World History
America’s Got a Case of Souvenir Mania
A new book from a Smithsonian curator looks at the culture and business of memorabilia
April 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Michael Pollan, World War II and More Recent Books Out This Month
Read about the transformation of food and what happens to it once its in the digestive system
April 2013 |
By Chloë Schama
How the DC-3 Revolutionized Air Travel
Before the legendary aircraft took flight, it took 25 hours to fly from New York to Los Angeles
April 2013 |
By Kathleen Burke
Where Was the Birthplace of the American Vacation?
First in rustic tents and later in elaborate resorts, city dwellers took to the Adirondacks to explore the joys of the wilderness
April 2013 |
By Tony Perrottet
Remembering the Last Great Worldwide Sailing Expedition
An 1838 journey pushed back the borders of the unknown
April 2013 |
By Michael Ruane
The United States Isn’t the Only Country Asking the Gay Marriage Question
The U.S. isn't the only nation struggling with the gay marriage issue. Here are where the debate stands in other countries around the world
March 29, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Events March 29-31: Parasitic Wasps, Joseph Henry and Victorian Portraits
This weekend, learn about wasps that live inside their prey, meet Smithsonian's first secretary from 1846 and see living rooms from 150 years ago
March 28, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Butterflies, Baseball and Blossoms: Tours for Your Spring Vacation
Two custom tours come fully loaded with insider information, digital postcards and step-by-step directions
March 27, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
After 195 Years, Georgia Is Still Complaining About Its Border With Tennessee
Georgia, again, wants to move its border a mile to the north
March 26, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Scientists Published Henrietta Lacks’ Genome Without the Consent of Her Family
Author Rebecca Skloot argues that society is not ready for full genetic disclosures of individuals
March 26, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Tracing $1 Bills Across the United States Is a Surprisingly Useful Hobby
What started as a quirky hobby, has turned into a national bill hunt that's useful for all sorts of people - like physicists
March 25, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Obama Dedicates Five New National Monuments
Locals and environmentalists are happy about the decision, but others warn that the new monuments arrive just in time for the sequester's budget cuts
March 25, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Events March 26-28: Student Sit-Ins, Environmental Art and Female Historical Perspectives
This week, re-enact an event that encouraged civil rights, turn water bottles into art and see American history through women's eyes
March 25, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Pediatricians Back Gay Marriage
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that allowing a child's parents to marry is good for kids
March 21, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
An Apollo Rocket Engine Was Just Saved from the Bottom of the Atlantic
These booster rockets sent Apollo astronauts blasting to the Moon
March 21, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
It’s Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny
Unlike New Yorker cartoons, in which, you are actually missing the joke, Garfield is in fact not even designed to be funny
March 20, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
How Did A Group of Plumbers’ Wives Change American History?
Initially a social club, the Women's Auxiliary grew to become one of the nation's most influential organizations in the country
March 20, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
From the Big Bang to the End of the Earth and Everything in Between, the Two Minute History of America
A fun video by a Minnesota high school student tries to capture all of human history in just two minutes
March 20, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz


