World History
Events December 14-16: Ai Weiwei’s Ceramics, Mayan Calendar and Stradivari’s Instruments
This weekend, learn about the contemporary artist's use of historic objects, why the world didn't end and just what's so special about Stradivari in concert
December 13, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Before the Civil War, There Were 8,000 Different Kinds of Money in the U.S.
It wasn't until after the war that the U.S. started to really use the dollar
December 12, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
How To Get an Ancient Lizard Named After You: Get Elected President
Simply get elected president, and you'll have a fair chance of some newly discovered creature inheriting your moniker
December 11, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Smithsonian Curators Offer Up a Holiday Gift Guide for History Lovers
The best of history reads from Lincoln's true thoughts on slavery, to the White House dinner that shocked a nation, to California's hip-hop scene
December 11, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Environmentalists Want To Keep Oil Platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Wait, What?
Oil companies want to pull their rigs from the Gulf, but environmentalists are saying "no"
December 10, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Hawai`i’s Troubadour of Aloha
An upcoming documentary will highlight Hawaiian ukulele-playing sensation Jake Shimabukuro, who performed for the Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Center
December 10, 2012 |
By Joann Stevens
It’s Been 40 Years Since Anyone Rode a Rocket to the Moon
Apollo 17 took off forty years ago today
December 07, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Remembering Dave Brubeck, Goodwill Ambassador
Joann Stevens remembers legendary jazz artist Dave Brubeck, who died Wednesday at age 91
December 06, 2012 |
By Joann Stevens
The Day Henry Clay Refused to Compromise
The Great Pacificator was adept at getting congressmen to reach agreements over slavery. But he was less accommodating when one of his own slaves sued him
December 06, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
The Kennedy Assassin Who Failed
Richard Paul Pavlick’s plan wasn’t very complicated, but it took an eagle-eyed postal worker to prevent a tragedy
December 06, 2012 |
By Dan Lewis
Besse Cooper, World’s Oldest Person, Passes Away
Born in 1896, Besse Cooper was came into a world that was vastly different than the one she just left
December 05, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Oldest Book Printed on American Soil To Go Up for Sale
A 372-year old book of psalms is set to go up for auction
December 05, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Video Games Are Officially Art, According to the MoMA
The Museum of Modern Art bought 14 video games last week to add to their permanent collection - making video games not just interesting anthropological artifacts, but also a form of art
December 03, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Tucker Was the 1940s Car of the Future
Visionary inventor
Preston Tucker risked everything when he saw his 1948 automobile as a vehicle for change
December 2012 |
By Abigail Tucker
1 Million Dollars Worth of Rare Dictionaries About to Go on Sale
On December 4, a collection of rare old dictionaries will go on auction at Bonhams in New York City
November 30, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
NYC Record: No One Shot, Stabbed or Slashed on Monday
It was a "nice way to start the week," says NYPD
November 29, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Crockford’s Club: How a Fishmonger Built a Gambling Hall and Bankrupted the British Aristocracy
A working-class Londoner operated the most exclusive gambling club the world has ever seen
November 29, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
Danilo Pérez, Creator of Musical Guardians of Peace
The Panamanian performer catches up with Joann Stevens before his Nov. 30 concert at the Kennedy Center
November 28, 2012 |
By Joann Stevens
Document Deep Dive: Rosa Parks’ Arrest Records
Read between the lines of the police report drawn up when the seamstress refused to give up her seat 57 years ago
November 28, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
