American History
The Historic Innovation of Land Mines—And Why We've Struggled to Get Rid of Them
A number of researchers are developing tools to defuse or detonate land mines without harming civilians
That Time the U.S. Government Won an Oscar
Today, the award is kept on permanent display in the National Archives
A Graduate Student Just Discovered a Lost Work of Fiction by Walt Whitman
The serialized novella was first published anonymously in 1852
Why Abraham Lincoln Was Revered in Mexico
As a young Congressman and later as the nation’s leader, the first Republican president proved to be a true friend to America’s neighbor to the south
Tootsie Rolls Were WWII Energy Bars
The candies were included in rations because they stayed fresh for a long time
The Everlasting, Awe-Inspiring Power of Alaska
For 150 years, Alaska has been a part of the United States, and it's never ceased to amaze
In the Footsteps of Three Modern American Prima Ballerinas
A new exhibition shows that classical ballet and the role of the ballerina are rapidly changing
Here’s How To Make the Margarita’s (Possible) Predecessor, the Daisy
This cocktail has its roots in the nineteenth century, and some of its first recipes are made with brandy, not tequila
President Trump Visits the African American History Museum
Museum director Lonnie Bunch and Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton led the president and his entourage on a tour of the new museum
The Inventors of Upcycling Published Their Manifesto In a Plastic Book. Why?
You might have heard the term in relation to crafting, but it means a lot more
The First Telephone Book Had Fifty Listings and No Numbers
It came out less than two years after Alexander Graham Bell invented the device
Old Particle Accelerator Tech Might Be Just What the Doctor Ordered
Shortages of important supplies for nuclear medicine has researchers looking for answers on how to produce technetium-99
The Statue of Liberty Was Once Patented
Reading the original patent documents can help us learn more about this history of this American icon
This Wooden Running Machine Was Your Fixie’s Great-Great Grandpa
The draisine was invented as a potential replacement for the horse during a shortage
The True Friendship That Saved Abraham Lincoln's Life
Before he was president, Lincoln's lasting relationship with Joshua Speed brought him out of the doldrums of despair
With Patents or Without, Black Inventors Reshaped American Industry
American slaves couldn't hold property, including patents on their own inventions. But that didn't stop black Americans from innovating in our country
Five Cool Finds From Google Arts & Culture's Presidents' Day Collection
The platform is sharing more than 2,000 items steeped in political history
The Pioneer of Graphic Adventure Games Was a Woman
Mystery House was the first home computer game ever to include graphics as well as text
Nick Offerman’s Character in “The Founder” Is Based on This Real Historical Figure
Richard “Dick” McDonald’s story in the film is true — to a degree
'9-1-1' Has Meant 'Help, Please' Since 1968
The first 911 call ever placed came from the small town of Haleyville, Alabama
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