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American History

The first page of Theodore Roosevelt's speech that was damaged when a bullet tore through it.

The Speech That Saved Teddy Roosevelt’s Life

Campaigning for president, Roosevelt was spared almost certain death when 50 pieces of paper slowed an assailant’s bullet headed for his chest

According to oral tradition, the Mayflower Pilgrims landed near Plymouth Rock in 1620—but first-person accounts of their arrival make no mention of it.

Did the Pilgrims Really Land on Plymouth Rock and More Questisons From our Readers

Where do hurricanes start, the Big Bang, sea gulls and other answers from the Smithsonian’s experts

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Sandy Unearths Skeleton on New Haven Green

Hurricane Sandy delivered a gruesome mystery, just in time for Halloween

A Tale of Two Screams: Which Stock Horror Scream is Better?

Often, screams in horror movies come from stock files. Chances are, they’re one of two stock screams: the Wilhelm or the Howie

We love candy, to eat and to look at. Big Suckers, from the portfolio Seven Still Lifes and a Silver Landscape. Wayne Thiebaud, 1971.

Candy From Halloween’s Past

From candy’s lackluster beginnings to the Halloween boom, Smithsonian shares some tricks and treats

William H. Johnson donated his work to the American Art Museum, allowing for a look at the growing legacy of the late artist.

Events Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Empires, Spooky Stories and American Artists

This week, a look at changing relationships with Latin America, Halloween stories and the rise of the late William H. Johnson

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Top Ten Most Damaging U.S. Hurricanes

Surprisingly, Hurricane Katrina is not the most damaging storm on record

Years before the infamous events of Salem, Easthampton, New York was riddled with allegations of witchcraft. Pictured is an old windmill next to a graveyard in the small town.

Before Salem, There Was the Not-So-Wicked Witch of the Hamptons

Why was Goody Garlick, accused of witchcraft in 1658, spared the fate that would befall the women of Massachusetts decades later

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Sneak Peek at “FOOD: Transforming the American Table, 1950-2000″

Set to open Nov. 20, the new exhibit explores the diversity and development of American food cultures

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PHOTOS: Stanley on the Move

The little car that could, the driverless vehicle made its way from the American History Museum to the Air and Space Museum Wednesday morning

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Q&A: Joe Bataan, The King of Latin Soul

Mixing soul music with cultural pride in hits like “Ordinary Guy” and “Gypsy Woman,” Joe Bataan speaks to the times and to the generations

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Robot Car Stanley is on the Move

The driverless car that made history navigating 132 miles in the desert heads across the Mall to the Air and Space Museum for a new exhibit

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A Brief History of the Teleprompter

How a makeshift show business memory aid became the centerpiece of modern political campaigning

In 2012 Election, Gender Gap Is As Wide As It’s Ever Been

Men and women haven’t agreed in three elections: 1996, 2000 and 2004

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Two Pillars of Skepticism—Leon Jaroff and Paul Kurtz—Died This Weekend

Leon Jaroff and Paul Kurtz both died this weekend. Together, the two men represent some of the founding ideas of the modern skeptic community

Meet the idea killers.

Don’t Waste Your Best Ideas on Focus Groups

The best ideas would do terribly in focus groups, says designer Gianfranco Zaccai, because people don’t know that they’re going to like new things

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1950s Game Show Guest Had a Secret: He Saw Lincoln’s Assassination

A 5-year old Samuel J. Seymour saw Lincoln’s assassination, lived to talk about it on a 1956 game show

Start celebrating Día de los Muertos early with activities at the Smithsonian.

Events October 19-21: Star Music, Hollywood’s Gettysburg and Día de los Muertos

Hear from an astrophysicist who danced her PhD thesis, watch a classic Civil War film and start celebrating Day of the Dead a little early

161 Years Ago Today Ahab First Battled the White Whale, and Critics Hated It

Today marks the 161st anniversary of Moby Dick, the epic seafaring tale by Herman Melville, and Google is celebrating with its own Doodle

From Pardeon Records, A Grain of Sand was considered the first Asian American album in the music industry.

Joann Stevens: Arts Righting History

Japanese singer-dancer Nobuko Miyamoto will speak about her role in making a place for Asian Americans in music October 19th

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