Skip to main content

Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine and get a FREE tote.

Articles

None

Tree Climbers, Wood Eaters, and More: The Top 10 Human Evolution Discoveries of 2012

This year’s hominid finds illuminate the great diversity and adaptability of our ancient relatives

Let these guys bring you a jazzed up holiday season with a Take 5! concert.

Events December 18-20: National Apologies, Robot Face-offs and Jazzy Holidays

Learn about the 2009 official apology to Native Americans, talk with an expert at Air and Space and hear some “post-cool” takes on seasonal classics

The Inkwell used by Lincoln, the Proclamation draft and Lincoln's pen.

How the Emancipation Proclamation Came to Be Signed

The pen, inkwell and one copy of the document that freed the slaves are photographed together for the first time

Without cutting emissions by 2020, avoiding catastrophic levels of global warming, including ice melt and sea level rise, will be extremely unlikely.

Climate Change Tipping Point: Research Shows That Emission Reductions Must Occur by 2020

A new report indicates that we have roughly 8 years to cut fossil fuel use without risking catastrophic levels of warming

Nothing says Smithsonian cheer like ZooLights.

Events December 21-23: Medicinal Tattoos, Dakota 38, and ZooLights

This weekend, learn about the health history behind tattoos, watch one man’s journey to mark the Dakota War and take in the holidazzle at the Zoo

None

The Christmas Tree Worm, Decorating Coral Reefs Year-Round

The oceans show holiday spirit with a worm on coral reefs that resembles a fluffy fir tree adorned with colored ornaments.

The Smithsonian homepage in 1995

Fun Places on the Internet (in 1995)

What were you doing on the web back in the age of Netscape and Gopher?

None

Why Japan Is Obsessed With Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas

Thanks to the successful “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” (Kentucky for Christmas!) marketing campaign in 1974, Japan can’t get enough KFC on Christmas Day

None

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

A graphic data readout of the a collision of two protons, briefly producing a Higgs Boson, from the Large Hadron Collider.

Mythical Particles, Goldilocks Planets and More: Top 5 Surprising Scientific Milestones of 2012

From the Higgs Boson to the Curiosity rover, 2012 was a major year for science

None

The Most Exciting (and Frustrating) Stories From This Year in Dinosaurs

From feathers to black market fossil controversies, 2012 was a big year for dinosaurs

The March on Washington was organized in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation to call on the country to fulfill its promise.

How Change Happens: The 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and the 1963 March on Washington

At the 150th and 50th anniversary of two historic moments, the African American History and Culture Museum and American History Museum team up

None

The Legend of the Christmas Stocking

What’s behind the holiday tradition of hanging hosiery on the fireplace?

Meet Spaun, a computer model that mimics brain behavior.

A More Human Artificial Brain

Canadian researchers have created a computer model that performs tasks like a human brain. It also sometimes forgets things

None

Sit Back and Plug In: Entertainment in the Year 2000

Was our future to be delightful or depraved? Sort of depends on your perspective

The Smithsonian Air and Space museum is in possession of the remains of an original Horten Ho 229.

After Nearly 70 Years, How Do Stealth Planes Stay Stealthy?

From the Horten Ho 229 to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, stealth technology has changed a lot

None

The Persistence of Memory in Mice

A new study shows that female mice who smell pheromones in potential mates’ urine will constantly return to the site of exposure even weeks later

Holiday card design, 195-?. Frederick Hammersley papers, circa 1860s, 1890-2009

Handmade Christmas Cards Sent By Famous Artists to Their Friends

Original designs from artists over the years to celebrate the holidays

The first Andean bear cub was born at 12:01 am, the second at 2:02 am, on December 13 to proud mother Billie Jean.

Double the Fun: Andean Bear Gives Birth to Twins

Born two hours apart starting at midnight, Dec. 13, the cubs and mother, Billie Jean are all doing fine

Steel rule dies that are used to cut leather for mass production Location: Baikal Inc. Handbag Manufacturer

How to Bring Manufacturing Back to the USA in Small-Batch Format

Aspiring makers are now finding ways to manufacture their designs in American factories

Page 757 of 1325