American History

The panel at Food in the Garden’s August 1 event prepares to delve into the issues surrounding community garden and food education.

Can Gardening Change the World?

The American History Museum celebrates our country's lush food history—and explores its food future—with the Food in the Garden series

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Take a Tour Through the Computer Museum of 1983

In 1979, the MIT Computer Museum was founded, and in 1983 the television show Computer Chronicles TV went to visit

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Sail-Powered Ships Are Making a Comeback

New pressures have engineers turning to old ideas, and Rolls-Royce is working on a sailing ship

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What Queen Elizabeth II Would Have Said If Nuclear War Started in the 1980s

Undelivered speeches give a glimpse into alternate realities that never came to pass

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Today’s Google Doodle Celebrates Maria Mitchell, America’s First Female Professional Astronomer

Today would have been Maria Mitchell's 195th birthday, and if she were still around she'd probably celebrate it by looking at the stars

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People Had To Be Convinced of the Usefulness of Electricity

When electricity came around, it wasn't immediately seen as a necessity

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No, You’re Probably Not Smarter Than a 1912-Era 8th Grader

How well can you do on this 101-year old quiz for Bullitt County, Kentucky, eighth graders?

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Redskins Hall of Famers Say Team Name is Probably Offensive, But Shouldn’t Change

Many Native Americans have called for the team to change their name out of respect for their culture and history

The mushroom cloud produced by the “Fat Man” bomb from the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan.

Here’s What Nagasaki Would Have Looked Like If the Tsar Bomba Had Replaced ‘Fat Man’

A Google Earth add-on helps you understand the strength of the world's nuclear arsenal

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The Ten Most Controversial Articles on Wikipedia Might Surprise You

One researcher has quantified the most controversial Wikipedia entires of all time in ten different languages

Thomas, taking notes on Gerald Ford.

Helen Thomas, Trailblazing Female Journalist, Dies at 92

Many credit Thomas with breaking the glass ceiling for women in journalism

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Take a Ride on the New York Subway Circa 1905

Pioneering cinematographer Gottfried Wilhelm “Billy” Bitzer shot this silent film about a year after the subway's first line opened.

How Other Cities Avoided Detroit’s Fate

Many places manage to avoid actually filing for bankruptcy, despite being in dire straits

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This Town Has Spent 11 Years Planning a 60 Foot Lava Lamp

Everybody loves lava lamps. But perhaps nobody loves lava lamps quite as much as the town of Soap Lake, Washington

This gold and pearl hair ornament from the days of China’s Qing Dynasty shows the symbolic significance of the phoenix in Chinese culture. Come see an exhibit at the Sackler Gallery showcasing materials from the creation of Chinese artist Xu Bing’s Phoenix Project, on display until September 2.

Hurry In! These Smithsonian Exhibitions Won’t Be Here Much Longer

Spend your remaining summer days at the museums, and don't miss out on the Smithsonian's soon-to-be-closed exhibits

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The CIA May Have Taken Cues From 1960s-Era James Bond

CIA director Allen Dulles admired James Bond creator Ian Fleming, and the two struck up a mutually beneficial relationship

The original Smokey the Bear ad

It’s a Good Thing We Have Smokey: These 1940s Fire Prevention Ads Are Something Else

Replacing racially charged and aggressive World War II imagery, Smokey the Bear is an iconic character

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Tragic Duel + 209 Years = Comedy Gold

In the centuries since Burr shot Hamilton, the duel has inspired some truly funny pop culture references

Looking west from the Apollo 11 landing site.

Legislators Want to Put a National Park on the Moon

A bill in the House of Representatives wants to protect the Apollo landing sites. But can it?

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This Town Wants to Put Its Deer on Birth Control

In Westchester County, hunting with firearms is prohibited and deer have no predators

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