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"When we started," says Susan Stamberg, "there was war in Vietnam, demonstrations against that war, the voting age was lowered to 18, the Beatles had broken up and in the air ... as well as on our air ... a sweetly notable absence of irony."

The recent destruction and loss of lives across the United States echoes another era more than 100 years ago — a time when humans began trying to outwit and even defeat tornadoes. After a deadly 1896 tornado in St. Louis, one proposal called for building large walls near big cities to protect them from twisters.

But the demolition project did nothing to ease the risk of more trouble downstream, where the mighty river is expected to rise to its highest levels since the 1920s in some parts of Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. Authorities were considering using techniques similar to the Missouri project to divert on oncoming rush of water.

Like the "birthers" who try to raise questions about President Obama's citizenship and the "truthers" who have conspiracy theories about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the "deathers" are suspicious about bin Laden's death.

Osama bin Laden's death continues dominating global headlines. In the U.S., politicians are considering how this event might affect them and their parties. Host Michel Martin breaks down the political implications of the raid on bin Laden with Atlanta Journal Constitution's Cynthia Tucker and U.S. News and World Report's Mary Kate Cary.

The recession is rebounding and large companies are feeling optimistic about their futures. But recent reports say small businesses have become more pessimistic. Host Michel Martin speaks with money coach Alvin Hall about what's behind these contrasting opinions and how small businesses can survive.

Security has tightened in the U.S. as a precaution, following the death of Osama bin Laden. Authorities say they have no information about a specific threat, but they think there's a good chance that bin Laden's supporters will try to retaliate at some point, either at home or abroad.

Upon the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death, crowds of people swarmed outside to cheer, and to express their gratitude and relief. Some commentators have bemoaned this revelry, but author Julianna Baggott says that kids have a reason to be relieved.

Tuesday afternoon middle schoolers across the country danced together. More or less.

Even in our early days, NPR has worked hard to produce and distribute the news using the best technical machinery and devices available. But, let's just say we've come along way from reel-to-reel tapes.