We’re not entirely sure of his birthdate more than 250 years ago, but when Jacques-Louis Macie, the illegitimate son of Hugh Percy, the 1st Duke of Northumberland, was born secretly in Paris, few would have known he was born under a very lucky star indeed. Continue reading A series of fortunate events
James Gagliardi, a self-described “plant geek,” used his knowledge to narrow an international search that resulted in the rescue of an abused and exploited child. Continue reading A humble horticulturist is a secret superhero
Today marks the 76th anniversary of the bombing of the Pearl Harbor naval base by the Japanese Imperial Navy. In commemoration of this anniversary, Patri O’Gan shares some letters from the collections of the American History Museum written by a civilian, Beth Slingerland, as she watched the attack from her home in the hills above Pearl Harbor. Continue reading Eyewitness to a ‘Day of Infamy:’ Commemorating Pearl Harbor
Here are eleven titles that intrigued and thrilled Smithsonian’s knowledge seekers this year. Continue reading Smithsonian Scholars Pick Their Favorite Books of 2018
Many of us associate mistletoe with the annual tradition of hanging it in the doorway in hopes of a Christmas kiss, but that lingering whisper of old Norse mythology is just one aspect of this intriguing plant that exists all over the world. Continue reading From pagan magic to cancer cure? The mysteries of mistletoe.
To mark World AIDS Day, Katherine Ott takes us back almost 40 years when all hell broke loose as people began to sicken and die from a mysterious and frightening disease that became a global pandemic. Continue reading Silence = Death: The beginning of the epidemic
The Smithsonian launched its latest initiative, “Because of Her Story,” Nov. 13. Continue reading Because of Her Story
A self-taught illustrator, Vichai Milikul has been creating meticulous scientific drawings of the minutiae of mosquitoes and other insects for more than 50 years. Continue reading Drawing on a half-century’s experience
Join us on a brief tour of some highlights from a year the rocked America with seismic changes in political and popular culture. Continue reading A defining year: 1968
Nanci Edwards shares a family letter that offers a glimpse into what the holiday was like for a young Union soldier spending his first Thanksgiving away from home. Continue reading Baked beans, coffee and bread: A Civil War Thanksgiving
Love (and cocktails) are in the air this holiday season! Continue reading love actually happy hour
Secretary Skorton considers America's complicated relationship with Native Americans and helps set the record straight on a meal that was more of a snack than a feast. Continue reading The Invention of Thanksgiving
Kris Hamilton introduces Jim Peterson, who volunteers with the Smithsonian Call Center and at the National Museum of Natural History. Continue reading Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Peterson
This week was marked by news from across the pond and from right in our own backyard. Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Oct. 28 – Nov. 3, 2018
December 12, 1844. Sen. Benjamin Tappan introduces a bill to establish the Smithsonian Institution, with an emphasis on "useful sciences," especially agriculture. We don't do that much farming these days. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 12, 1844
