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Born into slavery, Frederick Douglass learned to read against the odds, succeeded in a harrowing escape from bondage, and went on to bear witness to its evils across the country. By the outbreak of the Civil War, he had become perhaps the most famous orator in the nation — charismatic, eloquent, and a unique combination of fierce critic of his country and radical patriot. Journey with the author of the recent Pulitzer Prize-winning biography into Douglass’s world — and learn not only about his tumultuous and divided times, but ours too. Stick around after the event for a book signing with David Blight.
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The US House of Representatives will vote later this month on whether to admit Washington, DC as the 51st state. The mayor of DC talks about the vote.





Voting rights are under assault in America. More than 250 bills that would restrict access to voting are pending in 43 states.

COVID-19 has hindered progress in gender equity as women have left the workforce to care for children. But 2020 also held record high numbers of women running for office & hol...

In a time of heightened distrust, how can media outlets reclaim the public’s confidence? We hear from a longtime journalist.





The idea of unity is a compassionate, hopeful aspiration for a country ravaged by a global pandemic, racial injustice, economic downturn and mob violence.



Two weeks before the first woman of color became Vice President, an angry mob that included members of the white supremacist group Proud Boys, stormed the US Capitol. As Ibram...

Biden believes deeply that actions like the January 6th violence at the Capitol are not who we want to be as a country, says Evan Osnos, author of a Biden biography.





As the nation reels from the attack on the Capitol, we look for ideas that will move us forward.

Peggy Clark asks Dan Glickman to reflect on this past year and to share what he expects from our country under President-elect Joe Biden’s leadership.



A look back at what we've read, watched, and listened this year.