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Congressman John Lewis, Democrat from Georgia’s 5th congressional district,  is the author of the historical narrative, “Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change.” He talks about his early involvement in the non-violent protests of the civil rights movement, and recounts his experience in leading a group of students across the Edmond Pettus Bridge in Alabama when he was 25 years old. Rep. Lewis explains how he and other students were beaten and arrested by Alabama state troopers.  He comments on many of the early participants in the civil rights movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Allis and Ronald Radosh discuss their book "A Safe Haven: Harry S. Truman and the Founding of Israel." The book is the story of President Truman and his decision to have the United States recognize the State of Israel, which officially happened on May 14, 1948. Much of the documentation for this book was based on never-before-used archival material.

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Erik Larson is the author of the historical narrative, "In the Garden of Beasts," which details the life of William E. Dodd. Dodd became America’s first ambassador to Adolf Hitler’s Germany in Berlin during 1933. The story follows Dodd and his family, including daughter Martha, as they interact with Joseph Goebbels, Hermann Goring and other top level members of the Third Reich during the years leading up to World War II. The book chronicles Martha’s relationships with various authors including Carl Sandburg and Thomas Wolfe, as well as high-ranking Germans. It also tells the story of Ambassador Dodd’s growing frustration with America’s lack of action against the Third Reich. Erik Larson has authored three New York Times bestsellers, including "The Devil in the White City," and "Isaac’s Storm." Larson was a staff writer for the Wall Street Journal, and a contributing writer for Time Magazine. He has written articles for The Atlantic, Harper’s, The New Yorker, and other publications.

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Senate curator Diane Skvarla talks about the U.S. Senate art collection, her job as curator, and about the taping of C-SPAN's "The Capitol."

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Simon Winchester talks about his sweeping historical narrative of the Atlantic Ocean, "Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms, and a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories," He details his cross-country replication of the transcontinental motor convoy Dwight Eisenhower volunteered for in 1919 that later prompted President Eisenhower’s interstate highway system proposal. He also talks about his career as a reporter, freelance writer and author, and describes his July 4, 2011, naturalization ceremony on the deck of the USS Constitution in Boston Harbor. He shares his writing and research habits, along with future projects.

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Michael Hill is the author of "Elihu Washburne: The Diary and Letters of America's Minister to France During the Siege and Commune of Paris."  Mr. Hill reflects on his early career in politics and the transition he made into independent research.  He talks about the 20 year partnership he has developed with author David McCullough and the various books he has researched for him.  He also details the research he did various authors including Evan Thomas, Nathaniel Philbrick, Jon Meacham and Michael Korda.

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50 years ago, on April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” while being held in prison for his involvement in a city-wide civil rights protest called the Birmingham Campaign. King’s daughter, Bernice King, CEO of the King Center in Atlanta, joins Alabama’s governor, Birmingham’s Mayor and others for the unveiling of a historical marker aside the Birmingham Jail.

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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham civil rights campaign. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famed “Letter from Birmingham Jail” after being arrested for taking part in the protests. The campaign gained national attention after local officials used dogs and water cannons on kids after they took to the streets in what was known as the “Children’s Crusade.” A panel of authors and historians recall the turmoil of the time, as well as how Birmingham has chosen to remember its past. This event was part of the Alabama Historical Association’s annual conference.

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At the direction of Congress, the voices and experiences from the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20^th century are being documented in an oral history project. This effort is a collaboration of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, the Library of Congress and the Southern Oral History Program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

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