National Treasures
How Two Women Ended the Deadly Feather Trade
100 years ago, birds like the snowy egret were on the brink of extinction, all because of their sought-after plumage
March 2013 |
By William Souder
The Tucker Was the 1940s Car of the Future
Visionary inventor
Preston Tucker risked everything when he saw his 1948 automobile as a vehicle for change
December 2012 |
By Abigail Tucker
The Speech That Saved Teddy Roosevelt’s Life
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
The World’s Most Famous Filing Cabinet
After Daniel Ellsberg leaked the Pentagon Papers, the notorious Plumbers broke into his psychiatrist’s office, looking for a way to discredit him
October 2012 |
By Owen Edwards
The Tacky History of the Pink Flamingo
From its start in Massachusetts, of all places, to its inspiration of a John Waters film, the lawn ornament has some staying power
September 2012 |
By Abigail Tucker
Why Are Jim Thorpe’s Olympic Records Still Not Recognized?
100 years ago, Jim Thorpe became the greatest American Olympian of all time, but not if you ask the IOC
July 2012 |
By Sally Jenkins
Julia Child's Recipe for a Thoroughly Modern Marriage
Food writer Ruth Reichl looks at the impact of the famous chef's partnership with her husband Paul
June 2012 |
By Ruth Reichl
Kelly Slater, the Chairman of the Board
An ode to surfing’s fiercest, most successful competitor – who now has a place in the Smithsonian collections
May 2012 |
By Owen Edwards
Roberto Clemente: The King of Béisbol
Forty years ago, the sports superstar and humanitarian transcended baseball's borders
April 2012 |
By David Maraniss
How the Polaroid Stormed the Photographic World
Edwin Land's camera, the SX-70, perfected the art of instant gratification
March 2012 |
By Owen Edwards
How One Mummy Came to the Smithsonian
An American diplomat’s memento takes center stage after 125 years
February 2012 |
By Owen Edwards
How Thomas Jefferson Created His Own Bible
Thanks to an extensive restoration process, the public can now see how Jefferson created his own version of the Scripture
January 2012 |
By Owen Edwards
Gettysburg Address Displayed at Smithsonian
Lincoln's timeless speech during the Civil War endures as a national treasure
December 2008 |
By Owen Edwards
Spirals of History
Hand-carved elephant tusks tell the story of life in the Congolese colonies of the late 1800s
April 2008 |
By Owen Edwards
Breuer Chair, 1926
Marcel Breuer's Bauhaus minimalism redefined a household basic
February 2008 |
By Owen Edwards
Chia Pet
For 26 years, marketing whiz Joe Pedott's green-pelted figures have been holiday-season hits
December 2007 |
By Owen Edwards
