Dec 26th, 2008 · President Theodore Roosevelt caused a national incident in 1901 when he invited Booker T. Washington to the White House. Washington became the first African American to be a guest at a White House dinner. More than 100 years later, the first African American president and his family will move into the White House in January.
Dec 16th, 2008 · In Jan. 1958 — more than a decade after Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier — Willie O'Ree became the first black player in the National Hockey League. Now, 50 years later, he is the Director of Youth Development for the NHL's Diversity program.
Dec 5th, 2008 · The border fence between Eagle Pass, Texas, and Piedras Negras, Mexico, is forging a physical barrier between towns where culture and economy are closely related. The fence, which has met strong opposition from the mayor of Eagle Pass, has strained relations between the towns.
Dec 1st, 2008 · Just as the 2008 presidential election exposed and ultimately crossed gender, racial and generational barriers, many of the year's notable recordings explored and wrestled with different kinds of boundaries — some musical, some cultural, and some almost unimaginable if not for the power of music.
Nov 25th, 2008 · A Miami judge rules that there is no rational, scientific or moral reason that sexual orientation should be a barrier to adopting children, finalizing the adoption of two siblings by their gay foster father.
Oct 19th, 2008 · The financial crisis stands to have a significant impact on poorer nations that are largely dependent on foreign aid. Instead of cash contributions, one expert says that other means, such as lowering trade barriers, could be a feasible solution.
Sep 22nd, 2008 · Barack Obama has already broken countless racial barriers in his historic run for America's highest office. In this installment of the "This American Moment" series, Randall Kennedy talks about what it would mean if Obama lost the election.
Sep 17th, 2008 · With just a few weeks until election day, volunteers from both major parties are making great efforts to get people registered and ready to vote. But despite the push, concerns remain that many potential voters may be disenfranchised by accessibility, local laws and red tape. Kay Cole James, a Republican advocate of election reform; Maria Teresa Petersen, executive director of Voto Latino; and Civil Rights lawyer Jonah Goldman discuss barriers that could possibly keep people from the polls and what can be done to ensure a fair election.