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Centuries ago, the Silk Road snaked across Asia and Europe. Now the Smithsonian Folklife Festival celebrates the ancient trade route by bringing 350 singers, dancers, artists and storytellers from over 20 countries to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Robert Siegel travels the route for All Things Considered.

We remember film director John Frankenheimer. His films include The Manchurian Candidate, French Connection 2 and The Birdman of Alcatraz. He died this past Saturday, at the age of 72.

From almost the beginning of the broadcast era, audiences have had a taste for seeing -- and before that, hearing -- themselves on the air. On Present at the Creation, Peter Sagal, host of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, explores the origins of the quiz show.

Five years ago, a plucky little spacecraft called Pathfinder parachuted into Mars and sent back rock composition data and stunning images of the Martian surface. On the five-year anniversary of the mission, Joe Palca reports for All Things Considered that planning for the next mission in 2003 is already underway.

Writer/director Nicole Holofcener. Her new film Lovely and Amazing is a comedy about the insecurities that many women have about their appearance. It stars Catherine Keener, Brenda Blethyn and Dermot Mulroney. Holofcener also wrote the screenplay for the film Walking and Talking.

For six generations, Mohawk Indian ironworkers have shaped New York City's skyline, working the "high steel" of skyscrapers and bridges. From The Sonic Memorial Project and Lost & Found Sound, hear the stories of the Mohawks who helped build the World Trade Center Twin Towers -- and their descendents who returned to the site after Sept. 11, to help clear the shattered towers away.

Songs of longing and despair are a national tradition in Portugal — a music called fado. And a singer named Misia is the reigning queen of the mournful, melancholy musical genre. Misia talks with guest host Jacki Lyden about fado and Portugal's emotional inner life.

Running 135 miles across Death Valley and halfway up a mountain -- all in the middle of summer -- sounds a bit crazy, if not life-threatening. NPR's Andy Bowers reports for All Things Considered on the motivations of some of the 79 runners who this July competed in what's often called the toughest foot race in the world: the Badwater Ultramarathon.

Environmentalists have been wary of the Bush administration since its first day in office. They say reforms proposed by the president will be disastrous for the environment. The government maintains it is simply making it easier and more affordable for businesses to obey environmental laws. NPR's John Nielsen reports for Morning Edition.

Songwriter Matt Dennis died Sunday at the age of 88. He wrote the songs "Angel Eyes," "Everything Happens to Me" and "Let's Get Away from It All." In the 1940s he worked with Tommy Dorsey as an arranger and vocal coach when he wrote his biggest hits. This interview first aired December 12, 1995.