No one can keep up with everything, so let us do it for you. We’ll gather the top Smithsonian stories from across the country and around the world each week so you’ll never be at a loss for conversation around the water cooler.
Smithsonian—September 9, 2016
After just moments in the air, flight 1549 collided with a flock of geese. (Photo by USACE NY / Flickr CC)
Forensic ornithologist Carla Dove shares her story of analyzing the bird remains or “snarge” scraped from the engines of flight 1549. Read more from Smithsonian.com
The Atlantic–September 13, 2016
Alvaro Dominguez for The Atlantic
Cultural institutions learn to love selfies, tailor-made apps and social media. Read more from The Atlantic
NPR “All Things Considered”–September 12, 2016
As the Smithsonian prepares to open its National Museum of African American History and Culture in a couple weeks, NPR’s Ari Shapiro speaks with the museum’s architect, David Adjaye. Read the transcript from NPR’s “All Things Considered”
The Washington Post–September 12, 2016
An untitled acrylic on canvas by Gene Davis is inscribed to his assistant Frances Chapman, herself a noted artist, “To Fran my faithful collaborator, with Love, Gene Davis, Jan. 3, 1972. (Courtesy of Quinn’s Auction Galleries)
Although painter Frances Chapman was best known for her works of photorealism, she created abstract works early in her career. So it’s not surprising that the Arlington artist proudly displayed one of Gene Davis’s famous striped paintings in her home. Read more from The Washington Post
CBS News/”CBS This Morning”–September 12, 2016
“CBS This Morning” co-hosts Norah O’Donnell, Charlie Rose and Gayle King (L to R) speak with Gen. Colin Powell outside the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 12, 2016. (Courtesy CBS News)
Colin Powell, former secretary of state and retired four-star general, is a part of the experience at the National Museum of African American History and Culture on many fronts. Not only were he and his wife Alma donors to the museum and sit on its council, but the barriers he broke in both the military and the government serve as prime examples of the broader contributions African-Americans have made to the country and its history. Read more and watch the video from “CBS This Morning”
Washingtonian–September 13, 2016
The National Museum of African American History and Culture. Photo by Alan Karchmer
President Obama cuts the ribbon on the National Museum of African American History and Culture, fulfilling a 100-year-old dream: Visitors can witness the entire arc of the black experience in America, from the Atlantic slave trade to the Black Lives Matter movement. But the process leading to this day wasn’t without false starts and controversies. Here, a few milestones in the long journey to make the museum a reality. Read more from the Washingtonian
Rolling Stone–September 14, 2016
Bjarke Ingels’ architecture firm, BIG, has 100 employees in Copenhagen and 150 in New York, with 40 different projects in the works worldwide. (Photo by Pari Dukovic for Rolling Stone)
Inside the futuristic projects, hyperactive life and controversial success of the world’s hottest architect. Read more from Rolling Stone
The Huffington Post–September 14, 2016
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA.) introduced a House bill Tuesday in his third attempt to create a National Latino American Museum on the National Mall. (Jonathan Ernst / Reuters)
“The more we give people the chance to see what it means to be an American Latino, the better off we are,” Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) said. Read more from The Huffington Post
The Washington Post–September 14, 2016
Primitive farming ants atop their fungus crop. (Photo by Ted Schultz / National Museum of Natural History)
Tales from the Vault: A monthly series. Read more from The Washington Post
BuzzFeed–September 12, 2016
Bicycle components from “Things Come Apart” (Photo by Todd McClellan)
The Smithsonian’s “Things Come Apart” is a traveling exhibition that takes a fascinating look inside the technology we know and love. Read more from BuzzFeed
Inverse–September 15, 2016
Valleys much younger than well-known ancient valley networks on Mars are evident near the informally named “Heart Lake” on Mars.
We knew Mars had water, but until now, we figured it all dried up long ago. It turns out, the red planet may have been wet a lot more recently than we thought. Read more from Inverse
Smithsonian–September 16, 2016
Kirk Johnson at work at the Bowring Pit in the Denver Basin, where his research team studied the sedimentary rock site. (Photo by Rick Wicker)
The devastation was immediate, catastrophic and widespread, but plants and mammals were quick to take over. Read more from Smithsonian.com
Posted: 19 September 2016
