December 21, 1846. Joseph Henry takes up his duties as the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. He has no time to comb his hair first. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 21, 1846
December 20, 1980. One of the few gray seal pups to have been born and survive in captivity is born at the Zoo. He is named Grendel after the monster in “Beowulf” for reasons that are inscrutable to us. Look at that face! Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 20, 1980
December 19, 2010. Scott Miller is named Deputy Under Secretary for Collections and Interdisciplinary Support. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 19, 2010
Michael Mason, director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, shares a Catalan tradition and shows us a bit of his more devilish side. Continue reading Els Pastorets: A Catalan Christmas Pageant in Washington, D.C.
Rajshree is donating the $5,000 prize to the Smithsonian Internship Program. Continue reading The Hirshhorn’s Rajshree Solanki wins “Registrar of the Year”Award
In honor of International Monkey Day, dedicated to all monkeys and other primates, Elizabeth Broman takes a look at singerie, the art of using monkeys to portray human behavior. Continue reading Monkey Business, French Style
What is life like for the largest animals in the earth’s history? Continue reading The Conversation: Why are whales big, but not bigger?
Today marks the 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
Nominations are now open for the 2019 Distinguished Scholar in the Sciences. Continue reading Nominations are open for the 2019 Distinguished Scholar in the Sciences
UPDATE: Igor presented his lecture, “Heritage in Drawers: From Taking In to Giving Back (a Smithsonian journey)” Wednesday, Dec. 11. Watch the recorded webcast. Continue reading Igor Krupnik is 2019 Distinguished Scholar in the Humanities
The Smithsonian's policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence Continue reading The Smithsonian’s policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence
Secretary Bunch explores how we must engage young people if the Smithsonian is to “have tomorrow, bright before us, like a flame.” Continue reading The Kids Are Alright
Kim Sajet, director of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery since 2013, tendered her resignation June 16. Kevin Gover, Under Secretary for Museums and Culture, will serve as interim director of the museum until a replacement is found. Continue reading Kim Sajet steps down as director of the National Portrait Gallery
