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.
Take a Tour of Victor Hugo's Paris
As a film version of his Les Miserables hits theaters, consider traveling in the French writer’s footsteps
December 24, 2012 |
By Nina Fedrizzi
All of Zeus’s Affairs, Visualized
If you remember nothing else from Roman and Green mythology it's probably that Zeus got around. Many stories involve the god of gods running about with women, mortal or otherwise
December 21, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The History of the Teddy Bear: From Wet and Angry to Soft and Cuddly
After Teddy Roosevelt's act of sportsmanship in 1902 was made legendary by a political cartoonist, his name was forever affixed to an American classic
December 21, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Instead of Dieting After the Holidays, Take the Bus
Driving just 1 mile less per day is more effective at reducing weight than cutting back on 100 calories per day
December 21, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
That Time 150 Years Ago When Thousands of People Watched Baseball on Christmas Day
During the Civil War, two regiments faced off as spectators, possibly as many as 40,000, sat and watched
December 21, 2012 |
By John Hanc
How Will Life on Earth Survive the Actual Apocalypse?
What will life be like for the last holdouts during the actual end of the world?
December 20, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Food Can Give You a Hangover
The connection between specific foods and migraines is tough to prove, scientifically, but those with migraines often switch their diets to avoid foods that trigger the pain
December 20, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Russia Just Voted To Stop Letting Americans Adopt Russian Kids
The Duma - Russia's power house of Parliament - voted in support of a bill that would ban American citizens from adopting Russian orphans
December 20, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Dead Sea Scrolls Just Went Digital
Written between 200 BC and the middle of the first century AD, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered again 1947
December 19, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The Boy Who Became a World War II Veteran at 13 Years Old
In 1942, Seaman Calvin Graham was decorated for valor in battle. Then his mother learned where he'd been and revealed his secret to the Navy.
December 19, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Native American Woman May Have Made It to Europe 500 Years Before Columbus Was Born
Portions of DNA passed only from mother to child reveal that about 80 people living in Iceland today possess a genetic variation distinct to one found mostly in Native Americans
December 19, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Document Deep Dive: Emancipation Proclamation
When freeing the slaves 150 years ago, Abraham Lincoln traded in his famous lyricism for a dry, legal tone. Harold Holzer explains why
December 19, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Ramses III’s Mummy Reveals the Pharaoh’s Throat Was Slit
Ramses III's death has always been a mystery, but new evidence just emerged the the Pharaoh's throat was slit, likely by members of his harem
December 18, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Prolonged Drought Could Shut Down Shipping on the Mighty Mississippi
This time last year the Mississippi around St. Louis was 20 feet deeper
December 18, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
NASA Assures Us the World Won’t End on Friday
NASA points out the blatant illogic of this apocalypse scenario and misconceptions that caused the false notion of an end-of-the-world prophesy to come about
December 17, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Tornado Power: Green Energy of the Future?
Paypal co-founder and early Facebook investor Peter Thiel just gave a small $300,000 startup grant to a Canadian researcher trying to harness power from man-made tornados
December 17, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
One of the World’s Oldest Bibles Is Now Online
An ancient Greek Bible is now available online
December 17, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Even Mummy Doctors Forgot Tools in Their Patients Sometimes
Researchers examining the brains of mummies have found a small tool that was used during embalming, left behind after the procedure
December 17, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
White Gold: How Salt Made and Unmade the Turks and Caicos Islands
Turks and Caicos had one of the world's first, and largest, salt industries—which led, indirectly, to their becoming the only tropical jurisdiction to have a pair of igloos on their flag.
December 14, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
The First Nativity Scene Was Created in 1223
Nativity buffs will also note that the familiar cast of characters relied upon today is not biblically accurate
December 14, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
