Letter From America By Alistair Cooke: The Reagan Years (1981-1988)

Consortium's backing will aid new Argentine government's attempts to rebuild the country's floundering economy.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Cooke visits San Francisco, where he spent his honeymoon during the Alcatraz mutiny of 1946, and the destination of a recent visit by French President Mitterrand.

Senate fails to support suggested constitutional amendment which would have ushered in school prayers across the US.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Advertising slogan 'Where's the beef' is taken up by Democrats in the race for the presidential nomination.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

British government foils attempt by US millionaire Smiley Ratliff to buy his own Pacific island.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Astronaut Glenn comes down to earth after poor showing in first vote for Democrat presidential nominations.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Alistair Cooke examines the Indian roots of some American vocabulary and the variations between some American words and their English usage.

New Soviet leader Chernenko described as in poor health even as he assumes office.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

President Reagan announces he will join the race for a second term in the White House.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

As the race for the White House begins in earnest, would the Soviets prefer to deal with someone other than Reagan?This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Movie makers lose court action against home video taping. Supreme Court rules no copyright law has been infringed.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Reagan buddy Charles Wick, head of the US information agency, found to have made secret tape recordings of phone calls.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Rev Jesse Jackson persuades Syrians to release captured US soldier after official channels fail.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Opinion polls reveal the American public's fears over inflation, unemployment, the corporate and governmental use of new technology and an imminent nuclear war with the USSR.

The American contributions to NORAID, a fund set up to fund arms and provide financial assistance to IRA members in jail, and the aftermath of the Harrods bombing.

US hopes of new talks follow installation of Argentina's first democratically-elected president, Alfonsin.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Old soldier wanted to be buried where his band of brothers met up with the Russians in 1945 - when they were our allies.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

The Day After, a television movie depicting the effect of a nuclear attack on Kansas City, and the anticipation of and reaction to the first screening of it in November 1983.

Anxiety after Grenada invasion as it becomes clear that US forces are now thinly stretched across the globe.This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

Rosa Parks' refusal to recognise segregation, the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955, and the passing of a bill to recognise Martin Luther King Jr Day as a national holiday.