People
These influential artists, celebrities, leaders and scholars have shaped our world
The Demise of a Wooden Dinosaur
A Victorian-era naturalist thought he'd found a new kind of dinosaur, and he threw a fit when other naturalists disagreed
May 08, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
Events May 8-10: Carolyn Morrow Long, Encore Chorale Spring Concert, and The Unknown Aaron Burr
This week, get a book signed by New Orleans specialist Carolyn Morrow Long, enjoy a concert by the Encore Chorale, and discover the real Aaron Burr in a lecture by H.W. Brands.
May 07, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Khrushchev in Water Wings: On Mao, Humiliation and the Sino-Soviet Split
Angered by the way the Soviet Union treated him, Mao Zedong planned revenge on Nikita Khrushchev during the Soviet premier's 1958 visit to Beijing. Mao's weapon: a pool party.
May 04, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
Events May 4-6: Cool off with IMAX, Fly a kite at the Sackler and celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with Smithsonian
This weekend, view the spectacular journey of a polar bear and her cubs in IMAX, make your own Korean kite and join Smithsonian in kicking off the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration.
May 03, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
Document Deep Dive: How the Homestead Act Transformed America
Compare documents filed by the first and last homesteaders in the United States
May 2012 |
By T.A. Frail and Megan Gambino
Matt Groening Reveals the Location of the Real Springfield
Twenty-five years after The Simpsons made their TV debut, the show's creator talks about Homer's odyssey—and his own
May 2012 |
By Claudia De La Roca
Should LBJ Be Ranked Alongside Lincoln?
Robert Caro, the esteemed biographer of Lyndon Baines Johnson, talks on the Shakespearean life of the 36th president
May 2012 |
By Ron Rosenbaum
A Journey to Obama’s Kenya
The dusty village where Barack Obama’s father was raised had high hopes after his son was elected president. What has happened since then?
May 2012 |
By Joshua Hammer
Robben Island: A Monument to Courage
To visit the brutal prison that held Mandela is haunting, yet inspiring
May 2012 |
By Scott Johnson
Events May 1-3: Ripley Garden Tour, the Multi-colored Universe, and Roni Horn
This week, take a garden tour, discover the universe through cutting edge developments in X-ray telescopes, and meet acclaimed artist Roni Horn.
April 30, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Ai WeiWei’s Giant Animal Heads at the Hirshhorn Fountain
Chinese artist Ai WeiWei challenges ideas of authenticity with his reproduction of Qing dynasty zodiac animal heads, now on view at the Hirshhorn Museum.
April 26, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Events April 27-29: Insight into 20th-Century African American Art, Anacostia River & Jazz Fest, Gamer Symphony Orchestra
This weekend, get some insight into 20th-Century African American Art, Dance at the Anacostia River and Jazz Fest and hear the Gamer Symphony Orchestra perform arrangements of video game music.
April 26, 2012 |
By Kelly Smith
Futurism Is Still Influential, Despite Its Dark Side
What's so great about the curve-filled, machine-inspired art movement that burst on the scene in the early 20th century and owes a lot to Cubism? Certainly not its founders' politics
April 24, 2012 |
By Henry Adams
Amy Henderson: Satchmo at the National Press Club
Guest blogger and Portrait Gallery historian Amy Henderson discusses Louis Armstrong and the meaning of stardom
April 24, 2012 |
By Amy Henderson
Events April 24-26: the Genomics Revolution, Musicians from Marlboro, and Thomas Mobley
This week, discover new research on genetics, enjoy a performance from the Marlboro Music Festival's best young talent, and learn the elements that make a good film.
April 23, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Events April 20-22: Draw and Discover at Dusk, Welcome Discovery, Earth Day Party for the Planet
This weekend learn to draw at the American Art Museum, visit the space shuttle Discovery and celebrate Earth Day with the National Zoo.
April 19, 2012 |
By Kelly Smith
The Senator and the Gangsters
In the early 1950s, few Americans knew much about organized crime. But Sen. Estes Kefauver, a Democrat from Tennessee, changed that with a series of hearings that turned into a television extravaganza.
April 18, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Wading With Sauropods
Even before the Dinosaur Renaissance moved sauropods out of the swamps, paleontologists recognized that some of these dinosaurs were better suited to life on land
April 17, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
Rusty Hassan Talks About John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and Today’s Jazz Scene
Learn about the jazz legends who transformed American music.
April 14, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Events April 13-15: Visio-Disco, Royal Mail Ship Titanic Centennial, Insights into Coltrane and Hancock
This weekend, hit the dance floor at the Visio-Disco, learn about the Titanic’s on board postal service and celebrate Jazz History Month at Rhythm Cafe: Insights into Coltrane and Hancock.
April 12, 2012 |
By Kelly Smith
