American History
Why Experts are Almost Always Wrong
No one, not even the experts, really knows what's about to happen.
July 31, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Amelia Earhart, Fashionista
A few highlights of coverage celebrating Amelia Earhart's 115th birthday.
July 24, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Today’s the Shared Anniversary of Ruin Porn Poster Children Detroit, Machu Picchu
July 24th marks double jackpot for the intrepid explorers of years past as well for as fans of the latest photographic trend, "ruin porn."
July 24, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes with “Parks and Rec” at the Smithsonian
Amy Poehler and Adam Scott talk about filming at the Smithsonian and around D.C. for NBC's Parks and Recreation
July 20, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Here’s What Nixon Would Have Said If Apollo 11 Hadn't Returned
Forty three years ago today, the crew of Apollo 11 set down on the surface of the Moon. In the event that things had gone horribly wrong, Safire had a speech ready for then-President Nixon
July 20, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Six Guys Stood At Nuclear Ground Zero And Lived To Tell The Tale
In 1957, five Air Force officers volunteered (and one cameraman was voluntold) to stand directly below a mid-air detonation of a 2-kiloton nuclear warhead.
July 19, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Five Things Leslie Knope Should See at the Smithsonian
As NBC's "Parks and Recreation" prepares to shoot its season five opener in D.C., we offer up five must-sees for the newest city councilmember of Pawnee, Indiana
July 17, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Events July 13-15: After Hours at the Museum of African Art, Cranes and Clouds, “Don Juan” Screening
This weekend, hit up the Museum of African Art after hours, create Korean art and view a screening of "Don Juan."
July 12, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
For Coal Miners, Back to Black Lungs
Though Congress promised back in 1969 that mines would clean up their act, the miner's bane seems to be back in Appalachia's coal mines. Black lung has returned to the scene.
July 11, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Smithsonian Gets Google Mapped
Smithsonian and Google Maps launched an easy to use application Tuesday providing step by step directions inside 17 museums and the National Zoo.
July 11, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Fifty Years Ago, Lyndon Johnson Answered the First Satellite Phone Call
Telstar 1, which launched into orbit 50 years ago today, was the world's first commercial satellite, and a testament to international, and government-industry, cooperation.
July 10, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Why Store-Bought Popsicles Drip Less
Just in time for another scorching July day, the history of the modern popsicle - and why the store-bought ones are less drippy than the DIY kind.
July 09, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
This One Beautiful Video Sums Up All of Space Shuttle History
This weekend marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis for STS-135, the final Shuttle mission, and artist McLean Fanestock 's video Grand Finale 2010-11 brings the Shuttles' 30 year tenure together by simultaneously displaying all 135 flights, from 1981 right on through to 2011.
July 09, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
It’s a Small World After All: “Six Degrees of Peggy Bacon”
“Six Degrees of Peggy Bacon” shows how one relatively unknown but well-connected artist was linked to many of art and society’s most influential people.
July 06, 2012 |
By Kat J. McAlpine
When Russia Colonized California: Celebrating 200 Years of Fort Ross
A piece of history on the Pacific Coast was almost lost to budget cuts, until a Russian billionaire stepped in to save the endangered state park
July 06, 2012 |
By Amy Crawford
North Carolina Rep Pushes Wrong Button and Approves Fracking in the State
Fracking can go ahead in North Carolina, all because one tired legislator pushed the wrong button.
July 05, 2012 |
By Sarah Laskow
17 Minutes of Fireworks Go Off in 15 Seconds
Yesterday, in the San Diego Bay, a fireworks show meant to last 17 minutes went off in 15 seconds.
July 05, 2012 |
By Sarah Laskow
Why We Set Off Fireworks on the Fourth of July
Why do we set off fireworks on the 4th of July? Because we always have.
July 04, 2012 |
By Sarah Laskow
‘Little House on the Prairie’ Author’s Autobiography Published for First Time Ever
Fangirls and boys of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie series know that the "fictional" account of the frontier life of a little girl named "Laura" is at least somewhat based on reality. But next summer, they will be able to find out if truth is better than fiction: for the first time, the author's autobiography "Pioneer Girl" will be published.
July 03, 2012 |
By Sarah Laskow
Vintage Summer Tips From the U.S. Government: “Overeating Is Overheating”
In the early 1940s, in the years after the country had entered World War II, the American government had a particular interest in keeping workers on the job.
July 03, 2012 |
By Sarah Laskow
