Santa Claus or Father Christmas? The origin of the Patron saint of Christmas is explored. Plus, the surprising popularity of a Tickle Me Elmo toy has caused prices to skyrocket.

A history of Father Christmas

A tribute to Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former leader of the UN General Assembly, whose peacekeeping skills were put to the test during the Rwandan Genocide.

UN Leader Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Madeleine Albright becomes the first Secretary of State in America, and investigations reveal a possible chemical cause of Gulf War Syndrome.

Gulf War Syndrome 

Cults of California, tolerance in San Francisco, and the permissive parenting backlash are discussed by Alistair Cooke in this week's Letter From America.

Permissive California

From California, Alistair Cooke examines the un-politicised institution of Thanksgiving and the changing face of US politics.

Thanksgiving in California

After public revelations of cases of sexual violence in the US Army and Navy Alistair Cooke examines the scandal of the sexual harassment of women in America's armed forces.

Sexual harassment in the armed forces

US intervention in the Rwandan refugee crisis and the history of President Clinton's press conferences.

US intervention in Rwanda

The results of the presidential elections and how technology is turning busy television studios into silent cathedrals, as discussed by Alistair Cooke.

The 1996 presidential election

The history Halloween, the origin of the vampire myth and the roaring business performed by pumpkin farmers during the month of October.

Halloween, 1996

A season of disaster, forest fires, tornadoes, earthquakes and leads to a recollection of a vast storm in 1938 which descended on the Northern Atlantic coast.

Forest fires, tornadoes and earthquakes

Alistair Cooke on Bill Clinton’s first term. The Israeli-Palestinian Oslo accords, gays in the military, the North American Free Trade Agreement and attempted healthcare reform.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The Clinton Years (1993-1996)

An explosion in the basement of the World Trade Centre, the resultant shock and speculation and the remarkable calm of people temporarily trapped inside the building.

World Trade Centre basement explosion

The Whitewater investigation, the reaction to Hilary Clinton's controversial financial dealings and the workings of the commodities market are explained by Alistair Cooke.

Whitewater

Clinton's desire for a stronger relationship with Germany, the history of Haiti and the latest developments in the OJ Simpson case are mulled over by Alistair Cooke.

Haiti

An attempt by the Ancient Order of Hibernians to ban the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organisation from New York's St. Patrick's Day parade is examined by Alistair Cooke.

The Irish in New York City

Unceasing rumours surrounding the OJ Simpson trial make Alistair Cooke reflect on the American desire to know the verdict before hearing the facts.

OJ Simpson trial

Barry Goldwater

Former Senator Barry Goldwater, the speech that won Ronald Reagan the Governorship of California and the state of the Republican Party in 1994 are assessed by Alistair Cooke.

Barry Goldwater, and Reagan's speech

Yeltsin and Clinton meet in Vancouver and Alistair Cooke considers the eventful history of US-Russia summits and what purpose they serve after the Cold War.

The history of US-Russia summits

The TWA Flight 800 crash and the media coverage of the accident, the casino life of the financial markets and Bob Dole's reluctance to embrace the 1990s.

The TWA Flight 800 crash

Senator Edward Kennedy and Mitt Romney's televised debate before the 1994 Congressional elections provides an opportunity to discuss the history of the Kennedy family.

The Kennedy Family

The ramifications of President Clinton's attempt to introduce 'sin taxes' on alcohol and tobacco.

President Clinton's alcohol and tobacco taxes

As O J Simpson's civil trial begins Alistair Cooke considers what can be gained from a civil suit and examines the differences in the way the new trial is being run.

OJ Simpson's civil trial

During the week of Martin Luther King's birthday holiday, Cooke remembers his 1956 visit to meet with people from both sides of the Montgomery bus boycott prompted by Rosa Parks.

Montgomery bus boycott

Timothy Leary

The death of Timothy Leary, the impact of LSD in the 1960s, and the need for each generation to rebel against the one before, as chronicled by Alistair Cooke.

Timothy Leary (1920 -1996)

How do Americans feel about the OJ Simpson trial following the delivery of the verdict in October 1995?

The OJ Simpson verdict, 1995

Tennis player Goran Ivaniševic's demand to be recognised as Croatian, the escalating failure of US foreign policy in Bosnia and a puzzling missile attack on Baghdad.

US foreign policy in Bosnia

The possibility of the US sliding back into economic depression and the ramifications of Clinton's military spending cuts in California.

Economic recession and military spending cuts

A mass shooting on a Long Island commuter train, the OJ Simpson trial and the litigation involved in becoming a US citizen lead Cooke to discuss the legal process in America.

OJ Simpson and the legal process, 1994

The FBI's powers, the need for "community policing", and the history of protest at UC Berkley are discussed by Alistair Cooke following a riot in Harlem Heights.

Community policing, protest and riots

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