Leah Binkovitz

Birds and Bards: Beautiful Japanese Images from the Edo Period

Everything from parrots to gossipy novels influenced art in Japan between 1603 to 1868

February 20, 2013

Sneak Peek: Medical Marvels and Historical Oddities from the Collections

From Florida's infamous hanging chads and the magnifying glass used to inspect them to vanity eyeballs, American History curators brought the goods for 2013's Tweet Up

February 19, 2013

Know Your Presidents? Stabbings, Pet Raccoons, Cat Fights and Other Presidential Lore

Do you know which president liked to skinny dip in the Potomac or who had the first pet cat in the White House?

February 18, 2013

From Virginia to Missouri to the Smithsonian: Jefferson’s Tombstone Has a Long Story

At the institution for a year of repairs, the president's gravemarker calls the University of Missouri campus home

February 15, 2013

“Freakish Absurdities:” A Century Ago, An Art Show Shocked the Country

The Armory Show provoked reactions of love and hate; today it is recognized as changing American art forever

February 15, 2013

Critter Cupids: Animals in Love

Ever wonder how a giant panda says I love you? Or how a sea lion bonds with a best friend?

February 13, 2013

PHOTOS: A Piece of History, Celebrating Mardi Gras in D.C.

Historical photographs of Mardi Gras celebrations also tell the story of D.C.'s African American roots

February 12, 2013

At Age 204, Charles Darwin Gets Animated

Check out scenes from the new comic "Darwin: A Graphic Biography" by Eugene Byrne and Simon Gurr

February 12, 2013

Sneak Peek of “Seizing Justice: The Greensboro 4"

Airing February 11, the Smithsonian Channel documentary tells the story of the lunch counter sit-in that helped to change the country

February 11, 2013

Grammy Gold: Folkways Takes Home Two Awards

Congratulations to the record label for the success of Woody at 100 and Quetzal's Imaginaries album

February 11, 2013

Q+A: The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Talks About Her First Day of School

Carlotta Walls LaNier recently donated the dress she wore on what would've been her first day at the desegregated high school

February 8, 2013

Discussion at the American Indian Museum: Time to Put Racist Mascots to Bed

The panel talk on the controversial practice spilled over in the Twittersphere as people talked about the history of racist mascots and what can be done

February 7, 2013

Events Feb 8-10: Foreign Film, Valentine’s Workshop and Russian Chamber Music

This weekend, catch Iranian star Leila's Hatami's latest, craft a little love and hear from the National Chamber Ensemble

February 7, 2013

The Director of the Indian Museum Says It’s Time to Retire the Indian Motif in Sports

Are teams like the Indians, the Braves and the Redskins reflecting racial stereotypes?

February 6, 2013

The Two-Bedroom Apartment in Jersey That Had Its Own Chinese Art Collection

Some 5,000 items filled Paul Singer's apartment, now 63 go on display

February 5, 2013

Don’t Get Duped: Six Foods That Might Not Be The Real Deal

Colored sawdust instead of saffron? Corn syrup instead of honey? It's all in the newly updated USP Food Fraud Database

February 4, 2013

Welcome to Blackdom: The Ghost Town That Was New Mexico’s First Black Settlement

A homesteading settlement founded out of reach of Jim Crow is now a ghost town, but postal records live on to tell its story

February 4, 2013

The Uncertain Promise of Freedom’s Light: Black Soldiers in The Civil War

Sometimes treated as curiosities at the time, black men and women fighting for the Union and organizing for change altered the course of history

February 1, 2013

Spotlight

February 2013

A Nike Shoe, Now a Part of the Smithsonian

The Flyknit racer is currently in the collections of the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

February 2013