Remains of American Soldier Captured by the Japanese During World War II Identified Nearly 80 Years Later
After his plane was shot down, Glenn H. Hodak was sent to a military prison in Tokyo, where he was killed by U.S. firebombing in May 1945
These Were the Most—and Least—Visited National Parks in 2024
America’s national park sites saw a record number of visitors last year. Great Smoky Mountains, Zion and Grand Canyon national parks are perennial favorites among travelers
Neither Snow Nor Rain Nor Heat Nor Gloom Stopped the United States Post Office Department From Launching on This Day in 1792
The American Revolution cemented the importance of a federally protected post office in the minds of the people and politicians
Driver Vandalizes Threatened Plants in Death Valley National Park
National Park Service officials haven’t identified the person or people who illegally drove more than two miles across Eureka Dunes, home to the federally protected Eureka dunegrass
President Trump Orders the U.S. to Exit the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Agreement on His First Day in Office
The actions will take effect in a year, reinstating withdrawals he had set in motion during his first term
FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3 From Food, Beverages and Ingested Drugs, Citing Link to Cancer in Lab Rats
The synthetic additive found in thousands of food products will now be phased out by 2027, but advocates say the agency’s move is long overdue
Biden Establishes Two New National Monuments in California
The Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument will protect more than 848,000 acres of public lands
Alcohol Consumption Raises the Risk of Seven Cancers, Says U.S. Surgeon General in a New Health Advisory
The “Nation’s Doctor” has called for a cancer warning label on alcoholic beverages and suggests the recommended limits for alcohol consumption should be reassessed
The Bald Eagle Just Became America’s National Bird. What Took So Long?
An eagle enthusiast has been lobbying for the designation for years. On Christmas Eve, President Biden signed legislation making it official
Veterans Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, Hitler’s Last Major Attack on the Western Front
Veterans and dignitaries gathered in Belgium and Luxembourg this month to reflect on the deadly World War II conflict that paved the way for a full Nazi defeat
Who Was Frances Perkins? Meet the Trailblazing Workers’ Rights Advocate Whose Homestead Just Became a National Monument
Perkins was America’s first female cabinet secretary and the longest-serving Secretary of Labor
‘Polarization’ Is Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2024
The winning word beat out finalists such as “demure,” “pander,” “totality,” “fortnight,” “allision” and “democracy”
A Federal Agent’s Laptop Held the Keys to Seize $3.6 Billion in Stolen Bitcoin. Here’s How It Ended Up at the Smithsonian
Soon to be on display at the National Museum of American History, the laptop is the centerpiece of a criminal case that shows an evolving understanding of cryptocurrency
Jill Biden Unveils a Reimagined White House Tour, Which Invites Visitors to ‘Touch, Hear and See’ History
The public tours of the historic residence hadn’t been overhauled in decades. For two years, the first lady’s office has been working to make them more interactive and educational
The ‘Super Bowl of Wildlife Art’ Is All About Ducks, and It Has Protected America’s Wetlands for 90 Years
Introduced in 1934, the federal duck stamp contest has raised more than $1.2 billion and protected at least 6.5 million acres across the nation. Now, an art exhibition at Connecticut’s Bruce Museum honors the competition’s history
Biden Issues a ‘Long Overdue’ Formal Apology for Native American Boarding Schools
The president atoned for the federal government’s role in forcing Native American children into boarding schools, where many were abused and more than 900 died
These Are Americans’ Biggest Fears in 2024, as the Country Is ‘Becoming More Afraid’
Government corruption, loved ones becoming ill or dying, cyberterrorism and nuclear weapons topped the list of Chapman University’s annual survey
The Smithsonian National Zoo’s New Giant Pandas Will Make Their Public Debut on January 24
A pair of 3-year-old giant pandas—a male named Bao Li and a female called Qing Bao—have officially arrived at the Zoo, where they will first acclimate to their new home
Two and a Half Years After the Russian Invasion, Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage Remains at Risk
A $1 million grant from the U.S. is the latest effort to support Ukraine’s fight to preserve its rich past
This Green-Flashing Firefly Could Become the First Ever Listed as Endangered in the U.S.
The Fish and Wildlife Service will consider granting federal protections to the Bethany Beach firefly, which is rapidly losing its coastal habitat to development and climate change
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