Arts & Culture / Video
The Countercultural Roots of The Renaissance Fair
Since they started in the 1960s, Renaissance fairs have celebrated the art, culture and philosophy of the era that took place centuries ago.
Fact or Fiction? The Legend of the QWERTY Keyboard
The QWERTY keyboard was invented by Christopher Latham Sholes in the 1870s – and has stayed around ever since.
The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe May Never Be Solved
Uncover the dark and curious truth behind the death of one of America’s most beloved authors, Edgar Allan Poe. For centuries, the circumstances surrounding his death have remained shrouded in …
National Treasure: Sing a Song With Ella Jenkins, the Beloved First Lady of Children’s Music
Discover how Ella Jenkins’ joyful songs and storytelling have inspired generations of young listeners, while her commitment to advocacy has profoundly affected the world of music and beyond.
Manufacturing of bitumen-lined water bottles
Manufacturing of bitumen-lined water bottles in the traditional method of Native Californian Indians. Credit: Nicholas Radtkey, UC Davis & Sabrina Sholts
Meet the Grand Prize Winner of the 21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
After reviewing more than 30,000 photos, the editors of Smithsonian Magazine are proud to announce the Grand Prize Winner. #shorts
What ‘Bridgerton’ Gets Right About the Regency Era
From gender roles to etiquette to fashion, step back in time to learn more about the real lives of the Regency women who inspired ‘Bridgerton.’
Announcing the Winners of the 21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
After reviewing more than 30,000 photos, the editors of Smithsonian magazine are proud to announce the winning submissions. Learn more about the finalists and winners of 2024 here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/see-winners-21st-annual-smithsonian-magazine-photo-contest-180984001/. —- …
How One Photographer Recreated 19th Century Portraits With the Descendants of Civil War Heroes
Smithsonian magazine commissioned Drew Gardner for a project that connects Black Americans today to their lost ancestry. Read about Gardner’s project and process, as well as more details about the …
What Was on the Menu at the First Thanksgiving?
Follow us to the very first Thanksgiving celebration, where the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag came together for a historic feast.
This Object in History: Elmo’s Rise to Stardom
With his bright red coat, big orange nose, and wide eyes, Elmo is arguably the most famous of the Sesame Street muppets–but he didn’t always have it this good. Elmo …
How the Meaning of Thanksgiving Has Changed
The holiday was used as a call for freedom during the civil rights movement and as a day of mourning by Native Americans.
This Truffle Dog Is Facing a Really Challenging Truffle Hunt
Lola, a Lagotto Romagnolo trained to sniff out and dig up black truffles in her native Washington, is ready for a challenge: to find truffles out of season on a …
Elevating the Forgotten Histories of Black Women Through Folk Music
The power behind the music of Our Native Daughters comes from giving voice to the struggles of those who came before—and few have struggled to be heard as much as …
This Dangerous Trick Wowed Houdini’s Fans
The water torture cell escape was arguably Houdini’s most memorable stunt. So much so that many people wrongly assume it killed him–a myth invented by the 1953 movie about his …
Stratford-upon-Avon Is a Magnet for Shakespeare Lovers
To soar over Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire is to be transported back in time to the age of William Shakespeare, a man born in humble circumstances who would go on to …
How the Titanic Sinking Became Fake News
Hours after the Titanic sank, news organizations latched onto a telegraph message that seemed to say that the ship and all its passengers had been rescued. It would turn out …
This 5,000-Year-Old Tomb Is Spectacularly Preserved
Despite the fact that it’s over 5,000 years old, Maeshowe, Orkney’s answer to Stonehenge, is in amazing shape. But why did Neolithic Britons go to such great lengths to build …
The Architect of Notre Dame’s Astounding Football Success
Under exuberant coach, Knute Rockne, Notre Dame set the standards for football excellence. But off the field, the Fighting Irish was a PR sensation, capturing the hearts of a riveted …
How Conservative Groups’ Protest Led to an Era of Hollywood Censorship
It’s 1933 and Mae West is just arriving at Grauman’s Chinese Theater for the premiere of I’m No Angel. It draws fans from all over the country—as well as an …
Can You Learn the Steps to This 18th-Century Dance?
Julie Montagu, the American-born Viscountess Hinchingbrooke, is meeting up with an expert on 18th century dance. Her aim is to learn about the dances performed in that era.
The 1919 World Series Fix That Tarnished America’s Pastime
The Chicago White Sox were heavy favorites going into the 1919 World Series. But they were defeated by the Cincinnati Reds—and it soon became clear that the game was rigged.
The Weird Thrills That Americans Pursued in the 1920s
In the 1920s, the U.S. was in full thrill-seeking mode. From horse-diving (you have to see it to believe it) to barnstorming. And at the center of many of these …
David Burnett on His Experience Jumping Out of a Plane With D-Day Vets
David Burnett on His Experience Jumping Out of a Plane With D-Day Vets
This London Blacksmith Forges Replicas of Medieval Swords
A London blacksmith has perfected a technique known as pattern welding to create elaborately-designed replica Saxon swords and knives. He demonstrates his technique on camera
Behind the scenes video of C-3PO photo shoot
Credit: Cade Martin / © & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd
Credit: Smithsonian Digital Studio
Credit: Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
The Making of “Beyond Curie: Celebrating Badass Women in Science”
Credit: Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya
Zebrafish Embryo - Dr. Philipp Keller and Raghav K. Chhetrii
Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute / Ashburn, Virginia, USA / Spatially isotropic whole-animal functional imaging of a behaving Drosophila larva labeled with a calcium indicator / Custom-built IsoView …
Stephen Colbert Congratulates OK Go | Smithsonian American Ingenuity Awards
“OK Go made music videos relevant again.” – Stephen Colbert OK Go, Damian Kulash Jr. and Trish Sie won the Smithsonian magazine American Ingenuity Award for Visual Arts for pushing …
Erin Brockovich Congratulates Marc Edwards & LeeAnne Walters | Smithsonian American Ingenuity Awards
“Superman isn’t coming. It is a moment in our time when we must look to ourselves, and not take for granted or wait for something from the top to come …
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