World History
How Much the Hope Diamond is Worth and Other Questions From Our Readers
From American art, history and culture, air and space technology, contemporary art, Asian art and any of the sciences from astronomy to zoology, we'll find an answer
February 07, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Nice Things to Say About Attila the Hun
How did the terrible Attila the Hun command so much loyalty—and why, in death, was he so mourned?
February 03, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
Clint Eastwood Honored at the American History Museum
The legendary actor and director presided over the opening of the museum's new state-of-the-art Warner Bros. Theater
February 03, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Weekend Events Feb 3-5: Under the Stars, Black History Month Family Day, and The Big Sleep
This weekend, explore the night sky at the Air and Space Museum, celebrate Black History Month at the American Art Museum, and watch The Big Sleep at the new Warner Brothers theater in the American History Museum.
February 02, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Celebrate Black History Month with the Smithsonian
From Kenyan storytelling performances to Black Power film screenings, February on the Mall is buzzing with Black History Month events.
February 01, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
The Top Five Most Anticipated Exhibits of 2012
Take a look at the five upcoming exhibits we're most excited about.
February 01, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
“Paradox of Liberty” Tells the Other Side of Jefferson’s Monticello
Presented by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, this exhibit looks at the iconic founding father through the eyes of his slaves.
January 31, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
The Most Terrible Polar Exploration Ever: Douglas Mawson’s Antarctic Journey
A century ago, Douglas Mawson saw his two companions die and found himself stranded in the midst of Antarctic blizzards. His epic three-week march to safety is one of the greatest survival stories in the history of polar exploration
January 27, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
Curators, Scientific Adventurers and Book Worms to Watch in 2012
Our top ten picks from the Smithsonian Twitterati and blogrolls.
January 20, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Historian Amy Henderson: Food, Glorious Food
At the Portrait Gallery, Historian Amy Henderson Awaits the Presentation of a New Portrait of Chef Alice Waters
January 18, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Diving for the Secrets of the Battle of the Atlantic
Off the coast of North Carolina lie dozens of shipwrecks, remainders of a forgotten theater of World War II
January 18, 2012 |
By Jim Morrison
The Stalking of the President
Charles J. Guiteau said he wanted to kill President James A. Garfield "in an American manner." He passed up several opportunities before he thought the time was right.
January 17, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Weekend Events January 13-15: Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday, To the Mountaintop and Native Dance
This weekend, celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr, honor his work with a reading of his most powerful speeches, and enjoy a pow-wow dance and drum performance by St. Labre Indian School students.
January 13, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
The Civil War in Black and White
A collection of historic front pages shows how civilians experienced and read about the war
January 10, 2012 |
By Jeanne Maglaty
How Samuel Morse Got His Big Idea
On this day in 1838, Samuel Morse publicly demonstrated his telegraph for the first time. But how did he get the idea in the first place?
January 06, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Weekend Events Jan 6-8: “This is Not a Film,” Stamps, Masterworks of Three Centuries
This weekend, watch an Iranian film, attend a stamp collecting workshop or listen to eclectic Baroque chamber music
January 05, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
The Prime Minister who Disappeared
In 1967, Harold Holt went for a swim off an Australian beach and never came back. By law, no official inquest could be held without a body. Soon the whispers of conspiracy began.
January 04, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
The Epic Struggle to Tunnel Under the Thames
No one had ever tunneled under a major river before Marc Brunel began a shaft below London's river in the 1820s
January 03, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
Weekend Events Dec. 30-Jan 1: Treasures at the Museum, Flights of Fancy, and Last Day of ZooLights
This New Year's weekend, meet a children's book author and archivist, come to aviation story time, and catch ZooLights before it's over
December 30, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Friends in the House, Hostility at Home
Coya Knutson won a seat in the U.S. House in 1954 but was undone by a secret she brought to Washington
December 29, 2011 |
By Gilbert King
