This week, the third impeachment trial of a sitting U.S. president is unfolding. Jon Grinspan explains how historians put momentous times in perspective. Continue reading Thinking about impeachment like a historian
The first female Secretary of State—and the highest ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government at the time—used humor and the traditional accoutrements of femininity to practice her own kind of diplomacy. Continue reading The dazzling diplomacy of Madeleine Albright
To celebrate Squirrel Appreciation Day, the Torch is revisiting a chat we had with the Smithsonian’s resident squirrel expert, Richard Thorington, in 2013. Continue reading A world of research from a kitchen window
How do you read an old book that might poison you? Very, very carefully. Continue reading Arsenic and old books
The FY2020 federal appropriations for the Smithsonian includes funding for the Women’s History Initiative and Latino programming, more money for deferred maintenance and approval for the purchase of a new office building. Continue reading Show us the money!
This week we learned of an enormous structure of hot gas in the middle of the Milky Way. We’re fairly certain it did not originate on Earth. But then again… Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week than was January 3 – January 10, 2020
For a quarter of a century, the Museum on Main Street program has brought the Smithsonian to small-town audiences and rural communities. Continue reading Sharing the stories of America
Discovering four watercolors by Yayoi Kusama in SAAM’s Joseph Cornell Study Center Continue reading The Lost Kusamas
John Barrat profiles one of our Smithsonian colleagues whose work is on display in the Artists at Work exhibition. Continue reading Artist at Work: Jackson Tanner
Start the new year securely with these computer safety tips. Continue reading Keep the Smithsonian Cyber Safe
Vote now for the Autumn 2025 Windows Lock Screen. Voting ends Sunday, September 21st! Continue reading Vote now for the Autumn 2025 Windows Lock Screen
(Ed. note: We should note that it's never wise to stand behind a cow, even a buttery one. Cow pies never win blue ribbons.) Continue reading Behind the Butter Cow: A Look at the Renwick’s new State Fair exhibition
More than $2.5 million in grants has been awarded to fund projects ranging from exposing little kids to nature, the link between movement and emotional wellbeing and building a robotic telescope. Continue reading 2025 Together we Thrive
Melanie Adams will serve as interim director beginning August 26. Continue reading Director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum is stepping down
