African American History | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/african-american-history/RSS feed for African American HistoryenTue, 06 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000These Soldiers Were Buried in an Unmarked Grave During the Revolutionary War. Now, Historians Finally Know Their Nameshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-soldiers-were-buried-in-an-unmarked-grave-during-the-revolutionary-war-now-historians-finally-know-their-names-180989621/At a recent memorial ceremony, officials honored 28 Continental soldiers and at least 38 British soldiers who were buried in Wilmington, Delaware, nearly 250 years agoTue, 06 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-soldiers-were-buried-in-an-unmarked-grave-during-the-revolutionary-war-now-historians-finally-know-their-names-180989621/The Milwaukee Art Museum Just Returned Two Ceramics Made by Enslaved Potter David Drake to His Descendantshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-milwaukee-art-museum-just-returned-two-ceramics-made-by-enslaved-potter-david-drake-to-his-descendants-180989586/The two vessels, one of them a signed 1855 jar, are the latest to be reinstituted to Drake’s family, who are on a mission to acquire the works of their ancestorTue, 29 Sep 2026 18:07:38 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-milwaukee-art-museum-just-returned-two-ceramics-made-by-enslaved-potter-david-drake-to-his-descendants-180989586/For Years, the Smithsonian Strove to Bring the African American History and Culture Museum to the National Mall. Now, It Celebrates a Decade as a Beacon of Understanding, Community and Resiliencehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/for-years-the-smithsonian-strove-to-bring-the-african-american-history-and-culture-museum-to-the-national-mall-now-it-celebrates-a-decade-as-a-beacon-of-understanding-community-and-resilience-180989535/The museum lovingly called the "Blacksonian" chronicles the past and present and envisions the future to tell the stories of Black life in AmericaTue, 22 Sep 2026 17:55:30 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/for-years-the-smithsonian-strove-to-bring-the-african-american-history-and-culture-museum-to-the-national-mall-now-it-celebrates-a-decade-as-a-beacon-of-understanding-community-and-resilience-180989535/The Founders of the 'New York Times' Pledged to Cover 'Every Subject of Public Importance.' 175 Years Later, the Paper Continues to Publish 'All the News That's Fit to Print'https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-founders-of-the-new-york-times-pledged-to-cover-every-subject-of-public-importance-175-years-later-the-paper-continues-to-publish-all-the-news-thats-fit-to-print-180989512/Much has changed since the publication debuted on September 18, 1851. What hasn't changed, staff members say, is the paper's missionFri, 18 Sep 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-founders-of-the-new-york-times-pledged-to-cover-every-subject-of-public-importance-175-years-later-the-paper-continues-to-publish-all-the-news-thats-fit-to-print-180989512/Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III Announces Retirement as Head of the Smithsonian After 38 Years of Service to the Institutionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/secretary-lonnie-bunch-announces-retirement-head-smithsonian-38-years-service-institution-180989460/With a storied career dating back to the 1970s, Bunch leaves a remarkable legacy, most notably the founding of the National Museum of African American History and CultureTue, 08 Sep 2026 16:18:35 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/secretary-lonnie-bunch-announces-retirement-head-smithsonian-38-years-service-institution-180989460/A Historic Alabama Hotel Linked to the Civil Rights Movement Is Falling Apart. Can the Conservationists Fighting to Save It Turn the Tide?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/historic-alabama-hotel-linked-civil-rights-movement-is-falling-apart-can-conservationists-fighting-to-save-it-turn-the-tide-180989407/Selma's Edistone Hotel has witnessed pivotal chapters in American history, from Reconstruction to "Bloody Sunday." Now, after years of neglect and a recent wall collapse, the Conservation Fund is working to secure its futureThu, 27 Aug 2026 18:35:02 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/historic-alabama-hotel-linked-civil-rights-movement-is-falling-apart-can-conservationists-fighting-to-save-it-turn-the-tide-180989407/To Dismantle the Concept of Separate but Equal, Thurgood Marshall Methodically Devised a Winning Strategy: Divide and Conquerhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/dismantle-concept-separate-equal-thurgood-marshall-methodically-devised-winning-strategy-divide-conquer-180989278/While other activists aimed to take down Jim Crow in one fell swoop, the future Supreme Court justice compiled a series of wins that ultimately added up to an undeniable resolutionWed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/dismantle-concept-separate-equal-thurgood-marshall-methodically-devised-winning-strategy-divide-conquer-180989278/