History

On "Florida Matters Live & Local," we get a peek into how the museum is coming together from its program manager and curator. The museum is anticipated to open next year, but there isn't a set date yet.

The Inca Empire in South America was one of the most powerful pre-Columbian societies. It was known for the architecture of Machu Picchu, an extensive road network and a system of terraces for agriculture. The society also kept records known as khipu, which involved a system of tying knots to encode sophisticated information. Literacy in this form of writing was assumed to be something that only the highest levels of Inca society could do. But NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce shares how a new analysis of a cord made out of human hair may change that assumption. Curious about science history? Email us at shortwave@npr.org. Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.

WSMR explores history and the events in music, culture, the arts and more that shaped our world.

A self-described "little farm girl" in the Jim Crow Era, Gladys West's complex and pioneering work for the U.S. Navy helped to improve billions of lives — and keep us from getting lost.

Nearly 280 filmmakers entered the Internet Archive's annual contest celebrating creative freedom without copyright restrictions.

Dave Willat was just 11 years old when he showed up for what he thought would be a routine church choir practice in 1965. He and his fellow singers ended up making history.

The story of the Peace River is, in a sense, the story of Florida. Parts of it look like they did before Florida was developed. But it also bears the scars of a century and a half of exploitation.

An auctioneer stumbled upon the long lost painting, which depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, inside a Paris townhouse last year during a routine visit.

The filmmaker says the documentary seeks to penetrate to the heart of Wiesel and his legacy as one of the most public survivors of the Holocaust.

WSMR explores history and the events in music, culture, the arts and more that shaped our world.