World History
Presenting the Real Harlem Shake
More than a goofy meme, the Harlem Shake is a dance with long roots
February 20, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Mississippi Officially Ratifies Amendment to Ban Slavery, 148 Years Late
The movie Lincoln helped kick Mississippi into action on finally ratifying the 13th Amendment
February 20, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Sneak Peek: Medical Marvels and Historical Oddities from the Collections
From Florida's infamous hanging chads and the magnifying glass used to inspect them to vanity eyeballs, American History curators brought the goods for 2013's Tweet Up
February 19, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The Fashion World Has No Excuse, But There’s a Good Reason Bill Cosby Wore Crazy Sweaters
The story behind Bill Cosby's sweaters has a lot more to do with television production than fashion
February 19, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Into the Cave of Chile’s Witches
Did members of a powerful society of warlocks actually murder their enemies and kidnap children?
February 19, 2013 |
By Mike Dash
Nuclear Bombs Made It Possible to Carbon Date Human Tissue
The fallout of the nuclear bomb era is still alive today - in our muscles
February 19, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Events February 15-17: Sketching Lessons, Arabian Jazz and Lincoln’s Dream
This week, indulge your creative side, hear Arab music, and meet a children's book author.
February 14, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
PHOTOS: A Piece of History, Celebrating Mardi Gras in D.C.
Historical photographs of Mardi Gras celebrations also tell the story of D.C.'s African American roots
February 12, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Fifty Years After Sylvia Plath’s Death, Critics Are Just Starting to Understand Her Life
Cultural fascination with the author and poet continues to burn brightly despite - or perhaps because of - Plath's premature departure from this world
February 11, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Sneak Peek of “Seizing Justice: The Greensboro 4″
Airing February 11, the Smithsonian Channel documentary tells the story of the lunch counter sit-in that helped to change the country
February 11, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Events February 12-14: Women in Sustainability, China’s Investment in Africa and an Emancipation Proclamation Theater Performance
This week, hear from a panel of sustainability rock stars, see a documentary on China's presence in Africa and watch a Black History Month celebration.
February 11, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Q+A: The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Talks About Her First Day of School
Carlotta Walls LaNier recently donated the dress she wore on what would've been her first day at the desegregated high school
February 08, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
How to Revive a Lost Language
By the year 2100, the human race will have lost about 50% of the languages alive today. Every fourteen days a language dies. There are some success stories though
February 08, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Battle Over Richard III’s Bones…And His Reputation
Rival towns are vying for the king’s remains and his legacy now that his skeleton has been found 500 years after his death
February 08, 2013 |
By Linda Rodriguez McRobbie
PHOTOS: Wynton Marsalis, Honoring Duke Ellington
The artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center celebrates the jazz legend who won affection at home and abroad
February 07, 2013 |
By Joann Stevens
Making Progress: Future Home of the African American History Museum
A New Welcome Center Offers A Sneak Peek at the New Museum
February 06, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Monopoly Fans Have Spoken: Cats Are In, Irons Are Out
As Hasbro welcomes the sleek, new silver kitty, it bids farewell to the age-old iron
February 06, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Sorry, Malcolm Gladwell: NYC’s Drop in Crime Not Due to Broken Window Theory
We have no idea why crime dropped, but it had nothing to do with broken windows or police strategy
February 06, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Should the Constitution Be Scrapped?
In a new book, Louis Michael Seidman claims that arguing about the constitutionality of laws and reforms is the cause of our harsh political discourse
February 05, 2013 |
By Amy Crawford
There’s No Such Thing as a Concussion-Proof Helmet
Essentially, if you put 15 inches of foam on the outside of the helmet, you can make a concussion free helmet. But that's completely impractical
February 04, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
