Letter from America: From Nixon to Carter (1969-1980)

Severe winter weather

04 Feb 1977

Contributed by Lukas

Severe sub-zero storms cripple many US states. Worst winter weather since 1888.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two ...

Government by the people

28 Jan 1977

Contributed by Lukas

President Carter promises a public hotline to the White House aimed at giving more public say on issues.This archive edition of Letter from America wa...

President Carter inaugurated

21 Jan 1977

Contributed by Lukas

President Carter's inauguration day spared the earlier snowstorms. Ground-breaking solar energy plan to warm the crowds fails to work.This archive edi...

Carter's inauguration preparations

14 Jan 1977

Contributed by Lukas

Arguments flare over preparations for Jimmy Carter's presidential inauguration.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two ...

Death with dignity law

07 Jan 1977

Contributed by Lukas

State of California introduces 'death with dignity' law, otherwise known as the 'living will' legislation.The sound quality on this recording is varia...

Christmas in Vermont, 1976

31 Dec 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Enjoying the fruits of his family's labours at a traditional New England Christmas gathering.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded ...

Racial discrimination, 1976

24 Dec 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Attorney General Griffin Bell's membership of private club with restricted membership. Racial discrimination in US clubs.This archive edition of Lette...

Immigrant work ethic

17 Dec 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Immigrant work ethic; does it change in subsequent generations? Prejudices about national character.This archive edition of Letter from America was re...

Bertram Lance appointed budget director

10 Dec 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Bertram Lance appointed Director of the Office of Management and Budget. How job titles rarely explain how much power the holder actually has.The soun...

Friedman warns on inflation

03 Dec 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Nobel economist Milton Friedman warns incoming president on dangers of inflation.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of tw...

Assassinations committee

26 Nov 1976

Contributed by Lukas

New House select committee to investigate evidence in Kennedy and Luther King assassinations.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded ...

Shining the light on payola

19 Nov 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Carter promises more than the Sunshine laws to shed light on payola.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, ...

Jimmy Carter elected president, 1976

12 Nov 1976

Contributed by Lukas

How Americans feel about Jimmy Carter - the story revealed by the polling.

Presidential election, November 1976

05 Nov 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Carter wins presidential election November 1976. Breaks Republican stranglehold of rural America.This archive edition of Letter from America was recor...

Presidential election polls, October 1976

29 Oct 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Opinion polls on the forthcoming presidential election. The many things which can affect the way people vote on the day.This archive edition of Letter...

Politics v baseball

22 Oct 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Baseball v politics. The World Series final clashes with US presidential hopefuls Carter and Ford TV debate.This archive edition of Letter from Americ...

Presidential candidates' TV debates

08 Oct 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Carter v Ford presidential candidates debate issues on TV. Muted audience reaction to dull debates format.This archive edition of Letter from America ...

Unsporting manners

01 Oct 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Unsporting manners. Violence erupts outside Yankee Stadium as police go on strike.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of t...

Carter Playboy interview, September 1976

24 Sep 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Carter Playboy interview. Public reaction to Carter's 'adultery in my heart' admission.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one...

Vietnam asks for UN membership

17 Sep 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Vietnam's request for UN membership delayed. Statistics on percentage of US voters who decline to use their votes in presidential elections.This archi...

Double-deck bus trouble in NY

10 Sep 1976

Contributed by Lukas

New York's blunder over ordering double-deck buses for city centre use.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listener...

Jimmy Carter's background

27 Aug 1976

Contributed by Lukas

This episode contains references to racially offensive character names.US press descend on Jimmy Carter's Georgia birthplace to find out more about th...

Reagan loses Republican nomination

20 Aug 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Reagan loses Republican nomination at Kansas convention. Reasons behind Chinese rejection of US aid following devastating earthquake.This archive edit...

Republican convention Kansas

13 Aug 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Conservative Senator Buckley joins hopefuls for Kansas Republican convention vote.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of t...

Ford bounces back in opinion polls

06 Aug 1976

Contributed by Lukas

President Ford bounces back in public opinion polls. Nominee Carter now not such a shoe-in.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by...

China earthquake

30 Jul 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Massive earthquake in China. US offers of aid rebuffed by Chinese.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, wh...

Special relationship especially warm

23 Jul 1976

Contributed by Lukas

US-UK special relationship especially warm this summer. UK tourism figures boom.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two...

Private security firms

16 Jul 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Use of private security firms expands. National Democratic convention held in NY at Madison Square Gardens.The sound quality on this recording is vari...

Britain's heatwave

09 Jul 1976

Contributed by Lukas

The US heartland thrived once air conditioning became the norm - pity the Britons sweltering this summer with none.This archive edition of Letter from...

Party conventions

02 Jul 1976

Contributed by Lukas

The days of the political circus have gone - today's party conventions are dull affairs compared to past excitements.This archive edition of Letter fr...

Italian elections

25 Jun 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Relief in the West as Italy's Communist Party fails to make the electoral gains it had hoped for.This archive edition of Letter from America was recor...

Ford and Reagan battle for Republican nomination

18 Jun 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Carter confident of Democrat party vote, Ford and Reagan battle over the Republican nomination.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorde...

Carter and Ford face conventions

11 Jun 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Presidential hopeful Jimmy Carter faces friendly Democrat convention; sitting President Ford faces tougher battle at Republican gathering.This archive...

Primary battle reaching climax

04 Jun 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Both parties tense as presidential primaries reach climax with the Californian vote.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of...

California's Proposition 15

28 May 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Voters in California asked to back Proposition 15 which could limit the use of nuclear power and lead to a further energy crisis.The sound quality on ...

Maintenance workers strike

21 May 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Maintenance workers strike could end New York rent control.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who betwe...

US-USSR nuclear deal kept quiet

14 May 1976

Contributed by Lukas

President Ford keeps US-USSR nuclear pact quiet. Suggestion that Ford is concerned about being seen as weak on foreign policy.This archive edition of ...

Panama blunder by Reagan

07 May 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Presidential candidate Reagan blunders over Panama Canal policy. Senator Goldwater's influence on Republican votes.This archive edition of Letter from...

UN wasting money

30 Apr 1976

Contributed by Lukas

UN wasting money. Director claims food programme spends more on management. Woodward & Bernstein publish 'Final Days' book on Nixon.The sound qual...

Spring heatwave, 1976

23 Apr 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Spring heatwave. Congress wants more say on foreign policy. White exodus from New York.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one...

San Francisco transport strike

16 Apr 1976

Contributed by Lukas

San Francisco transport workers' pay demands redefine accepted pay differentials.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of tw...

Anxiety over Soviet superpower

09 Apr 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Kissinger warns of risk to NATO from growing Soviet superpower.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who b...

Ford boosts defence spending

02 Apr 1976

Contributed by Lukas

President Ford mixes campaigning with governing as he backs increased defence spending.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one...

Swine flu outbreak

26 Mar 1976

Contributed by Lukas

President Ford backs plan to vaccinate entire US population against swine flu outbreak.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one...

The special relationship

19 Mar 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Reassessing the 'special relationship' between the UK and US, in the light of British Prime Minister Harold Wilson's sudden resignation.

Social surveys

12 Mar 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Social surveys blow apart US stereotypes. Statistics can not explain individual concerns.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by o...

Massachusetts primary, March 1976

05 Mar 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Massachusetts primary. Voters drift to the right. Bicentennial bull wins bad taste prize.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by o...

First primary in presidential campaign

27 Feb 1976

Contributed by Lukas

First primary in election campaign. Results show only who the losers are, no indication of eventual winner.This archive edition of Letter from America...

Presidential campaign begins

20 Feb 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Hopefuls line up for start of this year's presidential campaign.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who ...

Gossip

13 Feb 1976

Contributed by Lukas

The history of the word 'gossip', and what's being said about the disgraced ex-President Nixon accepting an invitation to go to China.

Hearst jury selected

06 Feb 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Patty Hearst bank robbery trial – jury selected two years after her original kidnapping.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by ...

Preconceptions about place

30 Jan 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Understanding the world means losing some preconceptions about other places.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two lis...

American political parties

23 Jan 1976

Contributed by Lukas

How the Democrats and the Republicans all came from a federalist starting point – and how they're both trying to hang on to the overcrowded middle g...

Musical comedy

16 Jan 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Sondheim's Japanese story a landmark production in US musical comedy.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners,...

Anne Armstrong appointed London envoy

09 Jan 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Former Nixon aide, Republican Anne Armstrong, appointed as US ambassador to the UK.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of ...

Bicentennial year

02 Jan 1976

Contributed by Lukas

Bicentennial year in the land of unbounded commercial opportunity.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, wh...

Ford loses Angola aid vote

26 Dec 1975

Contributed by Lukas

President Ford weakened by Senate refusal to back his offer of further aid to Angolan guerillas.This archive edition of Letter from America was record...

Moynihan angry over UN's Zionist vote

19 Dec 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Moynihan, US ambassador to the UN, hits out over security council's Zionist vote.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by on...

NYC aid bill passed

12 Dec 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Filibuster bid fails to derail the NYC aid bill which is passed by both Houses.The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor.This archive editi...

Hazards of ballet dancing

05 Dec 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Ballet dancers and sports players suffer physical damage from their professions.The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor.This archive edit...

Report uncovers CIA murder plots

28 Nov 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Startling evidence of CIA plots to assassinate foreign leaders uncovered in Senate interim report.This archive edition of Letter from America was reco...

Reagan declares candidacy

21 Nov 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Former California governor Ronald Reagan declares he wants Republican candidacy for next presidential election.This archive edition of Letter from Ame...

Ford shakes up team

14 Nov 1975

Contributed by Lukas

President Ford sharpens his advisory team as the line-up for the next presidential nomination begins.This archive edition of Letter from America was r...

Stand-off over NYC finances

07 Nov 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Ford holds fast despite public opinion backing a financial bail-out for bankrupt NYC.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one o...

New bonds deal for NY finances

31 Oct 1975

Contributed by Lukas

New Yorkers vent anger at Ford's refusal of federal bail-out for bankrupt city. New bonds issue under discussion.This archive edition of Letter from A...

Russians win US grain deal

24 Oct 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Soviets to buy US grain in new deal - but China signals fears over detente.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two list...

Ford-Rockefeller squabble over NY finances

17 Oct 1975

Contributed by Lukas

President and vice president can not agree over solution to New York city's financial problems.The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor.Th...

Networks refuse Ford air time

10 Oct 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Ford's proposed TV speech on tax cuts judged 'illegal' by networks who refuse the president air time.This archive edition of Letter from America was r...

Visit of Japanese emperor

03 Oct 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Increased security surrounds visit of Japanese emperor, following attempts on President Ford's life.This archive edition of Letter from America was re...

Patty Hearst arrest, 1975

26 Sep 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Patty Hearst arrest. Media speculation about Hearst. Assassination attempts on President Ford by Squeaky Fromme and Sara Moore.This archive edition of...

Assassination attempt on Ford

12 Sep 1975

Contributed by Lukas

President Ford is saved from assassination attempt in Sacramento, and the perils of taped broadcasting, when it comes to commenting on up-to-the-minut...

Ford on Portuguese revolution

22 Aug 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Ford uses American Legion speech to warn Soviets on meddling in Portuguese revolution.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one ...

Grain export boycott

15 Aug 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Fears of inflation lead to dock workers' boycott of grain shipments to USSR.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two lis...

Nuclear power

01 Aug 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Warnings over safeguarding nuclear power so it can not produce weapons.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listener...

The secret of longevity

25 Jul 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Summer heat in Manhattan. And a look at different approaches to ageing.The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor.This archive edition of Le...

US/USSR handshakes, 1975

18 Jul 1975

Contributed by Lukas

American and Soviet astronauts Thomas Stafford and Alexei Leonov's symbolic handshake, and Alexander Solzhenitsyn's untimely intervention about the re...

The Helsinki Accords

11 Jul 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Helsinki Accords treaty - aimed at removing tension between Soviets and NATO countries - finally signed.The sound quality on this recording is variabl...

Tax exiles, July 1975

04 Jul 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Noel Coward, Sean Connery, Tony Jacklin - why stars of stage, screen and sport have to become tax exiles. And how golfer Tom Watson avoided being stru...

The Ford presidency

27 Jun 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Ford is making a better job of his presidency than most voters expected.The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor.This archive edition of L...

Travel myths

20 Jun 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Travel expectations very rarely live up to the reality.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between t...

Big MAC saves New York

13 Jun 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Big MAC - the new Municipal Assistance Corporation - to take control of New York City's troubled finances.This archive edition of Letter from America ...

Doctors' strike

06 Jun 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Doctors strike over rocketing insurance cover. Growing malpractice suits blamed.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two...

English language problems

30 May 1975

Contributed by Lukas

USA and the UK - two nations sharing a language, but not the same meaning.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two liste...

Global climate change

23 May 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Forecasters claim global weather is cooling. Folk memory disagrees.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, w...

Cambodia gunboat diplomacy

16 May 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Why did President Ford launch an attack on Cambodia? Arriving late to a news story allows you to ask the simple question.

Arab-Israeli peace deal collapses, March 1975

28 Mar 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Arab-Israeli peace deal fails. King Faisal shot. Cambodia collapses. Kissinger's diplomatic efforts all end in failure.The sound quality on this recor...

Women's Lib, 1975

21 Mar 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Equal Rights amendment to the US constitution causes splits in both women's and men's liberation groups.This archive edition of Letter from America wa...

Row over Cambodia aid

14 Mar 1975

Contributed by Lukas

Congress unhappy over President Ford's demands for additional aid to battle-torn Cambodia.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by ...

US import restrictions, March 1975

07 Mar 1975

Contributed by Lukas

US import restrictions. Possible trade with Cuba. No support for Cambodia.The sound quality on this recording is variable/poor.This archive edition of...

Changing United Nations

27 Dec 1974

Contributed by Lukas

How the Third World has taken over the United Nations show – and how Alistair Cooke helped introduce the people's game of golf to Mother Russia.

TV news coverage, 1974

29 Nov 1974

Contributed by Lukas

America's relentless TV news coverage and why we should learn from history that ignorant bliss does not pay off.

Boston busing crisis, 1974

18 Oct 1974

Contributed by Lukas

How Judge W Arthur Garrity Jr's enforced busing policy, attempting to desegregate schooling, came up against its greatest challenge in South Boston.

Gerald Ford, the new man in the White House, 1974

23 Aug 1974

Contributed by Lukas

Campaign biographies, and some new revelations about President Gerald Ford's past come to light, including the fact he was christened Leslie King Juni...

Nixon's resignation speech, August 1974

16 Aug 1974

Contributed by Lukas

Disgraced President Nixon resigns. His resignation speech does not contain any sort of apology for his misconduct.This archive edition of Letter from ...

Nixon's resignation, 1974

09 Aug 1974

Contributed by Lukas

Downfall of a president – how Nixon fatally underestimated the power of the people versus the presidential powers he has just been forced to give up...

San Francisco: Detroit of the Pacific?

07 Jun 1974

Contributed by Lukas

The skyscrapers that shattered the myth of San Francisco as a special city; and why it's important to understand the Stockholm syndrome in the Patty H...

Duke Ellington

31 May 1974

Contributed by Lukas

Duke Ellington - remembering not just a great jazz musician, but an elegant, articulate man of unassailable natural dignity.

Corruption

10 May 1974

Contributed by Lukas

Avoiding corruption in politics, the temptations of advertising money, which can turn great actors into salesmen, and Earth Day's unexpected trash pro...

Nixon's tax returns go public

14 Dec 1973

Contributed by Lukas

Nixon makes past tax returns public to quell claims of tax evasion - but his minimal returns don't quite add up.This archive edition of Letter from Am...

Should Nixon resign?

09 Nov 1973

Contributed by Lukas

Why the American policy in the state of Israel is failing to keep the home fires burning; and why an embattled President Nixon has more to fear from f...