What ‘Lucy,’ One of the World’s Most Important Fossils, Has Taught Scientists in the 50 Years Since Her Discovery
The famous early human is still providing lessons to anthropologists about prehistoric Earth and its inhabitants
How an Engraving of Queen Victoria Ushered in the Era of the Bouquet Holder in England
The monarch set fashion trends during her time, and the flower holder became a sought-after accessory in Victorian society
Can Insects See Color? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
A Federal Agent’s Laptop Held the Keys to Seize $3.6 Billion in Stolen Bitcoin. Here’s How It Ended Up at the Smithsonian
Soon to be on display at the National Museum of American History, the laptop is the centerpiece of a criminal case that shows an evolving understanding of cryptocurrency
The ‘Penicillin Girls’ Made One of the World’s Most Life-Saving Discoveries Possible
The true, forgotten and sometimes-stinky history of the cohort who took Alexander Fleming’s innovation and forever changed the face of modern medicine
Discover the Remarkable Paintings of Three Japanese Americans Whose Life Stories Are Told Through Their Work
A new exhibition spotlights a trio who pushed the boundaries of American art and illustrated the experiences of World War II incarceration
See a Film That Reimagines History on the Malaysian Island That Served as a Refugee Site After the Vietnam War
The work, now on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, tells the story of two characters on the island—the last people alive in the world
A Cloned Ferret Has Given Birth for the First Time in History, Marking a Win for Her Endangered Species
Antonia, a cloned black-footed ferret at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, has produced two healthy offspring that will help build genetic diversity in their recovering population
This Stunning New Atlas Explores Humanity’s Ancient Relationship With Space and the Universe
Written by the former chief historian of NASA, the book examines the evolution of our cosmic understanding—from early civilizations to the present day
Quincy Jones Was a ‘Musician’s Musician’ Who Was Uniquely Beloved in the Cutthroat Music Industry
A Smithsonian curator reflects back on the artistic legend, a “Renaissance man” with 28 Grammys to his name, who died Sunday at 91 years old
See What Happened When One Museum Asked Artists to Define ‘Home’
The Smithsonian Design Triennial presents 25 commissions that explore the physical and conceptual ideas of shelter and refuge
George Washington’s Farewell to the Nation Marked the Birth of American Democracy
In 1796, the first president voluntarily left office, cementing the significance of a lofty ideal for his young country
This Captivating Guide Uncovers the History and Mystery of Dinosaurs in 50 Fossils
A paleontologist at the Natural History Museum in London chronicles the age of the famous and fascinating massive reptiles
How Recovering the History of a Little-Known Lakota Massacre Could Heal Generational Pain
When the U.S. Army massacred a Lakota village at Blue Water, dozens of plundered artifacts ended up in the Smithsonian. The unraveling of this long-buried atrocity is forging a path toward reconciliation
Why the Creator of One of the First ‘Lie Detectors’ Lived to Regret His Invention
The early polygraph machine was considered the most scientific way to detect deception—but that was a myth
From Candy to Lightbulbs, Felix Gonzalez-Torres Showed Life and Loss Through Everyday Objects
A new exhibition co-presented by the National Portrait Gallery and the Archives of American Art explores the seminal artist’s work
Could Anyone Bring an Extinct Animal Back to Life? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
How an Indigenous Weaver’s Mastery of Color Infuses Her Tapestries With a Life Force
The work of Diné artist DY Begay, now on view at the National Museum of the American Indian, blends tradition and modernity
How a Dead Seal Sparked Theodore Roosevelt’s Lifelong Passion for Conservation
As a child, the future president acquired a marine animal’s skull, which became the first specimen in his natural history collection
Historic New Shepard Rocket Booster and Crew Capsule Will Go on Display at the Air and Space Museum
The two artifacts donated by Blue Origin achieved record-breaking feats and will extend the museum’s story of trailblazing space travel into the present
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