled thirty miles northwest of the nation’s Capitol to visit the farm and learn about the non-profit Menare Foundation.
Our tourguide is historian Anthony Cohen, founder of the Menare Foundation.
Thomas Boghardt, author of The Zimmermann Telegram: Intelligence, Diplomacy, and America’s Entry into World War One, explained why Germany sent the telegram to Mexico; how it was intercepted by the British; and how its discovery influenced American public opinion. The coded telegram, dispatched by Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann to the German ambassador in Mexico in anticipation of further unrestricted submarine warfare, instructed Ambassador Eckardt that if the U.S. appeared likely to enter the war, he was to approach the Mexican government with a proposal for a military alliance. Mexico was promised territories in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Eckardt was also instructed to urge Mexico to help broker an alliance between Germany and the Japanese Empire. News of the correspondence was made public after British intelligence intercepted the communication.
The National Archives in Washington DC hosted this event.