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History & Archaeology
Reading the Writing on Pompeii’s Walls
To better understand ancient Rome, one archaeologist looks at the graffiti, love notes and poetry alike, left behind by Pompeians
By Kristin Ohlson
History & Archaeology
The Curious London Legacy of Benedict Arnold
More than 200 years after his death, the most notorious traitor of the Revolutionary War has an unlikely supporter
By John Hanc
40th Anniversary
A Youth Renaissance for Native Americans
Filmmaker Chris Eyre says Native pride will embolden the next generation of first Americans
By Chris Eyre
40th Anniversary
A Spanish Breakthrough in Harnessing Solar Power
Solar technologies being pioneered in Spain show even greater promise for the United States
By Richard Covington
40th Anniversary
With Ancient Arches, the Old is New Again
An MIT professor shows how ancient architecture can be the basis for a more sustainable future
By Logan Ward
40th Anniversary
Listening to Bacteria
By studying microbial communications, Bonnie Bassler has come up with new ways to treat disease
By Natalie Angier
40th Anniversary
Can Nanotechnology Save Lives?
Harvard professor and scientific genius George Whitesides believes that nanotechnology will change medicine as we know it
By Michael Rosenwald
40th Anniversary
What's Next in Space?
Probes and landers sent into the final frontier will bring us closer to answering cosmic mysteries
By Mark Strauss
40th Anniversary
Jellyfish: The Next King of the Sea
As the world's oceans are degraded, will they be dominated by jellyfish?
By Abigail Tucker
40th Anniversary
The Changing Demographics of America
The United States population will expand by 100 million over the next 40 years. Is this a reason to worry?
By Joel Kotkin
40th Anniversary
Organs Made to Order
It won't be long before surgeons routinely install replacement body parts created in the laboratory
By Gretchen Vogel
40th Anniversary
Rising Seas Endanger Wetland Wildlife
For scientists in a remote corner of coastal North Carolina, ignoring global warming is not an option
By Abigail Tucker
40th Anniversary
Nine Historical Archives That Will Spill New Secrets
Declassified records and journals to be released in coming decades will shed new light on pivotal 20th-century figures and events
By Mark Strauss
40th Anniversary
James Cameron on the Future of Cinema
The director of Avatar and Terminator talks about future sequels, 3-D television and Hollywood in 2050
By Lorenza Muñoz
40th Anniversary
Charging Ahead With a New Electric Car
An entrepreneur hits the road with a new approach for an all-electric car that overcomes its biggest shortcoming
By Joshua Hammer
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Smithsonian Videos
Unearthing the History of the Potato
From the Americas to Europe then back again, there's more to the potato than meets the eyes
Henri Cartier-Bresson's With the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain
Filmed by the famous photographer during the Spanish Civil War, this clip debuted at the 2010 Orphan Film Symposium
Working With Orangutans
What makes human and orangutan brains different? Researchers at the National Zoo hope to find out by playing customized computer games with the savvy primates
Your Kind of Town
Marietta, Ohio
Modern yet delightfully old world…with a touch of good ole Appalachia!
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Smithsonian.com Feature
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Smithsonian magazine's 40th Anniversary IssueFor our special anniversary issue only, free interactive digital version at Zinio.com |
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CultureSpotter
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New at Viva MexicoExplore Mexico's history, people and art through a range of engaging essays in the all-new "Mexican Culture" section. |
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Travel & Adventure
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Enchanting Ireland: A Tour of the Emerald IsleDiscover Ireland's many charms on this intimate exploration of the Emerald Isle (Multiple departures) |
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Travel WireWe know travel is one of your passions, and we're here to help you pursue it. We've collected some of the best offerings from our most valued travel partners. |
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6th Annual Smithsonian Photo Contest Winners
Out of more than 17,000 entries contributed from around the world, Smithsonian and its readers select the year's best
Celebrating American Indian Heritage
Sitting Bull's legacy, Native American languages, a national list of events and more
15 Must-See Endangered Cultural Sites
Some of the world's most precious and historic sites can be visited today—but might be gone tomorrow
Women's History Month
Explore how powerful women have shaped American history, from our first ladies to our Navy cadets to acclaimed artists and writers
The Great Destinations of the World
From Rome to Cape Town to Vancouver, this guide to our favorite places explores ancient cultures, geologic marvels and urban meccas
The Magellanic Penguins of Punta Tombo
On a tiny peninsula in southern Argentina, nearly 400,000 penguins gather to breed and usher in a new generation of their species
What Is Your Dream Travel Destination?
Six extraordinary writers picked their dream travel assignments. Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world?
Your Kind of Town
What makes your city, suburb or small town special? Share a favorite memory or anecdote about your hometown
Object at Hand: Smithsonian.com's Favorite Things
As the magazine's Object at Hand column turns 20, we look back on some of the treasures inside the Smithsonian Institution
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