*Radio Diaries*

THE PLANE THAT FLEW INTO THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

On July 28, 1945 an Army bomber pilot on a routine ferry mission found himself lost in the fog over Manhattan. A dictation machine in a nearby office happened to capture the sound of the plane as it flew by and hit the Empire State Building at the 79th floor. Fourteen people were killed. Debris from the plane severed the cables of an elevator, which fell 79 stories with a young woman inside. She survived. The crash prompted new legislation that — for the first time — gave citizens the right to sue the federal government.

Producers Joe Richman and Samara Freemark produced this audio history of the day a plane flew into the Empire State Building.

More photos and info here.

Becoming Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was born 90 years ago.

Over the course of his lifetime Mandela was a lawyer, freedom fighter, leader of the African National Congress, and finally, president.

In honor of his birthday, July 18th, we look back at his 1963 treason trial where he outlined his dream of democracy in South Africa and declared, "It's an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

It was the moment when Mandela became known to the world as a symbol of resistance and democracy.

OTHER NEWS:

CD Released!
Mandela: An Audio History, hosted by Desmond Tutu and with an introduction by Nelson Mandela, has been released on CD. You can buy it online.

Web Special:
Learn more about the stories, the people, and the history of the struggle against apartheid at our Mandela History website.

We have launched the Radio Diaries Podcast. Search for us in Itunes or subscribe here.

Mandela: An Audio History A five-part radio series documenting the struggle against apartheid through rare sound recordings, the voice of Nelson Mandela himself, as well as those who fought with him, and against him. Visit the website
The Audio History Project We have launched a new series chronicling hidden chapters of 20th century history. Told in Radio Diaries style, the stories weave together home recordings, archival news clips, and first-person accounts to bring the past to life. Hear the stories.
Thembi's AIDS Diary: A Year in the Life of a South African Teenager Thembi is 19 and lives in the township of Khayelitsha. For the past year she has been carrying around a tape recorder and keeping an audio diary of her struggle to live with AIDS. Hear Thembi's story. Check out Thembi's Blog Purchase the CD

Technical tips. Youth radio resources. And everything you need
to know to make your own radio diary. Check out the Teen Reporter Handbook and explore new worlds through making your own radio documentaries.

and we'll keep you posted on upcoming Radio Diaries programs and events.

Radio Diaries, Inc. // 169 Avenue A, Suite 13 // New York, NY 10009 //212-533-5247 // info@radiodiaries.org
Radio Diaries is a not-for-profit production company