If in doubt, find an anniversary! Alistair Cooke remembers when the centenary of Queen Victoria receiving the Koh-I-Noor diamond helped him out of a tricky situation.

Alistair Cooke examines why it is so difficult to establish democracy in Iraq.

Alistair Cooke looks back at the history of Thanksgiving in the light of modern concerns about healthy eating.

Alistair Cooke compares tariffs set on Chinese imports with similar attempts to protect America's home economy with the Smoot-Hawley Tariff during the great depression.

In anticipation of George Bush's visit to Europe, Alistair Cooke examines how the announcement of casualty numbers influences the public's appetite for war.

Alistair Cooke celebrates the architectural achievements of Stanford White, amongst them Madison Square Gardens.

Forty years on Alistair Cooke examines the knock on effect of the destruction of the original Pennsylvania Station.

Alistair Cooke examines the Pledge of Allegiance and its role in an increasingly secular society.

Alistair Cooke was unable to give his talk. In this repeat, from October 1998, Alistair Cooke muses on curious linguistic differences between America and England.

Alistair Cooke contemplates the result of the Californian Election and Arnold Schwarzenegger's role as governor.