Editors' Picks
For 40 Years, This Russian Family Was Cut Off From All Human Contact, Unaware of World War II
In 1978, Soviet geologists prospecting in the wilds of Siberia discovered a family of six, lost in the taiga
Lost and Found Again: Photos of African-Americans on the Plains
What would otherwise be a local-interest story became a snapshot of history integral to the American experience
When Did Humans Come to the Americas?
Recent scientific findings date their arrival earlier than ever thought, sparking hot debate among archaeologists
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The inventor may have been brilliant, but his warped views on the future of the population reveals that in the end, he was still just human
November 16, 2012
| By Matt Novak
How an apparent misunderstanding led to a brawl that turned into a donnybrook that became a legend
November 15, 2012
| By Gilbert King
The author of a new book about Thomas Jefferson makes his case and defends his scholarship
November 14, 2012
| By Smithsonian.com
The personal humanoid robotic assistant easily makes the short list of retro-futuristic dreams still unfulfilled
November 13, 2012
| By Matt Novak
Held captive far longer than his surrender agreement called for, the Apache warrior made his case directly to the president
November 09, 2012
| By Gilbert King
Some people thought that once women were allowed to vote, men would soon lose that privilege
November 06, 2012
| By Matt Novak
In 1914, the Mexican rebel signed a contract with an American newsreel company that required him to fight for the cameras. Too good to be true? Not entirely
November 06, 2012
| By Mike Dash
Viewers got their first look at jetpacks as well as what actually happens on the ground beneath the Jetsons, and while it may not be zombies, it isn't pretty
November 05, 2012
| By Matt Novak
The 16th president has been a Hollywood star and box office attraction since the earliest days of Hollywood
November 2012
| By Jesse Rhodes
Fire can destroy in an instant—or burn for centuries
The famous author envisioned a brave new world where swelling populations would put tremendous strain on the Earth's resources
November 01, 2012
| By Matt Novak
The era of color-coded political parties is more recent than you might think
November 01, 2012
| By Jodi Enda
Their seances with the departed launched a mass religious movement—and then one of them confessed that "it was common delusion"
October 30, 2012
| By Karen Abbott
A camping trip to the moon might seem fanciful, but 1960s advertisers were already promoting space tourism
October 29, 2012
| By Matt Novak
Why was Goody Garlick, accused of witchcraft in 1658, spared the fate that would befall the women of Massachusetts decades later
October 26, 2012
| By John Hanc
Much to our chagrin, Rosey did not make it. But who did?
October 25, 2012
| By Matt Novak
In the fall of 1975 President Gerald Ford survived two assassination attempts and a car accident. Then his life got really complicated
October 25, 2012
| By Gilbert King
Campaigning for president 100 years ago, Roosevelt was spared almost certain death when 50 pieces of paper slowed an assailant’s bullet headed for his chest
November 2012
| By Patricia O'Toole
A new poem by George Green
November 2012
| By George Green
When the divinity scholar unveiled the papyrus fragment that she says refers to Jesus’ “wife,” our reporter was there in Rome amidst the firestorm of criticism
November 2012
| By Ariel Sabar
Blanchard was said to be afraid of riding in a carriage, but she became one of the great promoters of human flight
October 18, 2012
| By Gilbert King
How a makeshift show business memory aid became the centerpiece of modern political campaigning
October 23, 2012
| By Joseph Stromberg
George and Mr. Spacely sneak off to watch the big game, but are caught in the act by Jane on the family's super-sized television
October 22, 2012
| By Matt Novak
Steven Spielberg, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Tony Kushner talk about what it takes to wrestle an epic presidency into a feature film
November 2012
| By Roy Blount Jr.
The cure for lonely space missions? One astronomer proposed hiring astronaut concubines
October 18, 2012
| By Matt Novak
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National Treasures
The stories behind famous objects from the Smithsonian's collection
The stories behind famous objects from the Smithsonian's collection
The Tucker Was the 1940s Car of the Future
The World’s Most Famous Filing Cabinet
The Tacky History of the Pink Flamingo
View All National Treasures»
Document Deep Dives
A close look at documents that changed history
A close look at documents that changed history
Document Deep Dive: The Menu From President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Ball
Document Deep Dive: Emancipation Proclamation
