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Writer TAYLOR BRANCH. The first volume of his exhaustive history of the Civil Rights movement - "Parting the Waters, America in the King Years"(SS) - was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1989. In it, Branch covered the period from 1954 to 1963. Branch is a former staff member of Harper''s, and Esquire. This interview was originally broadcast in 1988.

Jacki Lyden talks with Elizabeth Abbott, author of A History of Celibacy: From Athena to Elizabeth I, Leonardo da Vinci, Florence Nightingale, Gandhi, and Cher. Abbott reveals what caused and still causes people to give up sex . Although required by some religions, celibacy was undertaken as a choice primarily throughout history for social and economic reasons. (Scribner ISBN 0-684-84943-7)

NPR's Tom Goldman reports on the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. The event ceremony celebrated Australia's rich and strange history, with a lawnmower ballet, displays of horsemanship and tributes to the island nation's Aboriginal history. But it was the selection of Australian sprinter Cathy Freeman, an Aborigine and gold medal favorite, as the final torch bearer, that provided the emotional highlight of the 4-hour event.

The great grandson of one of the founders of Coca Cola says he's going to sell the best-kept secret in corporate history: the Coca Cola formula. Susan speaks with Mark Pendergrast, author of "For God, Country, and Coca Cola," a history of the great soft drink company. (5:40) [outcue: (STAMBERG) "... the secret formula is valuable only as a piece of memorabilia."

Robert talks with Daniel Patrick Moynihan about his new book, "Miles to Go: A Personal History of Social Policy," a compilation of Moynihan's speeches and essays about social policy spanning three decades. (12:00) STATIONS: "Miles to Go: A Personal History of Social Policy" is published by Harvard University Press.

For a brief history of Ivory Coast, Linda talks with Jeanne Maddox Toungara, Professor of History at Howard University in Washington D.C. Toungara lived and taught in the Ivory Coast for fifteen years, and has written extensively on the country. She says Ivory Coast is a former French colony. Its capital city was once thought of as the "Paris of Africa."

When the election is finally settled, what will happen to the butterfly ballots, polling stations and chads at the center of attention? Some of them may end up at the Smithsonian Institution. Host Lisa Simeone talks with Larry Bird, curator of the Political History Collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, who's heading to Florida on a collection mission.

Allison Keyes is an award-winning journalist with almost 20 years of experience in print, radio, and television. She has been reporting for NPR's national desk since October 2005. Her reports can be heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition Sunday.

Every four years, the U.S. gets a look at how students around the country are doing in civics and history education. The latest snapshot has educators and legislators worried.

Black History Month often invokes the past, but Black history is made every day. We asked NPR listeners to tell us about local Black figures making a difference in their communities.