People
These influential artists, celebrities, leaders and scholars have shaped our world
Events March 12-14: Missions to Mars, the Civil War in Art and a Meditation on Imaginary Landscapes
This week, meet the scientist behind the Mars rover, learn the civil war's influence on contemporary art and watch films by European media collective Flatland
March 11, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
The Secret Plot to Rescue Napoleon by Submarine
In 1820, one of Britain's most notorious criminals hatched a plan to rescue the emperor from exile on the Atlantic isle of St Helena -- but did he ever try it?
March 08, 2013 |
By Mike Dash
The (Natural) World, According to Our Photo Contest Finalists
From a caterpillar to the Milky Way, the ten finalists in the contest's Natural World category capture the peculiar, the remarkable and the sublime
March 07, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Events March 8-10: An Old School Southern Film, an International Women’s Day Celebration and a Classical Concert
This week, watch Bette Davis in the 1938 hit Jezebel, join performance art that honors African women and listen to one of the world's best pianos
March 07, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Snowy Day, But Smithsonian D.C. Museums Open, Zoo Closes
Bad weather threatens the metro area, but the Smithsonian museums Will Open, National Zoo is Closed
March 06, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Women’s History Month at the Smithsonian
From a Confederate spy to a deepwater researcher, women are everywhere and the Smithsonian is telling their stories
March 05, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The Greatest R&B Singer Who Never Existed
How the make-believe alter ego of an imaginative teen in the 1970s won him the fame he always dreamed of 40 years later
March 05, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Events March 5-7: Understanding Contemporary Art, Québec Microbrews and Lute Player Naseer Shamma
This week, learn how to interpret contemporary art, taste some Canadian microbrews and listen to one of the world's best flute players
March 04, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Transforming Raw Scientific Data Into Sculpture and Song
Artist Nathalie Miebach uses meteorological data to create 3D woven works of art and playable musical scores
March 01, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Jane Goodall Reveals Her Lifelong Fascination With…Plants?
After studying chimpanzees for decades, the celebrated scientist turns her penetrating gaze on another life-form
March 2013 |
By Jane Goodall
Events March 1-3: A thriller film, a Women’s Suffrage Festival and Influential African American Women
This week, see Nicole Kidman melt down, celebrate women's rights and learn about great African American women you've never heard of
February 28, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Snakes in a Frame: Mark Laita’s Stunning Photographs of Slithering Beasts
In his new book, Serpentine, Mark Laita captures the colors, textures and sinuous forms of a variety of snake species
February 26, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
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
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
Oscar Redux: Life is a Cabaret; An Old Friend is Back
For the 40th anniversary of the Oscars that made Cabaret a classic, actor Joel Grey stops by the Smithsonian for a special donation and screening
February 22, 2013 |
By Amy Henderson
The Story of How An Artist Created a Genetic Hybrid of Himself and a Petunia
Is it art? Or science? With DNA, Eduardo Kac pushes the limits of creativity and ethics
February 22, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
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
Interview: Jane Goodall on the Future of Plants and Chimps
The renowned chimp expert discusses her new book, her efforts to protect the rainforest and why she misses living with chimps
February 21, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Renwick, the Grand Dame of Washington, Is Slated for Rehab
The historic 1859 art gallery, which has served many other purposes in its lifetime will undergo a two-year renovation
February 20, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
