World History
The Many Contributions of Steve Jobs (1955-2011)
The extraordinary career of the entrepreneur is chronicled in the Smithsonian collections
October 06, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
In Search of Queen Victoria’s Voice
The British monarch was present when a solicitor demonstrated one of the earliest audio recording devices. But did she really say "tomatoes"?
October 06, 2011 |
By Mike Dash
The Civil War 150 Years: The Washington Eight
After plotting to kill Lincoln and other Union leaders, a group of Confederate conspirators was put on trial
October 04, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Anger and Anarchy on Wall Street
In the early 20th century, resentment at the concentration of wealth took a violent turn
October 04, 2011 |
By Gilbert King
Six Secrets of Polonium
This rare and dangerous element, discovered by Marie Curie, is found in cigarettes and was used to poison an ex-KGB agent
October 03, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Events Oct. 3-6: Butterfly Pavilion, Quiltmaking Demonstration, America in Black and White and African Drumming
This week, see exotic insects, learn a new craft, be part of a thought-provoking discussion on race and join a drum circle
October 03, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Weekend Events Sept. 30 – Oct. 2: Treasures at the Museum, Columbus Day Legacy, and Portrait Discovery
This weekend, get a book autographed, see a thought-provoking documentary, and see the Portrait Gallery in a whole new way
September 29, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The List: Medical Innovations at the Smithsonian
On the anniversary of the legendary discovery of polio, take a tour of the most significant medical inventions in history
September 28, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Long Live the King
A single gunshot rang out in the king of Siam's bedroom in June 1946, ending one reign and beginning another. Uncertainty over how it happened has persisted ever since
September 28, 2011 |
By Gilbert King
Legendary Performer Diosa Costello Donates Wardrobe to Smithsonian
A pioneer of theater, nightclubs and Broadway gives her costumes to the American History Museum
September 27, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Origin of Blue Jeans
On the anniversary of Levi Strauss' death, learn the creation story of one of the most popular articles of clothing
September 26, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Dahomey’s Women Warriors
For the better part of 200 years, thousands of female soldiers fought and died to expand the borders of their West African kingdom. Even their conquerors, the French, acknowledged their "prodigious bravery."
September 23, 2011 |
By Mike Dash
Meet Michael Pahn: The Fiddle and The Violin are Identical Twins (that Separated at Birth)
Guest blogger and musician Michael Pahn prefers his fiddle to a violin, though they are the same instrument
September 21, 2011 |
By Michael Pahn
National Museum of African American History and Culture Visits Mississippi
Curators review family heirlooms brought in to the B.B. King Museum in Indianola
September 20, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
Score One for Roosevelt
"Football is on trial," President Theodore Roosevelt declared in 1905. So he launched the effort that saved the game
September 20, 2011 |
By Karen Abbott
The Real Birth of American Democracy
This week, 215 years ago, the lofty ideals of the Constitution passed their first test
September 20, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Events Sept. 19-22: The Life of Cleopatra, Aldabras Galore, Celebrate the Land, and La Buena Vida
This week, hear about the queen of ancient Egypt, see some of the world's largest tortoises, talk to curators about the environment, and more
September 19, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Celebrating the Face of the Blues
At 15,000 performances and counting, American music legend B.B. King turns 86 today
September 16, 2011 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Gavrilo Princip’s Sandwich
Was it really a lunch-hour coincidence that led to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914—and, by extension, to the great global catastrophes of the 20th century?
September 15, 2011 |
By Mike Dash
What Paul Robeson Said
After the singer and activist spoke at a Soviet-sponsored peace conference, he was reviled in the United States. But was the most widely reported version of his remarks accurate?
September 13, 2011 |
By Gilbert King
