History
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African-Americans Sent Thousands of Anti-Slavery Petitions in the 18th and 19th Century
The petitions lend insight into the lives of African Americans during this tumultuous period in U.S. history, and now they're being digitized for all to see
May 03, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
From the Civil War to Civil Rights: The Many Ways Asian Americans Have Shaped the Country
A new exhibit in time for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month highlights the long, diverse history of Asian Americans
May 03, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
For Perusing Pleasure, Zandra Rhodes’ New Online Fashion Archive
The honored Brit—50 years in the business—goes for the bold in her designer collections
May 02, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
Events May 3-5: American Civil Rights, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Interactive Robot Games
This weekend, tour America's shift towards equality, meet local Asian Pacific American writers and celebrate Children's Day
May 02, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
8 Famous People Who Missed the Lusitania
For one reason or another, these lucky souls never boarded the doomed ship whose sinking launched America's involvement in WWI
May 02, 2013 |
By Greg Daugherty
It’s Crazy to Move a Hundred-Year-Old Tree, But This One Is Thriving
There's controversy surrounding the oak's new home, but park or no park, the Ghirardi Oak is staying, and the transport seems to have been a success
May 01, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
The History of the Short-Lived Independent Republic of Florida
For a brief period in 1810, Florida was truly a country of its own
May 2013 |
By William C. Davis
Spotlight
The latest Smithsonian exhibitions showcase Civil War photography, Buddhist figures and Time magazine cover portraits
May 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
We Had No Idea What Alexander Graham Bell Sounded Like. Until Now
Smithsonian researchers used optical technology to play back the unplayable records
May 2013 |
By Charlotte Gray
The True Story of the Battle of Bunker Hill
Nathaniel Philbrick takes on one of the Revolutionary War’s most famous and least understood battles
May 2013 |
By Tony Horwitz
Starving Settlers in Jamestown Colony Resorted to Cannibalism
New archaeological evidence and forensic analysis reveals that a 14-year-old girl was cannibalized in desperation
May 01, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
What Happened to the Wizard of Oz Costumes and More Great Questions From our Readers
Apollo 11 souvenirs, Walt Whitman’s politics, and dinosaur DNA were among the subjects you wanted to know more about
May 2013 |
By Smithsonian magazine
How the Ford Motor Company Won a Battle and Lost Ground
Corporate violence against union organizers might have gone unrecorded—if it not for an enterprising news photographer
April 30, 2013 |
By Gilbert King
Decoding the Range: The Secret Language of Cattle Branding
Venture into the highly regulated and fascinating world of bovine pyroglyphics
April 30, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
How a Pizza Maker Revolutionized the Stunt-Kite-Flying World
First, let's establish the fact that there is something in the United States called the American Kitefliers Association. And there's something called competitive stunt kiting
April 26, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
The New $100 Bill Will Have Thousands of Tiny Lenses Built In
The $100 is the note most frequently targeted by counterfeiters
April 25, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Russia’s Cold War Plan to Reverse the Ocean and Melt the Arctic
A giant dam across the Pacific could re-route ocean currents and melt the Arctic, and the Soviets wanted to try
April 25, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Events April 26-28: Arbor Day, Expert Collectors and Classical Music
This weekend, plant a tree, learn about the art of craft collecting and listen to one of Haydn's masterpieces
April 25, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
How Do You Say ‘Star Wars’ In Navajo?
The Navajo Nation teamed up with Lucasfilm to translate the classic space opera
April 25, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Story of Elizabeth Keckley, Former-Slave-Turned-Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker
A talented seamstress and savvy businesswoman, she catered to Washington's socialites
April 24, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
