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For 40 Years, This Russian Family Was Cut Off From All Human Contact, Unaware of World War II
In 1978, Soviet geologists prospecting in the wilds of Siberia discovered a family of six, lost in the taiga
January 28, 2013 |
By Mike Dash
Time Capsule: A Peek Back to the Day When Elvis Made It Big
On this day in 1956, Elvis appeared on the CBS program, The Stage Show, to skeptical critics and enthused audiences
January 28, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Museums Delay Opening Due to Weather
Smithsonian museums in the Washington, D.C. area as well as the National Zoo will open at noon Monday, due to inclement weather
January 28, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
For Dogs, Max Is the New Spot, Even in New York City
In the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia, Max ranks as the number one name for male dogs
January 25, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Events January 25-27: Persian Drama, Inuit Face Tattoos and Schubert’s Fantasy
Friday, January 25: A Modest Reception Black comedy, handguns and huge bulging bags of money—three tantalizing teasers offered up in the intriguing trailer for the 2012 award-winning Persian film, A Modest Reception. The story opens on a couple from Tehran who hand out large sums of cash to the residents of an impoverished town and then documents their [...]
January 24, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Sonar Uncovers Amazing Photograph of Sunken Civil War Ship
The USS Hatteras, sunk 150 years ago, was discovered and photographed recently using 3D sonar
January 23, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Russian Government Once Funded a Scientist’s Quest To Make an Ape-Human Hybrid
In 1926, a famed Russian biologist was "hell-bent" on creating an ape-human hybrid
January 23, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Dungeons & Dragons Is So Classic It Now Has Its Own Digital Archive
Guides and books from the past 40 years of Dungeons and Dragons are to be preserved online
January 23, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Sweet Potato Genes Say Polynesians, Not Europeans, Spread the Tubers Across the Pacific
Sweet potato samples preserved in centuries-old herbariums indicate that Polynesian sailors, rather than Spanish or Portuguese explorers, introduced the now-ubiquitous yam across Southeast Asia and the Pacific
January 23, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Men Commit Scientific Fraud Much More Frequently Than Women
According to a new study, they're also much more likely to lie about their findings as they climb the academic ladder
January 23, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Everything Was Fake but Her Wealth
Ida Wood, who lived for decades as a recluse in a New York City hotel, would have taken her secrets to the grave—if here sister hadn't gotten there first
January 23, 2013 |
By Karen Abbott
Polaroid Portraits: Capturing President Obama's Second Inauguration
We sent photojournalist Tamir Kalifa to the inauguration to ask attendees why they came to the National Mall
January 23, 2013 |
By Tamir Kalifa
Events January 22-24: Persian Tile Lessons, Arts & Craft Beer and MLK Book Signing
This week, learn to be a Persian artist, get crafty in Renwick Gallery and pick up an illustrated copy of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s most famous speech
January 22, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
In Europe, These People Wouldn’t Be Allowed To Drive
A recent study found that drivers with blind spots were more likely to hit pedestrians and less able to respond to hazardous situations
January 21, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Inauguration Day 2013
All you need to know for the day: where to eat, rest and what to see
January 21, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
NASA’s Curiosity Team Gives Us a Geeky Reason To Go to the Inauguration Parade
Although the rover itself could not make the trip from Mars, a full-size model will roll in the parade alongside the real-life crew
January 18, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
“The Grave Looked So Miserable”
James Idle was only 19 when he became one of the earliest casualties of the First World War. But his senseless death inspired a lifetime of devotion from a 9-year-old girl who watched his funeral
January 18, 2013 |
By Mike Dash
That Time a Chicken Crashed Nixon’s Inaugural Ball and Other Crazy Inaugural Tales
Ten quirky moments from inaugural history, including presidential lassoing
January 18, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Dear Abby, America’s Favorite Advice Columnist, Dies at 94
Nearly 60 years ago, Pauline Phillips became Dear Abby, and her advice has since been read by tens of millions
January 17, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Events January 18-20: A Multicultural Festival, the Voices of Emancipation and the Smithsonian Staff’s Best Photos
This week, travel around the world in one museum, celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation and see the world through the Smithsonian staff's eyes
January 17, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
