American History
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
Sandy Unearths Skeleton on New Haven Green
Hurricane Sandy delivered a gruesome mystery, just in time for Halloween
October 31, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
A Tale of Two Screams: Which Stock Horror Scream is Better?
Often, screams in horror movies come from stock files. Chances are, they're one of two stock screams: the Wilhelm or the Howie
October 31, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Candy From Halloween’s Past
From candy's lackluster beginnings to the Halloween boom, Smithsonian shares some tricks and treats
October 30, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Events Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Empires, Spooky Stories and American Artists
This week, a look at changing relationships with Latin America, Halloween stories and the rise of the late William H. Johnson
October 30, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Top Ten Most Damaging U.S. Hurricanes
Surprisingly, Hurricane Katrina is not the most damaging storm on record
October 29, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Before Salem, There Was the Not-So-Wicked Witch of the Hamptons
Why was Goody Garlick, accused of witchcraft in 1658, spared the fate that would befall the women of Massachusetts decades later
October 26, 2012 |
By John Hanc
Sneak Peek at “FOOD: Transforming the American Table, 1950-2000″
Set to open Nov. 20, the new exhibit explores the diversity and development of American food cultures
October 25, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
PHOTOS: Stanley on the Move
The little car that could, the driverless vehicle made its way from the American History Museum to the Air and Space Museum Wednesday morning
October 24, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Q&A: Joe Bataan, The King of Latin Soul
Mixing soul music with cultural pride in hits like "Ordinary Guy" and "Gypsy Woman," Joe Bataan speaks to the times and to the generations
October 24, 2012 |
By Joann Stevens
Robot Car Stanley is on the Move
The driverless car that made history navigating 132 miles in the desert heads across the Mall to the Air and Space Museum for a new exhibit
October 23, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
A Brief History of the Teleprompter
How a makeshift show business memory aid became the centerpiece of modern political campaigning
October 23, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
In 2012 Election, Gender Gap Is As Wide As It’s Ever Been
Men and women haven't agreed in three elections: 1996, 2000 and 2004
October 22, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Two Pillars of Skepticism—Leon Jaroff and Paul Kurtz—Died This Weekend
Leon Jaroff and Paul Kurtz both died this weekend. Together, the two men represent some of the founding ideas of the modern skeptic community
October 22, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Don’t Waste Your Best Ideas on Focus Groups
The best ideas would do terribly in focus groups, says designer Gianfranco Zaccai, because people don't know that they're going to like new things
October 19, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
1950s Game Show Guest Had a Secret: He Saw Lincoln’s Assassination
A 5-year old Samuel J. Seymour saw Lincoln's assassination, lived to talk about it on a 1956 game show
October 19, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The History of Trick Or Treating Is Weirder Than You Thought
It's almost that time of year when underaged kids get into costume and traipse around the neighborhood ringing doorbells and begging for treats
October 18, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Events October 19-21: Star Music, Hollywood’s Gettysburg and Día de los Muertos
Hear from an astrophysicist who danced her PhD thesis, watch a classic Civil War film and start celebrating Day of the Dead a little early
October 18, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
161 Years Ago Today Ahab First Battled the White Whale, and Critics Hated It
Today marks the 161st anniversary of Moby Dick, the epic seafaring tale by Herman Melville, and Google is celebrating with its own Doodle
October 18, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Joann Stevens: Arts Righting History
Japanese singer-dancer Nobuko Miyamoto will speak about her role in making a place for Asian Americans in music October 19th
October 17, 2012 |
By Joann Stevens
