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Blogs

The skull of Australopithecus sediba

Top 10 Hominid Discoveries of 2011

A look back at the year’s most important and fascinating finds in the field of human evolution

Val & Ernie Stanton in Cut Yourself a Piece of Cake

Some Memorable Screenings in 2011

In lieu of a list of my top 10 films of the year, here’s a look back at some of the best experiences I had at the theaters

Juniper berries

Ask Smithsonian 2017

What the Heck Do I Do With Juniper Berries?

Botanically speaking, they are female seed cones. But culinarily, the dark violet orbs look and taste enough like berries to deserve the name

Cats and earthquakes were popular subjects this year.

Top Ten Science Blog Posts of 2011

Cats, zombies, earthquakes, chickens—our readers have an eclectic taste

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How to Turn a Dinosaur Into a Bird

Two classic bits of animation beautifully visualized the evolution of birds from dinosaurs

Climbers are now using Twitter from the slopes and summit of Mount Everest. Does that seem wrong?

Climbing Mount Everest in the Internet Age

Are people playing games while climbing the world’s tallest mountain? That’s hard to say, but they’re definitely texting

The Luce Foundation Center, Smithsonian American Art Museum

Events Dec. 27-29: Winter Break Programs, Camp Kwanzaa

This week, take part in the Portrait Gallery’s special winter break and celebrate Kwanzaa

A young echidna in Coles Bay, Australia

What In The World Is An Echidna?

This spiky monotreme can be found in Australia and New Guinea

Roti, a Trinidad specialty

Inviting Writing: Trinidadian Roti

For an expatriate, there’s no such thing as going too far to procure a specialty from home

An articulated Iguanodon hand on display at London’s Natural History Museum

A Mysterious Thumb

What did Iguanodon use its big thumb spikes for—stabbing attackers, breaking into seeds, or possibly stripping foliage from branches?

A "pooping log"

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Pooping Log, and Other World Christmas Traditions

Santa can’t do it all. Many places have their own traditions about who—or what—is responsible for bringing Christmas candies and toys

Asa Butterfield in Martin Scorsese's Hugo

A Spoiler Alert Guide to Year-End Releases

Three trends in big-budget movies coming out this holiday season

When it came time to pick a 2011 Christmas tree ornament, the choice was clear - I needed a dinosaur.

Deck the Halls With Dinosaurs

Given their probable diet of conifers, I’m surprised there aren’t even more holiday sauropods in the Christmas tree mix

Christmas in the future as imagined in the 1981 book "Tomorrow's Home" by Neil Ardley

Santa’s Trusty Robot Reindeer

A special visit from the Ghost of Christmas Retro-Future

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A Season for Giving: 5 Diplomatic Gifts to the U.S. in the Smithsonian Collections

This holiday season, check out some of the most memorable diplomatic gifts given to U.S. presidents

Riflemen Andrew and Grigg (center)—British troops from London—during the Christmas Truce with Saxons of the 104th and 106th Regiments of the Imperial German Army.

World War I: 100 Years Later

The Story of the WWI Christmas Truce

It has become a great legend of World War I. But what really happened when British and German troops emerged from their trenches that Christmas Day?

A composite image of S106, from the Hubble Space Telescope and Japan's Subaru Telescope

A Holiday Angel Among the Stars

The star-forming region Sharpless 2-106 bears a certain resemblance, particularly during this time of year

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Q and A with Cake Wrecks Blogger Jen Yates

“I’m not out to vilify bakers; I’m just trying to find a little funny in unexpected places”

The Zeo sleep manager

The Twelve Days of Gadgets

In their day, maids a-milking and pipers piping might have made for one fine gift. But it is the 21st century. A replacement list is in order

Pitcairn Island provided the mutineers of the Bounty a haven from the world in the 18th century. Today, it offers much the same—along with a general store, a cafe and 50 permanent residents.

Seven Islands to Visit in 2012

Pitcairn Island is populated by 50 people, has a handful of hostels, a general store and a café and, frankly, could really use a few visitors

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