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The Institute for Sexual Research, founded in 1919, pioneered modern gender-affirming health care. NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with medical historian Brandy Schillace on this piece of queer history.

As if the most deadly wildfires in modern U.S. history hadn't been devastating enough, Maui residents were then hit with rumors and conspiracy theories, making some people hesitant to seek help.

Thirty years ago, Pink Floyd's recording The Dark Side of the Moon became the number one album on Billboard magazine's pop music chart. So began the longest streak in music chart history: 741 weeks on the Top 200. No other recording comes close. The album has touched one generation after the next, which is odd because it's such a quirky album of electronic music, sound effects, saxophones, and a famous but unidentified female singer performing scat. Reporter Jad Abumrad of member station WNYC went around New York City to ask likely listeners why Dark Side has lasted.

Edward Favre, the mayor of Bay St. Louis, Miss., says half of the homes in his city have been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. His family's history in the town stretches back nine generations; now he and family members are trying to pick up the pieces.

Spies spend their whole careers hiding secrets from family and close friends. Yet, when they retire, they don't necessarily disappear into history. Many of them turn around and publish memoirs. We discuss what's behind the urge to spy and tell. Is it bad for sources — or the agencies?

Sixty years ago, the German army tried to push the Allies back one last time, as World War II neared its end in Europe. Former CBS anchor Walter Cronkite was with Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army that Christmas. Cronkite reflects on the Battle of the Bulge, which remains the largest pitched battle in U.S. history.

This was supposed to be a great year for Major League Baseball. Attendance was up, and the Boston Red Sox finally won the World Series. But now baseball's making headlines for the biggest drug scandal in its history. Revelations regarding Yankees slugger Jason Giambi's use of steroids may have stern implications for homerun legend Barry Bonds and others. Sport officials are meeting in Phoenix to discuss the issue; Congress has warned that if changes don't come soon, they will pass laws to require higher standards.

StoryCorps, the oral history project, opens a new recording booth in New York, at the site of the World Trade Center. An initial piece of the planned memorial, the booth will provide a way for those who lost loved ones on Sept. 11, 2001, to share their stories.

The Filbert Steps create a steep spine that runs up and down San Francisco's historic Telegraph Hill, leading visitors past some of the city's oldest houses and most sublime, secret gardens. The gardens are heavy with blossoms -- and local history. NPR's Ketzel Levine reports.

Some of the first truly American music was created by Black voices. In this playlist, pianist Lara Downes offers a broad range of songs that speak to the irrepressible, irresistible sound of hope.