Humanities
Critical analysis and thought in the fields of history, law and philosophy
The Dead Woman Who Brought Down the Mayor
Vivian Gordon was a reputed prostitute and blackmailer—but her murder led to the downfall of New York Mayor Jimmy Walker
February 25, 2013 |
By Rachel Shteir
Scientific American in 1875: Eating Horse Meat Would Boost the Economy
Where did our aversion to horse meat come from, and why did Scientific American think we should eat it anyway?
February 25, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
A River Bend Community Set To Music: Gees Bend Jazz Symphony
Artists are making sweet music using history and museum collections as inspiration
February 25, 2013 |
By Joann Stevens
Could a Whale Accidentally Swallow You? It Is Possible
Whale sharks probably can't fit you down their esophagus, but mariners claim that sperm whales have swallowed people in the past
February 25, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Events February 26-28: A Garden Scavenger Hunt, Japanese Flute and Drums and Author Taylor Branch
This week, get active in Smithsonian's gardens, jam out to jazz on traditional Japanese instruments and meet the author of The King Years
February 25, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
VIDEO: The Show, Lincoln’s Washington at War, Depicts the Transformation of Washington
A new documentary from Smithsonian Channel looks at how the Civil War helped transform the city of Washington, D.C.
February 22, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Photo Interactive: The Civil War, Now in Living Color
How one author adds actual blues and grays to historic photographs
February 22, 2013 |
By Ryan R. Reed
Touch a Manatee, Spend Six Months in Jail
After posting several photos on Facebook of himself and his two young daughters playing with a baby manatee, a Florida man was arrested by the wildlife authorities
February 21, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Hunt for a New, Copyright-Free Happy Birthday Song
In the United States, "Happy Birthday to You"—one of the most popular songs in the world—is still under copyright. And it will be until 2030
February 21, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Eleanor Roosevelt and the Soviet Sniper
Lyudmila Pavlichenko was a Soviet sniper credited with 309 kills—and an advocate for women's rights. On a U.S. tour in 1942, she found a friend in the first lady.
February 21, 2013 |
By Gilbert King
Presenting the Real Harlem Shake
More than a goofy meme, the Harlem Shake is a dance with long roots
February 20, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Vilcabamba: Paradise Going Bad?
Life in this legendary town in Ecuador's Valley of Longevity may be too good—and too long—to be true
February 20, 2013 |
By Alastair Bland
Mississippi Officially Ratifies Amendment to Ban Slavery, 148 Years Late
The movie Lincoln helped kick Mississippi into action on finally ratifying the 13th Amendment
February 20, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Sneak Peek: Medical Marvels and Historical Oddities from the Collections
From Florida's infamous hanging chads and the magnifying glass used to inspect them to vanity eyeballs, American History curators brought the goods for 2013's Tweet Up
February 19, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The Fashion World Has No Excuse, But There’s a Good Reason Bill Cosby Wore Crazy Sweaters
The story behind Bill Cosby's sweaters has a lot more to do with television production than fashion
February 19, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
The History of the Flapper, Part 3: The Rectangular Silhouette
Finally, women could breathe deeply when the waist-nipping corset went out of style
February 19, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
Into the Cave of Chile’s Witches
Did members of a powerful society of warlocks actually murder their enemies and kidnap children?
February 19, 2013 |
By Mike Dash
Nuclear Bombs Made It Possible to Carbon Date Human Tissue
The fallout of the nuclear bomb era is still alive today - in our muscles
February 19, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Events February 15-17: Sketching Lessons, Arabian Jazz and Lincoln’s Dream
This week, indulge your creative side, hear Arab music, and meet a children's book author.
February 14, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
The Origins of Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve
Valentine's Day can be an occasion for quirky expressions of love
February 14, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
