American Presidents | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/american-presidents/RSS feed for American PresidentsenThu, 02 Jul 2026 11:45:00 +0000To Recreate One of the American Revolution's Most Famous Paintings, This Artist Painstakingly Crafted Miniature Wax Figures of the Nation's Foundershttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/to-recreate-one-of-the-american-revolutions-most-famous-paintings-this-artist-painstakingly-crafted-miniature-wax-figures-of-the-nations-founders-180989026/Bartlett M. Frost’s diorama is modeled after John Trumbull's depiction of the presentation of the Declaration of Independence. Newly conserved, the work is now on view at the National Portrait GalleryThu, 02 Jul 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/to-recreate-one-of-the-american-revolutions-most-famous-paintings-this-artist-painstakingly-crafted-miniature-wax-figures-of-the-nations-founders-180989026/Norman Rockwell Captured the Hustle of the West Wing in Colorful Drawings Displayed for Decades in the White House. They’re Now on Public View for the First Timehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/norman-rockwell-captured-the-hustle-of-the-west-wing-in-colorful-drawings-displayed-for-decades-in-the-white-house-theyre-now-on-public-view-for-the-first-time-180989025/The works were commissioned to humanize President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the height of World War IIFri, 26 Jun 2026 18:40:32 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/norman-rockwell-captured-the-hustle-of-the-west-wing-in-colorful-drawings-displayed-for-decades-in-the-white-house-theyre-now-on-public-view-for-the-first-time-180989025/Here's How the Obama Presidential Center Is Different From Other Presidents' Museumshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/heres-how-the-obama-presidential-center-is-different-from-other-presidents-museums-180988974/More than a library and archives, the new Chicago institution is a place for the community to gather, talk and play togetherThu, 18 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/heres-how-the-obama-presidential-center-is-different-from-other-presidents-museums-180988974/Woodrow Wilson’s Legacy Is Loaded With Good and Bad, but His Work to Even the Economic Playing Field Is Often Overlookedhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/woodrow-wilson-legacy-loaded-good-bad-work-even-economic-playing-field-often-overlooked-180988853/He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in ending WWI and strove to improve the plight of American workers. Today, his blind spots shroud most of his accomplishmentsWed, 10 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/woodrow-wilson-legacy-loaded-good-bad-work-even-economic-playing-field-often-overlooked-180988853/Some Presidents Offer More Than Just Policy. Here Are Five Who Brought Their Innovative Spirit to the Officehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/some-presidents-offer-more-just-policy-here-are-five-brought-innovative-spirit-office-180988834/One president invented campaign buttons so he could just stay home during election season. Another one rallied Americans to go to the moon. And one—only one—holds a patent.Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/some-presidents-offer-more-just-policy-here-are-five-brought-innovative-spirit-office-180988834/Theodore Roosevelt Survived an Assassination Attempt Because a Speech Tucked Inside His Pocket Slowed the Bullet. He Insisted on Delivering His Remarks Anywayhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/theodore-roosevelt-survived-an-assassination-attempt-because-a-speech-tucked-inside-his-pocket-slowed-the-bullet-he-insisted-on-delivering-his-remarks-anyway-180988911/"I am very much uninterested in whether I am shot or not," he told an audience in Milwaukee. Newly discovered documents shed light on how the 26th president wanted the incident to shape his legacyTue, 09 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/theodore-roosevelt-survived-an-assassination-attempt-because-a-speech-tucked-inside-his-pocket-slowed-the-bullet-he-insisted-on-delivering-his-remarks-anyway-180988911/At a Pivotal Moment of the Civil War, Frederick Douglass Delivered a Speech That Reframed What Was at Stake if Slavery Stoodhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/pivotal-moment-civil-war-frederick-douglass-delivered-speech-reframed-what-was-at-stake-slavery-stood-180988836/In “The Mission of the War,” America’s incomparable orator helped turn public sentiment in favor of the Union and Abraham Lincoln, beginning the process of “national regeneration”Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/pivotal-moment-civil-war-frederick-douglass-delivered-speech-reframed-what-was-at-stake-slavery-stood-180988836/When George Washington Decided It Was Time to Leave Office, He Inadvertently Set a Lasting Precedenthttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-george-washington-decided-it-was-time-to-leave-office-he-inadvertently-set-a-lasting-precedent-180988871/While history recorded his refusal to seek a third term as a legendary act of statesmanship, the opinions of the day were actually quite mixed on the issueFri, 05 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-george-washington-decided-it-was-time-to-leave-office-he-inadvertently-set-a-lasting-precedent-180988871/Smithsonian Magazine Presents: America at 250—The Revolutionary Sparkhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-revolutionary-spark-180988782/Celebrating the visionary insights & darling innovators that forged a nation.Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:04:49 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-revolutionary-spark-180988782/Ona Judge Escaped From Slavery While George Washington Was Busy Eating Dinner Inside. Now, a New Mural Honors Her Legacyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ona-judge-escaped-from-slavery-while-george-washington-was-eating-dinner-inside-now-new-mural-honors-her-legacy-180988851/The artwork in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, shows Judge arriving in the city after her journey from Philadelphia in May 1796. She remained a free woman until her death in 1848Thu, 28 May 2026 20:07:08 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ona-judge-escaped-from-slavery-while-george-washington-was-eating-dinner-inside-now-new-mural-honors-her-legacy-180988851/