Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'centennial'

Library Honors Oft-Overshadowed Writer

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

During 40 years as fiction editor of the New Yorker magazine, William Maxwell worked with luminaries like Vladimir Nabokov and John Cheever. His own writings were often overshadowed by his job — but now they've been reissued by the Library of America to mark the centennial of his birth. NPR's Jacki Lyden finds out more about the man and his words.

Beauty And Mischief In 'Anne Of Green Gables'

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Modern Library has released a special edition of Anne of Green Gables in honor of the book's centennial. Writer Gwenda Bond, who blogs about children's books and young-adult literature, discusses the importance of L.M. Montgomery's classic novel and her personal attachment to Anne.

Leading Black Sorority Celebrates 100 Years

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), Inc., the oldest Greek-letter black sorority, celebrates its centennial this year. Barbara McKinzie, the group's international president, is joined by sorority member Aundrea Mial, to discuss the group's 100 years of sisterhood and public service. The two also respond to those who argue that groups like AKA are elitist.

Violinist Stephane Grappelli on Piano Jazz

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:33:00 EDT

In an archival show from 1990, Piano Jazz celebrates the centennial of Stephane Grappelli, one of the jazz world's greatest violinists. Grappelli first found fame in France with Django Reinhart's Quintette du Hot Club. He went on to an illustrious career playing with everyone from Oscar Peterson to Paul Simon to Yo-Yo Ma.

Celebrating the Ian Fleming Centennial

Sat, 31 May 2008 12:03:00 EDT

Ian Fleming, the writer who invented the immortal character James Bond, would have been 100 years old this week. He died in 1964. Scott Simon talks to Simon Winder, author of a book about Fleming's life and colorful career.

Lionel Hampton on Piano Jazz

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:11:00 EDT

Piano Jazz celebrates the centennial of vibraphonist Lionel Hampton. "Hampi" is credited with establishing the vibes as a jazz instrument. In this program from 1989, Hampton plays some of his classics such as "Flying Home," and shows off his pianistic and vocal abilities on "Mack the Knife."

Baseball Memories: The Red Barber Centennial

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST

Walter Lanier Barber, better known as "Red" to countless baseball fans who heard his memorable broadcasts over the decades, was born 100 years ago this Sunday. Before his death in 1992, Barber spent a dozen years as a Morning Edition commentator.

National Cathedral Celebrates Centennial Year

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:15:00 EDT

Washington's National Cathedral, now 100 years old, plays a prominent role in the life of the nation. The Protestant Episcopal church has hosted presidents and offered a place to mourn during national crises.

Church Copes with Black Flight from San Francisco

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 08:00:00 EDT

An African-American church in San Francisco celebrates its centennial, even as large numbers of blacks leave the city. members city. The church's "Wall of Black Heroes" offers an extraordinary history lesson.

Laurence Olivier: One of a Kind, Twice Over

Tue, 22 May 2007 16:00:00 EDT

Today marks the centennial of the birth of the 20th century's greatest classical actor. Laurence Olivier was also a 1940s matinee idol who married Scarlett O'Hara. NPR's Bob Mondello offers an appreciation.

Couple Vows to Get Beer Flowing Again in 'Dixie'

Sat, 03 Jun 2006 13:46:00 EDT

Dixie Beer is the signature brew of Louisiana, an icon known around the country more for its green and gold label than its tasty hops. This mom-and-pop operation was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina, but it still hopes to celebrate its centennial.

L.A. Hosts Pentecostal Centennial Celebration

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 08:26:58 EDT

In April 1906, a mission on Azusa Street in Los Angeles launched an international religious movement. As Rachael Myrow of member station KPCC reports, 100,000 Pentecostal and charismatic Christians are celebrating the centennial.

Hearing Voices: The S.F. Quake Centennial, Part 1

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 13:00:00 EDT

April 18 marks the centennial of one of America's greatest catastrophes, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. In part one of our two-part re-examination of the events following the quake, we look at how bad luck and human error exacerbated the disaster. Our look at the disaster is brought to us by independent producer Jesse Boggs and the Hearing Voices radio project.

Guggenheim Celebrates Centennial of Sculptor Smith

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 13:39:47 EDT

David Smith was one of the most acclaimed sculptors of his generation. This month the Guggenheim Museum opens a major retrospective to mark the centennial of Smith's birth. Smith helped revolutionize sculpture in this country by applying the principles of abstract expressionism to the three-dimensional medium of sculpture.

Theater Companies Mark Odets Centennial

Sat, 04 Mar 2006 19:19:01 EST

Clifford Odets, remembered as the defining American playwright of the 1930s, would have turned 100 this year. His works -- including Waiting for Lefty, Awake and Sing and Golden Boy brought social realism to the stage. Many companies around the country are staging his plays.

Benjamin Franklin at 300

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST

Next Tuesday marks the 300th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, printer, postmaster, diplomat, statesman and inventor. Guests: HW Brands, author, The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin, Dickson, Allen, Anderson centennial professor, Department of History, University of Texas Page Talbott, associate director and chief curator of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary editor and an author of Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World

Marking a Garbo Centennial

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT

One hundred years ago, the actress Greta Garbo was born. She became Hollywood's biggest star in the 1920s and '30s. Library of Congress film historian Mike Mashon recounts her memorable roles.

E=mc² at 100

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 00:00:00 EDT

September 27 marks the centennial of the most famous equation in the world: E=mc². On this day in 1905, Albert Einstein submitted the paper that laid out the formula. We hear archive tape, and physicist John Rigden, author of Einstein 1905: The Standard of Greatness, explains the seminal formula.

Las Vegas Celebrates its Centennial

Fri, 13 May 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Since its humble origins in a 1905 land auction, the city of Las Vegas has grown from a two-track railroad junction town to a metropolis of nearly two million people, and has become an American cultural touchstone, for better or worse.

A Taste of the Las Vegas Centennial Anniversary

Thu, 12 May 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Listeners get a preview of Day to Day reporter Madeleine Brand's story marking the centennial of the founding of the city of Las Vegas. Tune in Friday to hear the total Vegas experience.

Einstein Centennial

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 00:00:00 EST

One hundred years ago this year, patent clerk Albert Einstein published a series of scientific papers that would change the course of physics and brand him forever as a scientific and cultural icon.

'Come Rain or Come Shine'

Tue, 15 Feb 2005 00:00:00 EST

With a catalogue of more than 400 songs, including "Over the Rainbow," "Stormy Weather," and "Get Happy," the timeless music of Harold Arlen has kept America swinging, and singing, for decades. NPR marks the centennial of the songwriter's birth with an hour-long special.

Centennial of Songwriter Harold Arlen

Tue, 15 Feb 2005 00:00:00 EST

The songwriter Harold Arlen was born 100 years ago Tuesday. Arlen isn't as well known as some of his contemporaries, but you probably know his songs.

Book Bag: Marking the Ayn Rand Centennial

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 00:00:00 EST

Today marks the centennial of the birth of controversial writer and philosopher, Ayn Rand. Nick Gillespie, editor in chief of the libertarian political journal Reason magazine, offers his thoughts on her legacy.

Some Things to Look Forward to in 2005

Fri, 31 Dec 2004 00:00:00 EST

NPR's Melissa Block looks at some unusual trends and events in 2005. They include the new look in Web design, new trends in food-flavoring, a primer on why 2005 is World Year of Physics, and a centennial to celebrate in the Canadian province of Alberta.