History / Video
The Descendants: Neikoye Flowers as David Miles Moore Jr
Smithsonian magazine commissioned Drew Gardner for a project that connects Black Americans today to their lost ancestry. Read about Gardner’s project and process, as well as more details about the …
The Dark and Deadly History of the Plague
What caused the Plague? And what methods did people use to combat the spread? Learn about its origins, past outbreaks (including the Black Death), and the long-lasting impact of its …
It’s a tradition that dates back more than 100 years, but have you ever wondered why? Learn more about why we cast our votes on a seemingly random weekday - …
The Rise and Fall of the Aztec Civilization
Explore the history of the Aztecs, their incredible achievements in art, architecture, and warfare, as well as the factors that led to their decline. —- For more videos from Smithsonian …
5 Unexpected Facts About George Washington
Explore the lesser-known details of the founder’s childhood, home life and career and gain a deeper understanding of his contributions to the United States. —- For more videos from Smithsonian …
What Really Happened With the Political Mayhem of the Election of 1800?
Two titans of the era went head-to-head in a heated race for the presidency. The stakes were high. The very future of a young nation hung in the balance. Join …
How One Photographer Recreated 19th Century Portraits With the Descendants of Civil War Heroes
Smithsonian magazine commissioned Drew Gardner for a project that connects Black Americans today to their lost ancestry. Read about Gardner’s project and process, as well as more details about the …
5 Surprising Facts About Pompeii
This immersive archaeological exploration of Pompeii, a once-thriving Roman city, will transport you back in time – before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
5 Surprising Facts About Rosa Parks
Largely recognized for her leading role in the bus boycott of 1955, Rosa Parks was an enduring activist for the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout her numerous decades of service, Parks …
What Was on the Menu at the First Thanksgiving?
Follow us to the very first Thanksgiving celebration, where the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag came together for a historic feast.
The Shocking History and Legacy of the Salem Witch Trials
What fueled the frenzy that sent so many to their deaths in colonial America? And how did Americans reckon with the aftermath of the panic? —- For more videos from …
5 Surprising Facts About Lincoln
The 16th president is widely celebrated for his role in helping to abolish slavery and preserving the Union during the Civil War. But did you know these facts about this …
The Untold Secrets of King Tut’s Tomb
Do you ever wonder what secrets lie beneath the sands of Egypt? Prepare to be astonished as we unveil the untouched tomb of King Tutankhamun.
What Happened to Henry VIII’s Six Wives?
From tumultuous love affairs to violent betrayals, the six wives of Henry VIII all left marks on the Tudor dynasty – and shaped the course of history. Read more about …
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Is One of America’s Greatest National Monuments
Lonnie Bunch, the director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, discusses the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial, one of America’s greatest monuments.
Cat Mummies Were a Big Thing in Ancient Egypt
Archaelogists uncover what appear to be cat mummies–a common practice around the Ptolemaic period. But an x-ray scan reveals a surprise: the mummies are just bandages. So what happened?
This WW2 RAF Bomber Dealt a Deathblow to the German Economy
In WW2, the British made destroying German dams a key strategic target in order to kneecap the German industrial effort. To accomplish this, they needed a special plane to deliver …
A Fascinating Structure Inside Ancient Tomb: “False Door” to the Underworld
Archaeologists uncover an exciting find: a tomb that predates most of the others in the area by around 2,000 years. Inside, is a series of perfectly preserved inscriptions on a …
The Ancient Greeks Became Fascinated with Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greeks were endlessly fascinated by Egyptian culture, and especially the Egyptian Gods whom they saw as versions of their own. So much so that they ended up adopting Egyptian …
X-Ray of an Ancient Mummy Reveals Details of Noblewoman’s Life
X-rays of the mummy of an ancient Egyptian noblewoman reveal an assortment of health issues: from curvature of the spine, known as scoliosis, to other deformities that could be the …
The Wright exhibition team was performing at an air meet in St. Louis when pilot Arch Hoxsey crossed paths with Teddy Roosevelt on October 11, 1910. At the time, Roosevelt …
Chuck Yeager Press Conference, 1953
By 1953, six years after the Bell X-1 first went supersonic, that airplane and others were routinely flying at more than twice the speed of sound. On December 17, 1953the …
How the Meaning of Thanksgiving Has Changed
The holiday was used as a call for freedom during the civil rights movement and as a day of mourning by Native Americans.
A Coffin Is Unearthed Using Ancient Egyptian Tech
Archaeologists in Saqqara make a dazzling discovery: a late period Egyptian coffin with a gilded mask. Now, to bring it to the surface, they use a pulley known as a …
Elevating the Forgotten Histories of Black Women Through Folk Music
The power behind the music of Our Native Daughters comes from giving voice to the struggles of those who came before—and few have struggled to be heard as much as …
What It Was Like to Be Gay During WWII
In the early 20th century, the medical establishment became fixated with the idea that LGBTQ people could be “cured.” To achieve this, they turned to a litany of brutal practices, …
Scotland’s Most Mysterious Stone Age Settlements
The Orkneys, an archipelago of islands off the northern coast of Scotland, are home to some of the greatest neolithic treasures in western Europe: from the settlement of Skara Brae …
Was a Jamestown Governor the Father of U.S. Democracy?
In 1619, George Yeardley, the newly appointed governor of Jamestown, made history: He convened 22 elected members of a burgeoning commonwealth, creating the first democratic assembly in America.
This Dangerous Trick Wowed Houdini’s Fans
The water torture cell escape was arguably Houdini’s most memorable stunt. So much so that many people wrongly assume it killed him–a myth invented by the 1953 movie about his …
Stratford-upon-Avon Is a Magnet for Shakespeare Lovers
To soar over Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire is to be transported back in time to the age of William Shakespeare, a man born in humble circumstances who would go on to …
Thomas Cromwell: Henry VIII’s Partner in Crime
In 1536, Thomas Cromwell spotted an opportunity to enrich his master, Henry VIII, and further increase his own standing: the dissolution of the monasteries and claiming their wealth for the …
How the Titanic Sinking Became Fake News
Hours after the Titanic sank, news organizations latched onto a telegraph message that seemed to say that the ship and all its passengers had been rescued. It would turn out …
Page 2 of 9