American History

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The Long History of Americans Debating Empty Chairs

The history of debating empty chairs stretches back to at least 1924

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What Do American History Museum Curators Collect at the Republican National Convention?

Follow the Smithsonian experts as they gather memorabilia in Tampa

The X-ray on the left shows one of the girls’ hands at 2-and-a-half-years old. On the right, her same hand is shown at 12-years old.

50-Year Mystery Surrounding Death of Two Sisters Solved

Doctors discover the genetic cause of an extremely rare, almost always fatal condition called Winchester syndrome

Neil Armstrong giving a different speech as part of a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony.

Neil Armstrong’s Previously Unheard Speech, Recorded One Year Ago

Recorded surreptitiously, the 43 minute-long speech captures Armstrong's presentation one year prior to his passing

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Watch This Decades-Old WWII Bomb Go Boom

A World War II bomb was discovered by workers the on the site of an old bar that was being demolished, and then blown up the next day

Here’s How Hurricane Naming Works

Who gets to chose hurricane names, and how do they do it?

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Playing Video Games At Home Turns 40

The Magnavox Odyssey went on sale 40 years ago, sparking the home video game revolution

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PHOTOS: Paraphernalia from the Political Campaigns of Yore

The great American pastime of politics and posturing has deep roots, but have we become more or less civil?

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Relive the 1940s Through These Old Color Photographs

The Library of Congress has more than 1600 color photos of WWII-era America

Five Epic Patent Wars That Don’t Involve Apple

The recent Apple patent decision was a big one, but here are some historical patent wars you might not have heard of

A row of brand new Cadillacs awaits drivers. 1917

Cadillacs, 110 Years and Going…Biking?

A staple in the collections, Cadillac marks its 110-year anniversary today as the company looks to branch out and go biking

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Document Deep Dive: What Did the Zimmermann Telegram Say?

See how British cryptologists cracked the coded message that propelled the United States into World War I

Comic Phyllis Diller, the Betty Friedan of Comedy, Dies at 95

A collection of the standup comic's jokes, costumes and even her signature prop–the cigarette holder–reside at the American History Museum

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Today We Celebrate the Short, Unhappy Life of H.P. Lovecraft

"Weird fiction" fans toast today to the birth of Howard Phillips Lovecraft, aka H.P. Lovecraft

Left, the Kingdom Tower of Jeddah. Right, the Tower of Babel.

Better, Faster, Taller – How Big can Buildings Really Get?

The race for the tallest structure in the world has been with us since humans built structures, and today it is going strong. But where's the limit?

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There Is No Such Thing As “The” United States Constitution

"There is no unique, tangible, singular, definitive Constitution," says information scientist Joe Janes

Julia Child Loved Science but Would Hate Today’s Food

It's her birthday today, and while the master chef loved science she would have hated today's laboratory produced food

Julia Child’s Kitchen on display at the NMAH is exactly as it was in Child’s home in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1961.

Happy 100th Birthday, Julia Child!

Child's kitchen is back at the American History Museum in time for what would have been her 100th birthday

Julia Child would have marked her 100th birthday this August 15.

Celebrate Julia Child’s 100th Birthday with the Smithsonian

The American History Museum has a full day of screenings, book signings and special events for the famous chef's birthday

How Lincoln’s Assassination Launched the Funeral Industry

The doctor who embalmed Abraham Lincoln changed the way Americans think about funerals.

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