Are ‘Gripping,’ ‘Brilliant’ Book Blurbs on Their Way Out?
In a provocative essay, a major publisher announced that its authors will no longer be required to solicit glowing reviews for their book jackets, arguing that blurbs don’t reflect a title’s true merit
Elite Germanic Pagans Buried ‘Devil’s Money’ as Offerings for Their Gods at This Ancient Cult Site
Researchers excavated the deposits of coins and jewelry in the Netherlands, near the German border
One of Britain’s Most Beloved Royal Couples Wed on This Day in 1840
Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert popularized white wedding dresses. Later, her mourning of his passing cemented the image of a grieving widow in black
An American Toy Company Produced the World’s First Frisbees, Beloved by Humans and Dogs, on This Day in 1957
The flying disc had humble beginnings but has since become an international phenomenon
Scientists Discover Celtic Society Where Men Left Home to Join Their Bride’s Community
DNA extracted from 57 individuals buried in a 2,000-year-old cemetery provides evidence of a “matrilocal” community in Iron Age Britain, a new study suggests
Construction Workers Discover Ancient Stone Coffin Filled With Plaster While Expanding Highway in England
The intricately crafted coffin dates back more than 1,500 years. Researchers say it weighs around 1,650 pounds, “comparable to an adult male polar bear”
Archaeologists Unearth Early Medieval Sword Engraved With Mysterious Runes in a Cemetery in England
Dating to the fifth and sixth centuries C.E., the burials held a trove of grave goods—but the team was particularly impressed by the sword, which was covered in intricate decorations
Anonymous Donors Across the Country Are Dropping Valuable Coins Into the Salvation Army’s Red Kettles
Many donors search their pockets for spare change, but some generous individuals are giving away historic coins worth thousands of dollars during the charity’s annual fundraising campaign
How People of the Past Predicted the Future, From Spider Divination to Bibliomancy
A new exhibition spotlights the ways in which cultures around the world have sought answers in the face of uncertainty
See the Mysterious Winter Parade That Brings Tourists to the Remote Island of Sardinia
Since ancient times, a town on the Italian isle has marked the season with a grim costumed festival
The First Ever Times Square Ball Drop Was Held Atop the New York Times Headquarters in 1907, Starting a Cherished Tradition
Time balls date back to the early 19th century, when they signaled the time to passing sailors. Now they’re part of the pomp and circumstance of the new year
Seventy-Seven Fascinating Finds Revealed in 2024, From a Mysterious ‘Anomaly’ Near the Great Pyramid of Giza to a Missing Portrait of Henry VIII
The year’s most exciting discoveries included musket balls fired in the early days of the American Revolution, a lost composition by Mozart and a medieval chess piece
The Best Board Games of 2024 Will Excite Players of All Ages
Whether you love cheese, wordplay, “Star Wars” or Japanese culture, this year’s list has something for everyone in what turned out to be a fantastic year for board gamers
Before the Yule Lads Evolved Into Icelandic Versions of Santa Claus, They Terrorized Children Into Following the Rules
Today, the 13 brothers are said to leave presents in well-behaved youngsters’ shoes. But they used to be depicted as frightening monsters
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
Ho, Ho, Ho! 15 Festive Photos of Santa Claus to Get You Into the Christmas Spirit
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and ol’ St. Nick is spreading holiday cheer for all to hear
‘A Christmas Carol’ Marvelously Captured the Holiday’s Victorian Spirit and Inspired New Traditions for Centuries to Come
Published on this day in 1843, at a time when Christmas was undergoing great transformation, Charles Dickens’ novel centered the virtues of kindness, charity and reform
A Mysterious Boulder Carved to Look Like a Tortoise Shell May Offer Evidence of the Middle East’s Earliest Ritual Ceremonies
The 35,000-year-old rock was found in Manot Cave, which was inhabited by both prehistoric humans and Neanderthals
An Artist Noticed a Leak in His Studio. The Repairs Revealed a Mysterious Ancient Engraving Hidden Inside the Walls
Jean Charles Blais had no idea that his studio in southern France was hiding a Roman funerary inscription dating to the first or second century C.E.
The Italian Town That Becomes a Giant, Goose-Themed Board Game Each Fall
With teams competing in outlandish physical challenges, the Zogo dell’Oca of Mirano showcases Italy’s flair for invented traditions
Hundreds of Curious Cats Contemplated Ancient Egyptian Artifacts During a Series of ‘Meowseum Nights’ in China
For ten nights, animal lovers brought their furry friends to “On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt” at the Shanghai Museum, where many examples of ancient cat imagery are on display
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