Time
The past, present and future divided into geologic and historic eras, significant historic and cultural events, and centuries and decadesDiscover Smithsonian articles as they relate to the past, present and future.
A Halloween Massacre at the White House
In the fall of 1975 President Gerald Ford survived two assassination attempts and a car accident. Then his life got really complicated
October 25, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Napoleon’s Army May Have Suffered From the Greatest Wardrobe Malfunction in History
Historians still puzzle over Napoleon's catastrophic Russian defeat, but materials scientists think the army's buttons may be to blame
October 25, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Cracking the Code of the World’s Oldest Undeciphered Language
Researchers working on deciphering lettering from proto-Elamite, a system used between 3200BC and 2900BC are finally starting to chip away at just what these symbols mean
October 24, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Q&A: Joe Bataan, The King of Latin Soul
Mixing soul music with cultural pride in hits like "Ordinary Guy" and "Gypsy Woman," Joe Bataan speaks to the times and to the generations
October 24, 2012 |
By Joann Stevens
Reviving Heterodontosaurus
Paleontologists have known about Heterodontosaurus for decades, but a new restoration of the dinosaur shows just how freaky it was
October 24, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
Italian Scientists Sent to Jail Because They Downplayed the Risk of an Earthquake
Six scientists and one former government official will do time for failing to accurately convey the risk of an earthquake
October 22, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
B is for Becklespinax
For over a century and a half, paleontologists have been confounded by the sail-backed carnivore Becklespinax. What did this dinosaur really look like?
October 22, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
Men Chasing Cat Stumble Upon 2,000-Year-Old Roman Treasures
A 2,000-year old burial chamber was discovered with the help of a cat
October 19, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Sophie Blanchard – The High Flying Frenchwoman Who Revealed the Thrill and Danger of Ballooning
Blanchard was said to be afraid of riding in a carriage, but she became one of the great promoters of human flight
October 18, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Today, 14 Million People Are Going to Have an Earthquake Drill
"Duck, cover, and hold on" is the best way to get through an earthquake
October 18, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
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
Never-Before-Seen Photos Taken 50 Years Ago During Preparations for Cuba Invasion
During the dark days of October 1962, Marines trained on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques to train for an amphibious assault on Cuba
October 17, 2012 |
By Brian Wolly
Did Dinosaurs Eat Ants?
The weird alvarezsaurs look perfectly-adapted to eating termites, but how can we find out what they really ate?
October 17, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
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
Digital Laser Scans of Stonehenge Reveal Ancient Graffiti
The first complete 3D laser scan of Stonehenge's iconic prehistoric stone circle revealed ancient graffiti and meticulous alignment with the winter and summer solstice
October 15, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
A is for Agujaceratops
Though little-known to the public, Agujaceratops plays an important role in tracing one particular episode in dinosaur evolution
October 15, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
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
This is a Map of Every War Ever
The Battle of Jericho is the first entry in a massive project that sees the dates, locations, and brief descriptions for thousands of human conflicts overlaid on a scrollable, zoom-able map
October 12, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Bafflement Over the European Union’s Peace Prize Win
The European Union received the Nobel Peace Prize this morning, much to the dismay of many Europeans and Tweeters
October 12, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Traumatic Birth of the Modern (and Vicious) Political Campaign
When Upton Sinclair ran for governor of California in 1934, new media were marshaled to beat him
October 11, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
