American History
PHOTOS: Paraphernalia from the Political Campaigns of Yore
The great American pastime of politics and posturing has deep roots, but have we become more or less civil?
Relive the 1940s Through These Old Color Photographs
The Library of Congress has more than 1600 color photos of WWII-era America
Five Epic Patent Wars That Don’t Involve Apple
The recent Apple patent decision was a big one, but here are some historical patent wars you might not have heard of
Cadillacs, 110 Years and Going…Biking?
A staple in the collections, Cadillac marks its 110-year anniversary today as the company looks to branch out and go biking
Document Deep Dive: What Did the Zimmermann Telegram Say?
See how British cryptologists cracked the coded message that propelled the United States into World War I
Comic Phyllis Diller, the Betty Friedan of Comedy, Dies at 95
A collection of the standup comic's jokes, costumes and even her signature prop–the cigarette holder–reside at the American History Museum
Today We Celebrate the Short, Unhappy Life of H.P. Lovecraft
"Weird fiction" fans toast today to the birth of Howard Phillips Lovecraft, aka H.P. Lovecraft
Better, Faster, Taller – How Big can Buildings Really Get?
The race for the tallest structure in the world has been with us since humans built structures, and today it is going strong. But where's the limit?
There Is No Such Thing As “The” United States Constitution
"There is no unique, tangible, singular, definitive Constitution," says information scientist Joe Janes
Julia Child Loved Science but Would Hate Today’s Food
It's her birthday today, and while the master chef loved science she would have hated today's laboratory produced food
Happy 100th Birthday, Julia Child!
Child's kitchen is back at the American History Museum in time for what would have been her 100th birthday
Celebrate Julia Child’s 100th Birthday with the Smithsonian
The American History Museum has a full day of screenings, book signings and special events for the famous chef's birthday
How Lincoln’s Assassination Launched the Funeral Industry
The doctor who embalmed Abraham Lincoln changed the way Americans think about funerals.
Events August 14-17: Green Jobs, Julia Child’s 100th Birthday and Live Jazz
This week at the Smithsonian, learn about emerging green jobs, celebrate Julia Child's birthday and unwind with a tribute to Thelonious Monk
Why People Won’t Leave the Town that Has Been On Fire for Fifty Years
For the residents of Centralia, Pennsylvania, the fire that has been burning beneath their town for fifty years is part of what makes it home.
Meet the First Woman to Referee an NFL Game
Shannon Eastin, the first woman to ever referee an NFL game, got her stripes last night.
The History of the Exclamation Point
Everyone likes to complain that we're using too many exclamation points these days. Here's where the punctuation came from.
Archaeologists Discover 1000-Year Old Hyper-Caffeinated Tea in Illinois
Unearthed from a site near modern day St. Louis, Missouri, archaeologists found tea residue in pottery beakers that dates back to as early as 1050 A.D.
Iconic American Buffalo are Actually Part Cow
Though plains bison are icons of America's cowboy past and rugged West, research findings show that most of the buffalo have cow ancestors from the 1800s
Old School Games Make a Comeback – How Arcades and Rubik’s Cubes Are Becoming Cool Again
In Brooklyn, you can drink beer while you do just about anything at some themed bar. Shuffleboard, darts, pool, mini-golf, horror movies, steampunk, old school arcade games; you name it and you can find it. And now the hipsters have an unlikely ally: Rubik’s cube obsessives. Together, this not-so-odd couple is bringing back the games [...]
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