A Century of Heroes

Series produced by David Bear

Caption: PRX default Series image
PRX default Series image 

Hosted by Bear and Barbara Sieck Taylor, A Century of Heroes is a series of 100, 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

In the past century, nearly 9,000 individuals in the United States and Canada have been awarded the Carnegie Medal for acts of extraordinary courage and heroism by the Carnegie Hero Fund.

Established in 1904 by Pittsburgh-based philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Hero Fund’s 21-member commission reviews hundreds of heroic deeds each year and awards each winner the Carnegie Medal and, in many cases, on-going financial assistance.

News of a devastating mine explosion in Harwick, PA in January of 1904 and the deaths of two rescuers prompted Carnegie to develop the fund, in part to recognize, but also to compensate civilians who voluntarily placed themselves in harm’s way to save the life of another.

To celebrate its centennial year, the Pittsburgh-based fund has undertaken a variety of projects, including a radio series highlighting 100 accounts of these acts of everyday courage. The series, A Century of Heroes, was produced in association with WDUQ 90.5 FM Pittsburgh and David Bear, host of the radio series, The Traveler’s Journal.

Hosted by Bear and Barbara Sieck Taylor, A Century of Heroes is a series of 100, 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the fund’s archives.

Spanning a century of heroism and representing a broad range of individuals, these gripping, real-life accounts of selfless acts of courage are powerful, uplifting evocations of exceptional human behavior.

Underwritten in part by MSA, A Century of Heroes is offered at no cost via audio CD or downloadable electronic files to non-commercial radio stations across the US and Canada. The series is intended to air each weekday for 20 weeks, but the undated, evergreen programs can be aired in any schedule suitable to your station.
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In the past century, nearly 9,000 individuals in the United States and Canada have been awarded the Carnegie Medal for acts of extraordinary courage and heroism by the Carnegie Hero Fund. Established in 1904 by Pittsburgh-based philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Hero Fund’s 21-member commission reviews hundreds of heroic deeds each year and awards each winner the Carnegie Medal and, in many cases, on-going financial assistance. News of a devastating mine explosion in Harwick, PA in January of 1904 and the deaths of two rescuers prompted Carnegie to develop the fund, in part to recognize, but also to compensate civilians who voluntarily placed themselves in harm’s way to save the life of another. To celebrate its centennial year, the Pittsburgh-based fund has undertaken a... Show full description


20 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 11, 2005
  • Length: 07:43
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:43
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:45
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:44
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:43
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:46
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:45
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

Bought by WUAL


  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:42
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:49
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:46
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:44
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:46
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:45
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:45
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:45
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:47
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:46
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:42
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:45
Caption: PRX default Piece image
Five 90-second programs, each recounting a remarkable act of everyday courage drawn from the Carnegie Hero Fund archives.

  • Added: Feb 24, 2005
  • Length: 07:43