Holidays
We Don’t Know the Origins of the Candy Cane, But They Almost Certainly Were Not Christian
There are a lot of explanations floating around out there about the candy cane - but almost none of them are true
December 11, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Modern Way to Honor Guy Fawkes: Hack a Website
Each year, Guy Fawkes is remembered as a revolutionary by people all over the world, who general celebrate his memory by causing trouble, blowing things up, and most recently, hacking
November 05, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Sandy Unearths Skeleton on New Haven Green
Hurricane Sandy delivered a gruesome mystery, just in time for Halloween
October 31, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Scaredy Cats Unite—Not Everyone Loves Being Afraid
A big part of Halloween is getting scared, intentionally. Why in the world would anyone want that?
October 29, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
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
Today We Celebrate a Woman Who Saw the Future of Computers
Today is Ada Lovelace Day, a day celebrating the life of Lady Lovelace, a seventeenth century countess who published a paper that might be the first computer program ever devised
October 16, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
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
Labor Day’s Secret Society Connections
Add Labor Day to the vaulted hall of things concocted by secret societies, alongside Madonna's Superbowl performance and Pancho Villa's stolen skull
September 03, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Singapore’s “National Night” Encourages Citizens to Make Babies
Singapore's "unbelievably low birthrates" have inspired "National Night," a campaign to encourage Singaporean couples to "let their patriotism explode" on August 9.
August 08, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Smithsonian.com's Holiday Guide
The evolution of mistletoe, the science of Rudolph's nose and everything you've wanted to know about your favorite holiday traditions
July 16, 2012 |
By Smithsonian.com
17 Minutes of Fireworks Go Off in 15 Seconds
Yesterday, in the San Diego Bay, a fireworks show meant to last 17 minutes went off in 15 seconds.
July 05, 2012 |
By Sarah Laskow
On the Solstice, People in the Tropics Cast No Shadow
Today, on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, the planet tilts the furthest towards the sun. At noon on the Tropic of Cancer, 23° 26′ North, the sun will be at a 90 degree angle from the Earth—directly overhead. Like the can in the picture above, nothing standing on the ground there [...]
June 20, 2012 |
By Sarah Laskow
Today is Juneteenth, the Most Important Holiday No One Knows About
Today is Juneteenth! That’s the day we solemnly remember one of the greatest horrors in American history, or not, since it’s not an official holiday. Although Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it didn’t impact slaves in Texas for more than two years, until June 19, 1865. As Kenneth C. Davis wrote last [...]
June 19, 2012 |
By Sarah Laskow
Top Ten Demonstrations of Love
The inventor, the celebrity and the royal highness couldn’t resist the draw of making a grand gesture to the love of their life
February 10, 2012 |
By Abigail Tucker
How to Eat Like a King for Christmas
Using antique technology and vintage cookbooks, food historian Ivan Day recreates such Tudor and Victorian specialties as puddings and roast goose
December 22, 2011 |
By Elaine Glusac
Mistletoe: The Evolution of a Christmas Tradition
Why does this parasitic plant remind us of romance?
December 21, 2011 |
By Rob Dunn
Best of Children’s Books 2011: For Picture Book Readers (Part I)
As you begin your holiday shopping, review these selections of the best picture books of the year
December 02, 2011 |
By Kathleen Burke
What Was on the Menu at the First Thanksgiving?
The history of the holiday meal tells us that turkey was always the centerpiece, but other courses have since disappeared
November 21, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
Gerda Weissmann Klein on American Citizenship
The Holocaust survivor, author and Medal of Freedom winner discusses liberation day and cherished freedoms
June 13, 2011 |
By Megan Gambino
A King Cake Special Delivery
One can’t truly celebrate a New Orleans Mardi Gras without the doughy delicacy
March 07, 2011 |
By Maria Keehan
