Events
Momentous and notable cultural and historic occasions as well as holidays and celebrations
NASA’s Curiosity Team Gives Us a Geeky Reason To Go to the Inauguration Parade
Although the rover itself could not make the trip from Mars, a full-size model will roll in the parade alongside the real-life crew
January 18, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
“The Grave Looked So Miserable”
James Idle was only 19 when he became one of the earliest casualties of the First World War. But his senseless death inspired a lifetime of devotion from a 9-year-old girl who watched his funeral
January 18, 2013 |
By Mike Dash
The U.S. Once Wanted To Use Nuclear Bombs as a Construction Tool
From digging a harbor to expanding the Panama Canal, how couldn't nuclear bombs be used?
January 16, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
More Soldiers Die From Suicide Than Fall in Combat
In 2012, 349 active-duty servicemembers took their own lives
January 15, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Document Deep Dive: The Menu From President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Ball
What delicacies and confectionaries were found on the 250-foot-long buffet table?
January 15, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
From Washington to Obama, Inaugural History
Everything you've wanted to know about the upcoming Presidential Inauguration
January 14, 2013 |
By Smithsonian.com
Ongoing Drought Could Send the Chicago River Flowing in Reverse
Low water levels in Lake Michigan could cause the Chicago River to start flowing the other way
January 10, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Australia is Burning, And It’s Only Going to Get Worse as the World Warms
Across Australia wildfires are raging. And yes, there is a climate connection
January 09, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Turn Your Dead Christmas Tree Into Beer
Rather than tossing your tree, turn it into spruce beer
January 07, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Old Christmas Trees Can Be Used to Clean Medical Equipment
Someday those pesky fallen needles may help save lives—or at least sterilize needles for annual flu shots
January 04, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Hungover? There’s a Cure for That No Matter Where You Live
There are some things that are universal—trade, money, shelter, hangovers
January 03, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
We’ve Been Celebrating With Booze for 10,000 Years
This ancient social lubricant has been a staple of cultic feasts and gatherings since the dawn of time, archaeological evidence suggests, meaning every time we sip a cold stout or toast with a glass of bubbly, we're taking part in a millennia-old tradition
January 02, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
A World of New Year’s Resolutions, Mapped by Google
What do people all around the world want to change this year?
January 02, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Science of Keeping New Year’s Resolutions
Want to bolster your chances of actually staying true to your 2013 New Year's resolution, whatever it may be?
January 01, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
How to Avoid Getting Scammed on New Year’s Eve Champagne
Tonight, when you pop the bubbly, are you popping champagne or sparkling wine? How should you pour it? How do you drink it?
December 31, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Last Working Copyist in Mali Is Trying To Save Timbuktu’s Manuscripts
180,000 medieval manuscripts are housed in Timbuktu, and only 23,000 of those ancient writings have ever been catalogued
December 27, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
This Christmas Tune Was Written By An Astronaut And Recorded in Space
Listen to the first song written specifically to be performed in space
December 27, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Open For Business: The 3D Printed Gun Store
After Makerbot and Stasys pulled support, 3-D gun printers have found help elsewhere, and opened an online database of designs
December 26, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Irish Used to Celebrate The Day After Christmas by Killing Wrens
If you've ever wanted to celebrate the day after christmas by hunting down a small bird and tying it to the top of a pole, move to Ireland
December 26, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
