Culture

Counting down to midnight in the last seconds of Dec. 31 is a modern phenomenon.

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak.

For many people from former Soviet countries, New Year's is a big holiday feast time. A Ukrainian restaurant in Washington gives NPR a taste of what's on the menu.

Each year, critic Linda Holmes looks back on the year and compiles a list of the things that brought her joy.

One of the earliest mentions of New Year's resolutions appeared in a Boston newspaper in 1813. But the practice itself can be traced back to the Babylonians.

Every year, we remember some of the writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and performers who died over the past year, and whose lifetime of creative work helped shape our world.

Kind is the announcer and host sidekick on the Netflix show Everybody's Live with John Mulaney. "You must understand — it's anarchy," he says of the show. Originally broadcast April 4, 2025.

Critic Kevin Whitehead reflects on the jazz notables who died this year, including Sheila Jordan, Andy Bey, Ray Drummond, Bunky Green, Chuck Mangione, Eddie Palmieri and Jim McNeely.

Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71. Whitlock played the corrupt state Sen. Clay Davis on "The Wire." He also appeared in several Spike Lee films, including "25th Hour" and "BlacKkKlansman."

The Kennedy Center is ending the year with a new round of artists saying they are canceling scheduled performances after President Donald Trump's name was added to the facility.