Editors' Picks
How to Save the Taj Mahal?
A debate rages over preserving the awe-inspiring, 350-year-old monument that now shows signs of distress from pollution and shoddy repairs
The Beer Archaeologist
By analyzing ancient pottery, Patrick McGovern is resurrecting the libations that fueled civilization
Samuel Morse's Reversal of Fortune
It wasn't until after he failed as an artist that Morse revolutionized communications by inventing the telegraph
Games
WordSmith
Test your knowledge on Smithsonian.com's crossword puzzle
Daily Sudoku
Play the addictive number placement puzzle
Revisiting The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
Recently reissued, William L. Shirer's seminal 1960 history of Nazi Germany is still important reading
February 2012
| By Ron Rosenbaum
A 1912 photograph proves explorer Captain Robert Scott reached the South Pole—but wasn't the first
January 2012
| By Victoria Olsen
Historian Amanda Foreman discusses how British citizens took part in the war between the Union and the Confederacy
December 09, 2011
| By Megan Gambino
The explorer of Dr. Livingstone-fame provides a classic character study of how willpower works
December 2011
| By Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney
Military history, memoir, and even a novelized series make this list of can’t-miss books about the Great War
November 10, 2011
| By Megan Gambino
Brought to Europe from the New World by Spanish explorers, the lowly potato gave rise to modern industrial agriculture
November 2011
| By Charles C. Mann
The historian discusses the ecological impact of Columbus’ landing in 1492 on both the Old World and the New World
October 05, 2011
| By Megan Gambino
By merging old photographs with new mapping technology, this site fuses new connections between the generations
August 31, 2011
| By Megan Gambino
From Barbie to cereal to a tattoo, a copyright lawsuit can get contentious; some have even reached the Supreme Court
June 22, 2011
| By Megan Gambino
The powerful quake and ensuing tsunami that struck Yokohama and Tokyo traumatized a nation and unleashed historic consequences
May 2011
| By Joshua Hammer
The label now has many meanings, but when the group protested 200 years ago, technology wasn't really the enemy
March 2011
| By Richard Conniff
Advertisement
Follow Us
 | |||||||
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| ||
AT THE SMITHSONIAN
Scenes and Sightings from the Museums
- Around the Mall
- Visitor's Guide
Weekend Events Feb 10-12: Mourning, The Power of Chocolate Festival, and the Emerson String Quartet
This weekend, go to the Iranian Film Festival, taste and learn why chocolate was called the "food of the gods" by the Aztecs and Mayans, and enjoy a p...
By Aviva Shen
How Much the Hope Diamond is Worth and Other Questions From Our Readers
From American art, history and culture, air and space technology, contemporary art, Asian art and any of the sciences from astronomy to zoology, we'll...
By Aviva Shen
Events Feb 7-9: Water Matters, Multiplicity, and Touki Bouki
This week, learn why water matters, take a guided tour of the American Art Museum's exhibition, Multiplicity, and enjoy a free film at the African Art...
By Aviva Shen
Smithsonian Videos
|
Behind the Scenes of the Smithsonian AppWhat does it take to bring the award-winning magazine to the iPad? |
|
Behind the Scenes at the World Orchid ConventionThe global orchid community convenes in Singapore to compete for the title of best in show |
|
Playing the Unplayable RecordsResearchers and scientists work together together to find a way to play recordings made by the studio of inventor Alexander Graham Bell |
|
Introducing Ask SmithsonianNow it's your turn to ask the Institution's experts your questions about science, history, art or culture |
|
Conserving the Jefferson BibleArchivists at the Smithsonian Institution detail the painstaking process of preserving the 200-year-old book |
View All Videos » |
|
Marketplace
|
Jefferson Bible
|
|
Window ShoppingGifts, Gadgets and Great Finds! |
Smithsonian Journeys
|
Private Jet Tours Explore some of the most treasured and legendary places on Earth, aboard our private aircrafts. |
