Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged '1986'

Saving Superman's House: Comic Book Fans Unite

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:56:00 EDT

In 1986, the city of Cleveland declared the house where Jerry Siegel thought up the Superman character to be a landmark. But today, the house is falling apart — and a group of high-profile fans is trying to save it, by auctioning art and other work.

Sarah Vaughan: The Divine One

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:42:00 EDT

Sarah Vaughan possessed one of the legendary voices in jazz. With a multi-octave range and a luscious, supple sound, she was celebrated by critics, fans, and fellow musicians alike. In this program from 1986, Vaughan's lively and sassy personality is on display, as are her amazing vocals.

Chris And Don: True Love For Extraordinary Pair

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:31:00 EDT

Artist Don Bachardy was only a teenager when he met then-middle-aged novelist Chris Isherwood on a California beach, but the two successfully maintained a multi-decade romance that lasted until Isherwood's death in 1986. His relationship with Isherwood was the subject of the critically-acclaimed documentary Chris and Don: A Love Story.

Ted Kooser Shares the Poetry of Valentine's Day

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST

Since 1986, Ted Kooser has written an annual Valentine's Day poem and sent it to an ever-growing list of women. It's a project the former U.S. poet laureate ended last year. But now, he's collected those poems in a new book, Valentines.

NASA Fuels Shuttle; Launch Plans Move Ahead

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:47:00 EDT

NASA pumped more than 500,000 gallons of fuel into the space shuttle Endeavour's tank Wednesday, ahead of its 6:36 p.m. ET liftoff. With good weather forecast for the launch, the two-decade wait for teacher-turned-astronaut Barbara Morgan may soon be over. Morgan was Christa McAuliffe's backup when Challenger blew up shortly after liftoff in 1986.

Charlie Rizzo: Walking with My Father

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:39:00 EDT

As Father's Day approaches, Charlie Rizzo shares the story of his life-long journey with his father. Matt Rizzo died in 1986, but he remains a constant presence in Charlie's life.

Former U.N. Chief Kurt Waldheim Dies at 88

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:36:00 EDT

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim dies of heart failure at his home in Austria. Waldheim hid his Nazi Germany military service to lead the world body, but it was revealed when he ran for president of Austria in 1986.

Commission Weighs Commercial Whaling in Japan

Wed, 30 May 2007 06:00:00 EDT

The fate of a 21-year ban on commercial whaling is at stake at the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Anchorage, Alaska. Officials are weighing whether Japan should be allowed to resume commercial whaling. Since 1986, the IWC has banned whale hunting with just two exceptions: nations may take a certain number of whales for "scientific research," and aboriginal people are allowed quotas for subsistence purposes.

'Country of Men' Novelist Hisham Matar

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 12:28:00 EST

Hisham Nitar's semi-autobiographical debut novel In the Country of Men was short-listed for the 2006 Mann Booker Prize. Matar was born in New York City in 1970 to Libyan parents and spent his childhood in Tripoli, Libya, and later in Cairo, Egypt. He has lived in Great Britain since 1986. Matar's father, a critic of the Libyan regime, was arrested in 1990. Matar has been unable to find out what happened to him.

Bruce Hornsby: From Jazz to Folk to Rock

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 17:39:00 EST

Pianist, singer and songwriter Bruce Hornsby has sold more than 10 million records since releasing his multi-platinum debut in 1986. That album generated three Top 20 hits, and it laid the groundwork for a wildly diverse career encompassing jazz, pop, classical, bluegrass, folk, rock and Vaudeville.

Medical Student Was Raised in United States

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 17:15:00 EST

Ravneet "Ruby" Kaur came to the United States in 1986 when she was 6 years old. Civil unrest had engulfed the state of Punjab, India, and her family, religious Sikhs, decided to stay in the United States. Ruby has worked as a nurse and is now in her second year at UCLA medical school.

ACLU Slams 20 Years of Mandatory Drug Sentencing

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST

In 1986, Congress passed a tough new law called "the Anti-Drug Abuse Act." The measure created new minimum sentences that are much harsher for crimes involving crack cocaine than powder cocaine. The American Civil Liberties Union argues that the drug law has devastated African-American and low-income communities. The group recently issued a critical report titled Cracks in the System: Twenty Years of the Unjust Federal Crack Cocaine Law.

Minimalism With Momentum: Wojciech Kilar

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 11:15:00 EDT

Every once in a while, Performance Today plays a piece that just grabs people. That happened this week with "Orawa" by Wojciech Kilar, so hereÂ�s a reprise of that performance. An exciting piece written in 1986, it's minimalism, but with momentum that builds to a thrilling climax.

Twenty Years of Legislating Immigration

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 16:00:00 EDT

Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) is a co-sponsor of the House Immigration bill that would make illegal immigration a felony -- and which sparked controversy and protests. Lungren, who worked on the 1986 immigration bill, is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Robert Siegel talks with Lungren.

1986 Law Offers Clues for Immigration Debate

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 15:49:00 EDT

In 1986, Congress passed a sweeping law meant to end illegal immigration. Although many now consider the Immigration Reform and Control Act a failure, Congress is revisiting many of its provisions in the current immigration debate. Renee Montagne talks with Louis DeSipio, associate professor of Chicano/Latino Studies at the University of California at Irvine.

Anti-Government Violence Threatens Philippines

Fri, 24 Feb 2006 08:40:27 EST

The Philippine government has canceled a commemoration of the 1986 ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, fearing anti-government violence. A state of emergency is also in effect because of a reported coup plot. Steve Inskeep talks to Marites Vitug, editor of the Philippine magazine Newsbreak.

The Challenger Disaster Anniversary

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST

Twenty years ago -- on Jan. 28, 1986 -- the Space Shuttle Challenger blew apart just 73 seconds after launch. All seven astronauts aboard died when a design flaw in the solid-rocket boosters led to the explosion of the external liquid fuel tank. At left, the Challenger lifts off on its fateful flight.

The Challenger Shuttle Tragedy, 20 Years Later

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST

Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger disaster. David Kestenbaum looks back on what went wrong on January 28, 1986, and how the incident has affected NASA in the years since.

Longtime President Tightens Grip on Uganda

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST

After seizing power in 1986, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni was showered with Western aid and praised for his efforts to combat the spread of HIV. But his reputation has faded and the arrest of a top opposition leader is further eroding it.

Dr. John, Always in the Right Place

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Malcolm "Mac" Rebennack's music evolved from psychedelic voodoo-rock in the 1960s to classic piano. He's still known for the 1973 single "Right Place, Wrong Time." (This interview was first broadcast in 1986 and 1988.)

Game: Follywood Squares

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EDT

What is the biggest one-day percentage decline in the stock market? How much would a $100 investment in Microsoft in 1986 be worth today? Guest Ben Stein joins David Gardner for a game of Follywood Squares.

Asch's Folkways Sounds, Live on the Web

Sun, 13 Mar 2005 00:00:00 EST

Moses Asch spent years collecting and compiling the world's sounds. Working through a number of small record labels including Folkways Recordings, Asch explored a world of sound -- not just music, but birds, bugs and machines. Asch died in 1986. But now the Smithsonian has put his entire collection of sounds on the Web.

Actor Paul Reubens, 'Pee-Wee Herman'

Mon, 29 Nov 2004 00:00:00 EST

The complete 45-episode series of the TV show Pee-Wee's Playhouse is now out on DVD. Reubens originally created the Pee-Wee character at the Los Angeles improv group called The Groundlings. Pee-Wee's Playhouse went on the air in 1986. It ran on CBS for 5 years, garnering 22 Emmys.

Cartoonist Gahan Wilson

Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:00:00 EDT

Gahan Wilson's cartoons are dark and twisted and have appeared in The New Yorker for decades. His new collection will be published in December. It's called The Best of Gahan Wilson. This interview was first broadcast in 1986.

Red Sox Make Sports History with Pennant Comeback

Thu, 21 Oct 2004 00:00:00 EDT

NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with NPR's Mike Pesca about the Boston Red Sox and their historic victory over the New York Yankees Wednesday, coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the best-of-seven pennant playoff by winning four straight games against their perennial rival. The Red Sox last won the American League pennant in 1986, and the team has not won the World Series since it traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1918 -- the so-called "curse of the bambino."