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Latest Features

Germany’s North and Baltic Seas are littered with munitions from the First and Second World Wars, such as shells—as shown here—once fired from German battleships.

INNOVATION

A Massive Effort Is Underway to Rid the Baltic Sea of Sunken Bombs

A 17th-century painting of the September 10, 1622, Great Genna Martyrdom, in which 55 Christians were beheaded or burned alive

HISTORY

Why a Japanese Shogun Brutally Executed 55 Catholics on This Day in 1622, Driving the Country's Christians Underground

The blind side of a Remo flounder's head as it was being dissected

AT THE SMITHSONIAN

These Fish Transformed Their Dorsal Fins Into Taste Buds

Boats, lights and fog help create a serene nighttime scene in Rio de Janeiro.

TRAVEL

Bask in the Beauty of Brazil With These 15 Stunning Photographs

Intense flooding continued on August 7, after the sudden draining of a glacial lake near the Mendenhall River in Juneau, Alaska.

SCIENCE

When a Glacial Dam Burst, an Alaskan Town Was Hit With a Sudden Flood

Biocrust in Utah

SCIENCE

Inside the Effort to Save Earth's Biocrusts

Robotic kitchens aren’t on homemakers’ must-have lists yet, but they are starting to gain traction in restaurants.

INNOVATION

Robots Are Coming to the Kitchen. What Does This Mean for Everyday Life?

Stella Stimson, a suffragist and temperance crusader, led an all-women campaign to document fraud at the polls and bring down a corrupt mayor.

HISTORY

When a Trailblazing Suffragist and a Crusading Prosecutor Teamed Up to Expose an Election Conspiracy

Current Issue

Smithsonian magazine September/October 2024 issue cover

Most Popular

1.

Science

Learning to Live Beside Endangered Tigers May Be the Key to Saving Them

New programs in India are helping to reduce conflict between humans and the big cats by educating communities and helping those who have been affected by animal attacks

2.

History

Why a Japanese Shogun Brutally Executed 55 Catholics on This Day in 1622, Driving the Country's Christians Underground

During the Great Genna Martyrdom, missionaries and laypeople alike were burned alive or beheaded. The violence coincided with Japan’s push to expel all foreign influences

3.

Smart News

See 13 Captivating Images From the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest

The highly commended shots provide a preview of the 60th annual competition, which spotlights astounding animal behaviors and the conservation issues they face

4.

Science

When a Glacial Dam Burst, an Alaskan Town Was Hit With a Sudden Flood

From Alaska to Peru and the Himalayas, glacial lakes are suddenly breaking free and causing deaths and millions of dollars in damages

5.

Innovation

A Massive Effort Is Underway to Rid the Baltic Sea of Sunken Bombs

The ocean became a dumping ground for weapons after Allied forces defeated the Nazis. Now a team of robots and divers is making the waters safer

Smithsonian Voices
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Hot, Fresh & Flooded: These Wetlands Spew Out the Most Methane

Smithsonian Books

How Art Shapes Our Perception of American Workers

National Air and Space Museum

A World War II Veteran Recalls the Adventure of Patrolling the Pacific Aboard Flying Boats

Office of the Secretary of the Smithsonian

How the Civil War Spawned the Mail-In Ballot

Smithsonian American Women's History Museum

Foregrounding Fiber in American Art

Smithsonian American Women's History Museum

Because of Her Story Interns Uplifted Women’s History Across Smithsonian

See All

Special Report
Olympic rings are seen on the Eiffel Tower near the restored statue of "Cavalier Arabe" on the Pont d'Iéna bridge in Paris on July 4, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

The Paris Olympics

Prepare yourself for the Paris Olympics with this comprehensive guide to the history, science, arts and thrills of the worldwide celebration

View Full Report

Featured Stories

A History of Gymnastics, From Ancient Greece to Tokyo 2020

The Paris Games' Mascot, the Olympic Phryge, Boasts a Little-Known Revolutionary Past

How Wheaties Became the 'Breakfast of Champions'

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Smithsonian Videos

Preview thumbnail for video 'The Ultimate Skywatching Guide for Every Season

The Ultimate Skywatching Guide for Every Season

Play
Preview thumbnail for video 'The Best Small Towns to Celebrate Winter

The Best Small Towns to Celebrate Winter

Preview thumbnail for video 'The Best Small Towns to Celebrate Fall

The Best Small Towns to Celebrate Fall

Photo of the day

In this photograph; an orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) graces the scene; perched delicately on vibrant flowers as a gentle rain showers down. The image captures a moment of ethereal beauty; where nature's elements converge to create a captivating tableau.; The Orchid Mantis; known for its remarkable camouflage that mimics the appearance of blossoms; stands out amidst the rain-kissed petals. Its slender body and delicate limbs exhibit an air of elegance; while its exquisite coloration blends seamlessly with the surrounding flowers; creating a harmonious and enchanting composition.; As raindrops cascade around the mantis; they enhance the visual narrative; adding a touch of ephemeral magic to the scene. Each droplet glistens like a precious gem; reflecting the world around it; creating a shimmering mosaic of light and motion.; The juxtaposition of the Orchid Mantis against the backdrop of flowers and rain invites us to contemplate the delicate balance between beauty and resilience. It reminds us of the intricate relationship between living organisms and their environment; as the mantis finds solace and sustenance amidst the ever-changing elements.; Through this photograph; we are transported to a serene and evocative realm; where the beauty of nature unfolds in every droplet and petal. It serves as a gentle reminder of the delicate interconnectedness of life and the enduring splendor that can be found; even amidst the rain's gentle embrace. Shy Beauty

History

A Victorian era depiction of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, which took place on September 11, 1297

A Bloody Battle Depicted in 'Braveheart' Dealt a Devastating Blow to the English on This Day in 1297

At the Battle of Stirling Bridge, William Wallace defeated the superior armies of Edward I, cementing his status as one of Scotland's most iconic heroes

A 17th-century painting of the September 10, 1622, Great Genna Martyrdom, in which 55 Christians were beheaded or burned alive

Why a Japanese Shogun Brutally Executed 55 Catholics on This Day in 1622, Driving the Country's Christians Underground

Robert Imbrie's body arrived in Washington, D.C. on September 29, 1924.

A Century Ago, a Mob Brutally Attacked an American Diplomat in Persia. His Death Shaped U.S.-Iran Relations for Decades

Science

An unidentified fly from the order Diptera, which has more than 125,000 species and is one of the largest insect orders

These Stunning Portraits of Insects Reveal the Intricacies of an Amazing World

Photographer Thorben Danke combines hundreds of shots to create breathtaking images of the tiny creatures

A 2023 commemorative stamp from Serbia’s postal service showing Milutin Milanković alongside illustrations of some of his scientific work.

This World War I Prisoner of War Solved the Mystery of the Ice Ages

A rusty patched bumblebee, the first bumblebee species to be listed as endangered in the United States, clings to a flower.

Can the Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee Survive?

Innovation

Germany’s North and Baltic Seas are littered with munitions from the First and Second World Wars, such as shells—as shown here—once fired from German battleships.

A Massive Effort Is Underway to Rid the Baltic Sea of Sunken Bombs

The ocean became a dumping ground for weapons after Allied forces defeated the Nazis. Now a team of robots and divers is making the waters safer

Kids cool down at an animal-themed splash pad at Zoo Miami. Mist stations also help visitors avoid overheating on sweltering days.

In Miami, the Nation’s First Chief Heat Officer Charts a Course for Surviving on a Warming Planet

Robotic kitchens aren’t on homemakers’ must-have lists yet, but they are starting to gain traction in restaurants.

Robots Are Coming to the Kitchen. What Does This Mean for Everyday Life?

Arts & Culture

A self-portrait taken in New York by Vivian Maier in 1954

Meet Vivian Maier, the Reclusive Nanny Who Secretly Became One of the Best Street Photographers of the 20th Century

The self-taught artist is getting her first museum exhibition in New York City, where she nurtured her nascent interest in photography

The Museum of Perfume, presented by Paris’ Fragonard Perfumery, is dedicated to exploring the methodology and history behind perfume making.

Museums in Paris That Surprise and Delight, From Medical History to Magic to Marie Curie

The weapons are adorned with gold and silver designs and an engraved image of Napoleon.

Napoleon's Elaborately Decorated Pistols Sell for $1.8 Million at Auction

Travel

Tintagel Castle, a dramatic 13th century fortress on the rocky coast of Cornwall, England, has been associated with King Arthur.

Nine Mythical Places Archaeologists Think May Have Actually Existed

Historical evidence is helping to pinpoint the exact locations of fabled sites, from King Arthur’s castle to Solomon’s Temple

Boats, lights and fog help create a serene nighttime scene in Rio de Janeiro.

Bask in the Beauty of Brazil With These 15 Stunning Photographs

These colorful rings could become a permanent fixture of the Eiffel Tower.

Paris Mayor Wants to Keep the Olympic Rings on the Eiffel Tower

At the Smithsonian

Gambel oak branchlet

This Massive New Guidebook Will Forever Change the Way You Look at Trees

Written by Smithsonian botanist W. John Kress, the book details more than 300 North American tree species in words, maps and photographs—and why we shouldn't take them for granted

Did Hawaiian dancers traditionally wear grass skirts? 

What's the History of Hawaiian Grass Skirts? And More Questions From Our Readers

Station VI: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus, Bruce Onobrakpeya, linoleum block print on rice paper, 1969

After Nigerian Independence, One Renowned Artist Made Jesus a West African Savior in His Vibrant Work