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Robert talks with Yale University History Professor Ron Butler, author of Becoming America: The Revolution Before 1776. Butler says even before the American Revolution, the colonies were really starting to develop the unique character of a modern nation. He contends that during the years 1680 to 1770, ordinary Americans were already becoming revolutionary, merely in how they went about their daily lives. Butler is the William Coe Professor of American Studies and History, and Professor of Religious Studies at Yale University.

Mary Ellen Mark is a celebrated photographer. Her most recent work is an askew shot of controversial Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker and Minnie Mouse in last week's New Yorker. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is currently featuring Mark's work in a major exhibit. Peter Clowney has a profile.

Host Bob Edwards talks to two members of the House, Democrat Shelley Berkley of Nevada and Republican Jack Quinn of New York, about what they heard from constituents back home over the July 4th holiday. Congresswoman Berkley and Congressman Quinn both say that the high costs of gasoline, healthcare insurance, and prescription drugs were among their constituents' greatest concerns.

Alan Cheuse reviews the book that won Italy's 1998 Elsa Morante Prize for a first novel: What We Don't Know about Children, by thirty-year-old Simona Vinci. It has been translated by Minna Procter and is just now published in English. (2:30) (What We Don't Know About Children is published by K

NPR's Ted Clark reports that President Clinton has announced a new Middle East summit with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barka and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The leaders will come to Washington to try to advance the stalled Middle East peace process. The announcement prompted another of Barak's coalition partners, Natan Shransky, to declare that he will resign from the government and take his small party out of the government.

Host Bob Edwards talks with Clair Orr, chairman of the Colorado State Board of Education, about a resolution encouraging public schools to display the national motto, In God We Trust. The State Board is expected to pass this non-binding resolution tomorrow.

Noah talks to Bill Kilpatrick, Zoologist at the University of Vermont, about the rising number of opossum sightings in Vermont. Possums are not equipped for cold weather. But each year more of these animals are showing up in Champlain. Kilpatrick believes global warming may have something to do with the animals' movement.

NPR's Gerry Hadden reports from Mexico City on the future of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. In wake of Sunday's defeat at the polls, many PRI supporters are trying to re-establish their party as a player in the new realm of Mexican politics. But others say the victory of the National Action Party's presidential candidate, Vicente Fox, could be the end of the PRI.

Leda Hartman reports on the 32nd annual Hollerin'Contest that was held recently in Spivey's Corner, North Carolina. The contest started as a fund-raiser for the volunteer fire department but has taken on life of its own. Before beepers and cell phones, hollerin' was an important way for rural folks to stay in touch.

Anne Sutton reports from western Alaska on the political debate that could determine whether a family is able to survive. Many families in rural Alaska live off of fish from the rivers, berries from the trees and game from the mountains. Some residents say subsisting off the land is a tradition that keeps them alive.