https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/pop-culture/RSS feed for Pop CultureenFri, 17 Jul 2026 21:11:15 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/luke-skywalkers-lightsaber-and-severed-hand-from-famed-darth-vader-duel-sold-for-a-record-more-than-3-million-at-auction-180989144/The item, which became the most-valued on-screen Star Wars prop ever sold at auction, was born from cast-off parts from a camera shopFri, 17 Jul 2026 21:11:15 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/luke-skywalkers-lightsaber-and-severed-hand-from-famed-darth-vader-duel-sold-for-a-record-more-than-3-million-at-auction-180989144/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/was-there-ever-an-original-version-of-the-odyssey-and-do-we-need-to-worry-about-what-homer-would-think-180989143/The earliest surviving fragments of the epic poem—the subject of Christopher Nolan's latest Hollywood blockbuster—date back more than 2,000 years. But oral storytelling about a hero named Odysseus is much olderFri, 17 Jul 2026 18:40:24 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/was-there-ever-an-original-version-of-the-odyssey-and-do-we-need-to-worry-about-what-homer-would-think-180989143/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/thisviking-longship-crossed-the-atlantic-before-starring-in-christopher-nolans-odyssey-as-odysseus-greek-galley-180989137/Hollywood stars including Matt Damon went to rowing camp to learn how to operate the vessel for the new filmThu, 16 Jul 2026 20:27:45 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/thisviking-longship-crossed-the-atlantic-before-starring-in-christopher-nolans-odyssey-as-odysseus-greek-galley-180989137/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/every-generation-teenagers-redefines-pop-culture-through-favorite-music-fads-movies-trends-180988821/When new government policies allowed kids more time to grown up, the teenager was born. And every decade or so, they’ve changed the ways they entertain themselves … and everyone elseWed, 17 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/every-generation-teenagers-redefines-pop-culture-through-favorite-music-fads-movies-trends-180988821/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/cellphones-were-created-to-untether-us-then-they-got-smart-and-evolved-into-an-omnipotent-appendage-180988882/One device made it possible to hold a telephone, a watch, a calculator, the mailbox, credit cards, a meteorologist, a television, a detailed map of the globe, millions of songs and books … all in one hand.Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/cellphones-were-created-to-untether-us-then-they-got-smart-and-evolved-into-an-omnipotent-appendage-180988882/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-astounding-true-story-of-americas-comic-book-creators-from-the-yellow-kid-to-superman-to-webcomics-180988883/A groundbreaking cartoonist paired images with a running narrative in 1896 to create the first comic strip. They've mutated into books, blockbuster movies and Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novelsTue, 16 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-astounding-true-story-of-americas-comic-book-creators-from-the-yellow-kid-to-superman-to-webcomics-180988883/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/queen-soap-operas-started-off-telling-stories-about-drama-missing-own-life-180988817/Irna Phillips was a radio voice actor in Chicago when she was asked to create a serialized program. From that, she created a legacy that includes ‘Guiding Light’ and ‘As the World Turns’Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/queen-soap-operas-started-off-telling-stories-about-drama-missing-own-life-180988817/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/they-were-just-having-back-school-party-apartment-rec-room-little-did-know-creating-hip-hip-180988814/The music genre that became a global sensation started with some creative teens just getting together and riffing rhymes to DJ Kool Herc’s curated beatsMon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/they-were-just-having-back-school-party-apartment-rec-room-little-did-know-creating-hip-hip-180988814/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-visions-of-the-past-and-future-in-this-new-york-city-exhibition-on-the-renaissance-roots-of-tarot-cards-180988940/The Morgan Library & Museum traces the history of beautifully illustrated tarot cards from their origins as a card game to modern occult fascinationThu, 11 Jun 2026 18:52:58 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-visions-of-the-past-and-future-in-this-new-york-city-exhibition-on-the-renaissance-roots-of-tarot-cards-180988940/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/whats-behind-steven-spielbergs-lifelong-obsession-with-flying-saucers-and-extraterrestrial-visitors-180988903/Half a century after "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," the director returns to the subject of UFOs with "Disclosure Day." His science fiction films are informed by his fascination with alien encounters in American suburbiaThu, 11 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/whats-behind-steven-spielbergs-lifelong-obsession-with-flying-saucers-and-extraterrestrial-visitors-180988903/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/asphalt-is-the-canvas-for-this-years-world-street-painting-festival-in-joplin-missouri-which-honors-100-years-of-route-66-180988868/Immersive paintings, which function as massive optical illusions, pay tribute to the "Mother Road" and its influence on American cultureMon, 01 Jun 2026 17:30:55 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/asphalt-is-the-canvas-for-this-years-world-street-painting-festival-in-joplin-missouri-which-honors-100-years-of-route-66-180988868/