American History
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
One of the First Maps to Include “America” Found in Old Geometry Book
Tucked away in a geometry book at the Munich University Library, researchers found a 500-year old map of the new world, and one of the first to bear the name America.
July 03, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Chimps Celebrate the End of a Research Era
For 30 years, countless chimps have lived out their days at Bioqual, a research facility where the Humane Society described treatment of some animals as “unethical.” Now, the last four chimps living at Bioqual are bidding goodbye to the facility, thanks in part to a recent report calling most chimp research unnecessary. The Washington Post [...]
July 02, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Events July 3-5: Flag Folding, Celebrate the Fourth, Explore the Heirloom Garden
Kick off the Fourth of July celebration this week with flag folding, a concert and a tour of the Heirloom Garden.
July 02, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
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
The Collections of the African American History and Culture Museum Await Their New Home
Objects from Muhammad Ali's headgear to Nat Turner's Bible sit in a holding facility in Maryland, ready to be put on display
July 2012 |
By G. Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
Insider Tips for the Tourists in Town
Think you know all of the cool sights on the Mall? We bet you'll find these insider tips from the Institution helpful this tourist season.
June 29, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
What If the Founding Fathers Had Known About Voltron?
Olly Moss, a UK-based graphic designer, riffs on Benjamin Franklin's 1754 political cartoon, "Join, or Die."
June 29, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
