From storycorps.org: StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 30,000 interviews from more than 60,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
There’s a great deal of highly interesting material collected, and the importance of such a library cannot be measured or compared to anything. Some of the stories are very personal, and I sometimes find myself left with a sense of gratitude for being let in on the highlights of other people’s lives. This one here is a good example, it might make your eyes moist:

A world-wide version of StoryCorps would be beautiful.