Up First from NPR The Sunday Story: Off The Mark, an NPR investigation into America's historical markers
11 snips
Apr 21, 2024 
Laura Sullivan, NPR's investigations correspondent, sheds light on her year-long investigation into America's 180,000 historical markers. She reveals that many of these markers present distorted or fictionalized accounts of history, blending humor with serious inaccuracies. Sullivan examines the quirky claims linked to these markers, from ghost sightings to alien encounters, and highlights the struggles to rectify biased narratives, particularly regarding slavery and Native American perspectives. Her insights challenge us to rethink the stories we choose to honor in public spaces.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
COVID-19 Lockdown Inspiration
- Laura Sullivan became interested in historical markers during COVID-19 lockdowns.
- Driving around, she noticed some markers were interesting, random, or confusing, sparking her curiosity.
Fractured History
- Analysis of a crowdsourced historical marker database revealed a fractured and confused telling of American history.
- Markers often distort history with offensive lies, but also showcase curiosities, humor, and errors.
Conflicting Claims
- Multiple states make conflicting claims on historical markers, like three states claiming the first use of anesthesia.
- Kentucky and Missouri both claim Daniel Boone's bones, while Maryland and New Jersey claim the first telegram.