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.
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
War and Peace of Mind for Ulysses S. Grant
With the help of his friend Mark Twain, Grant finished his memoirs—and saved his wife from an impoverished widowhood—just days before he died
January 16, 2013 |
By Gilbert King
Indians Made It to Australia More Than 4,000 Years Before the British
Evidence of substantial gene flow between Australian and Indian populations around 4,000 years ago refutes beliefs that Australia was an isolated continent before Europeans arrived
January 15, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
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
Romans Did All Sorts of Weird Things in The Public Baths—Like Getting Their Teeth Cleaned
For ancient Romans enjoying a day at the bathhouse, the list of items lost to drains includes jewelry, scalpels, teeth, needles and plates
January 14, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
From Washington to Obama, Inaugural History
Everything you've wanted to know about the upcoming Presidential Inauguration
January 14, 2013 |
By Smithsonian.com
One Man’s Seven-Year March Along Ancient Migration Routes
This past Sunday, journalist Paul Salopek began his walk from Ethiopia to Patagonia
January 11, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Flores Hobbits Were Sort of Like Humans, Sort of Like Chimps, Sort of Like Tolkien’s Fantasy Beings
Archaeologists are slowly bringing "the Hobbit Human" to light as new bones turn up
January 11, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
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
In Ancient Egypt, People Paid to Become Temple Servants
Rather than face forced labor, some ancient Egyptians gave up their futures and their coin to become temple servants
January 09, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
The Candor and Lies of Nazi Officer Albert Speer
The minister of armaments was happy to tell his captors about the war machine he had built. But it was a different story when he was asked about the Holocaust
January 08, 2013 |
By Gilbert King
Turn Your Dead Christmas Tree Into Beer
Rather than tossing your tree, turn it into spruce beer
January 07, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Why Do Flowers Smell Good?
Humans have loved flowers for millennia, for both their looks and their scents
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
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About San Francisco’s Cable Cars
Ever since they became a part of the city’s transit system, they have been iconic mainstays of its cityscape
January 04, 2013 |
By Jeff Greenwald
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
