‘The Little Mermaid’ Has Been Subverting Expectations for Decades
The 1989 Disney movie musical may have saved the Disney corporation, but it also sent important messages about identity to its young audiences
Long Before Jazz, Frank Johnson Was Playing the Hottest Music in America
The innovations of a forgotten genius who laid the groundwork for the nation’s signature music
The Stars Are Aligned at the National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Curator Reveals New Details on an Egg From Sigourney Weaver’s Iconic ‘Alien’ Franchise
Get the inside scoop on the iconic prop, now on view in the exhibition “Entertainment Nation”
What Earth Would Have Really Looked Like in Adam Driver’s ‘65’
If you were to travel back in time you’d find a mix of the familiar and strange on our planet
How Marian Anderson Took the World by Storm
Her mighty contralto propelled her across color lines
These Works Are Now in the Public Domain
The latest additions are a rich trove of books, films, songs and other works from 1927
You Can Now Buy Ralphie Parker’s House From ‘A Christmas Story’
For years, fans of the 1983 classic movie have been flocking to the home and museum in Cleveland
The Mesoamerican Influences Behind Namor From ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’
The sequel to the 2018 Marvel blockbuster features a Maya-inspired antihero played by Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta
When It Comes to String Instruments, Stradivariuses Are Still Pitch Perfect
Even after three centuries of their existence, the violins spark debate over what makes their sound special
A Pilgrimage to Honor a Blues Legend
With a mysterious memento from long ago in hand, a devoted fan of the blues artist Mississippi John Hurt returns to the Delta
How Preservation Hall Has Kept New Orleans’ Iconic Jazz Alive
The plucky institution staged a brassy comeback for America’s signature music
After Long Absence, the Folklife Festival Returns to the National Mall
The much-loved summer event, featuring the United Arab Emirates and Earth Optimism programs, opens with a concert hosted by Yo-Yo Ma
Who Was Pinocchio’s Mysterious Blue-Haired Fairy?
Author Carlo Collodi may have drawn inspiration from one—or a few—female figures in his life
The Surprisingly Long History of ‘Choose-Your-Own-Adventure’ Stories
From the ‘I Ching’ to an upcoming Netflix rom-com, interactive fiction dares us to decide what happens next
Each Guitar Reuben Forsland Makes Tells a Story
The Canadian luthier builds custom instruments from unique materials that deliver impeccable sound
The Legend of the Music Tree
Exotic lumber salvaged from a remote forest in Belize is the world’s most coveted tonewood
Why Are Regency-Era Shows Like ‘Bridgerton’ So Popular?
An Austen expert and a period drama TV critic reflect on the enduring appeal of romance series set in turn-of-the-19th-century England
When Patsy Cline Broke Through as a Country Music Phenom
The recording star sported a homemade suit as spectacular as her voice
A Guide to ‘The Godfather’ Filming Locations in New York City
To mark the 50th anniversary of the award-winning movie, here are seven scene-setting sites worth a visit
Studio Executives Did Not Want Marlon Brando for the Title Role in ‘The Godfather’
On the film’s 50th anniversary, a Smithsonian historian reflects on the cultural phenomenon of the blockbuster hit
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