World History
The History of Trick Or Treating Is Weirder Than You Thought
It's almost that time of year when underaged kids get into costume and traipse around the neighborhood ringing doorbells and begging for treats
October 18, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Events October 19-21: Star Music, Hollywood’s Gettysburg and Día de los Muertos
Hear from an astrophysicist who danced her PhD thesis, watch a classic Civil War film and start celebrating Day of the Dead a little early
October 18, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
161 Years Ago Today Ahab First Battled the White Whale, and Critics Hated It
Today marks the 161st anniversary of Moby Dick, the epic seafaring tale by Herman Melville, and Google is celebrating with its own Doodle
October 18, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Joann Stevens: Arts Righting History
Japanese singer-dancer Nobuko Miyamoto will speak about her role in making a place for Asian Americans in music October 19th
October 17, 2012 |
By Joann Stevens
Every Place in North Dakota Captured in 9,308 Photographs
In a series of 9,308 photographs Andrew Filer documented every place in North Dakota. Literally
October 16, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Yesterday’s Google Doodle Celebrates Little Nemo, Takes You Back to Childhood Fantasy Land
Yesterday's Google Doodle celebrated the 107th anniversary of Little Nemo in Slumberland, a comic strip by Winsor McCay that hit the presses for nine years
October 16, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
How a Missile Silo Became the Most Difficult Interior Decorating Job Ever
A relic from the Cold War, this instrument of death gets a new life … and a new look
October 15, 2012 |
By Lisa Bramen
Report Suggests Armstrong Not Just a Doper But a Pusher
Sources close to Armstrong have come forward admitting that not only did he dope, but he was at the center of the doping world
October 11, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Trial By Judgmental Jury—Attractive Women Seem More Guilty
A recent study suggested that women who are blonde and beautiful are less likely to get any sympathy from a jury
October 10, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Sax in the City: Connecting the Musical Dots
The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra helps connect the musical dots, from saxophonist Benny Carter to the Sex and the City theme song, at its Oct. 13 concert
October 10, 2012 |
By Guest Blogger
Bioluminescent Worms Welcomed Columbus to the New World
Before Columbus made landfall in the New World 520 years ago today, glowing green worms engaged in a mating dance may have welcomed him first
October 08, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The U.S. Air Force’s Plan To Build a Flying Saucer
Newly-released schematics show the plans for a failed flying saucer
October 08, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Events October 9-11: Short Films, Chef Demonstrations and a Shanghai Quartet
This week at the Smithsonian, daily screenings, the best of American cuisine and new arrangements of Chinese folk songs
October 08, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Why Pencils Are Way Better Than Pens
Count Wolfgang, head of a huge pencil company, explains why pencils are wonderful
October 05, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Skydiver Plans to Break the Sound Barrier by Jumping From 120,000 Feet
Carried aloft by a giant helium balloon, Felix Baumgartner will free-fall from the stratosphere
October 05, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
What (or Who) Caused the Great Chicago Fire?
The true story behind the myth of Mrs. O'Leary and her cow and how the scapegoating ruined one woman's good name and spawned a folk song that would last for decades
October 04, 2012 |
By Karen Abbott
The First Anchorman Ever Was Not Walter Cronkite
Walter Cronkite is widely referred to as the world's first anchorman. But a man named John Cameron Swayze might have beat him to the punch
October 04, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Ruby Slippers Head to London
Get a peek at the iconic shoes from the Wizard of Oz before they head to the Victoria and Albert Museum for a temporary exhibit
October 04, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Events October 5-7: Mrs. Judo, Staring at the Sun and Chamber Society Music
This weekend, a 99-year old judo legend, a scientist who studies the sun and a season-opener with the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society.
October 04, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
