World History
Unpack a Meal of Astronaut Space Food
Space-age spaghetti and meatballs, along with other tastes of home, gave Apollo astronaut crews a boost
June 2013 |
By Brett Martin
Ponce De Leon Never Searched for the Fountain of Youth
How did this myth about the Spanish explorer even get its start?
June 2013 |
By Matthew Shaer
The Rise and Fall and Rise of Zahi Hawass
The long-reigning king of Egyptian antiquities has been forced into exile—but he’s plotting a return
June 2013 |
By Joshua Hammer
The FBI Investigated the Song ‘Louie Louie’ for Two Years
The question apparently had to do with the lyrics of the song - which many find either confusing or simply impossible to understand
May 23, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Navy Dolphins Turn Up a Rare 19th-Century Torpedo
Called a Howell torpedo, the old military relic was a marvel in its day, and only 50 were ever made
May 21, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Olympic Rowers, King Tut Lessons and More Books to Read This Month
Also out in June: the math of life and the lives of astronauts’ wives
May 2013 |
By Chloë Schama
Events May 21-23: A WWII Fighter Pilot’s Tale, Asian Pacific American Culture and the Mississippi River
This week, attend a talk by a decorated WWII fighter pilot, explore a new American History Museum exhibition and learn how you can help the Mississippi River
May 20, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
How Edwin Hubble Became the 20th Century’s Greatest Astronomer
The young scientist demolished the old guard's ideas on the nature and size of the universe
May 20, 2013 |
By Gilbert King
Scientists Are Finding Clues to the Next Mega-Earthquake in One That Hit the West Coast in 1700
Researchers now know details of how the infamous earthquake of 1700 struck the West Coast
May 16, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Alex Trebek On Why ‘Jeopardy’ Represents the American Dream
Trebek stopped by the American History Museum to donate items from his show, along with soap star Susan Lucci and Barney-creators Kathy and Phil Parker
May 09, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Is It Time to Scrap the Manual on Mental Illness?
After 11 years of working on the new DSM, some are saying that it's time to retire the manual and think abut mental health entirely differently
May 07, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Hawaiian Musician Dennis Kamakahi Donates His Guitar
Slack Key guitar music sounds new notes for history of cowboys and the West in ceremony honoring the Hawaiian composer
May 07, 2013 |
By Joann Stevens
Celebrate the Kentucky Derby With Henry Clay’s Mint Julep Recipe
Sip one of Henry Clay's very own mint juleps or spoon down a bowl of burgoo, aka roadkill soup
May 03, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
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
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
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
