How Underwater Archaeology Brings Secrets to the Surface, From Lost Shipwrecks to Submerged Cities
An immersive new exhibition at the Intrepid Museum in New York City spotlights the science and technology behind the discipline
When ‘The Wiz’ Debuted on Broadway 50 Years Ago, It Sparked a Brand New Day for Audiences
How the remarkable musical transformed a beloved folk tale into a celebratory vision for the future of Black America
See the Birthplace of Juneteenth in These Atmospheric Photos of Galveston, Texas
A photographer’s journey to the Gulf Coast city yields 16 images that reveal how its natural beauty melds with its momentous role in Black history
Trailblazing Filmmaker Ava DuVernay Receives the Smithsonian’s Great Americans Medal
DuVernay is the first director, writer and producer to earn the honor, which recognizes “lifetime contributions embodying American ideas and ideals”
Untold Stories of American History
After Confederate Forces Captured Their Children, These Black Mothers Fought to Reunite Their Families
During the Civil War, Confederates targeted free Black people in the North, kidnapping them to sell into slavery. After the conflict ended, two women sought help from high places to track down their lost loved ones
The Vast Geographic Scope of Slavery Is Hard to Fathom. One Groundbreaking Exhibition Shows Its True Scale Around the Globe
At the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “In Slavery’s Wake” tells the international history of slavery and Black freedom
The Head of the Smithsonian Talks About America’s 250th, Why Experts Still Matter and What to Expect From the Institution in 2025
In an extensive interview, Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III spoke on the current political climate, the process of returning human remains from the Institution’s collections, the awe-inspiring scope of Smithsonian science and much more
The Best Books of 2024, as Chosen by Smithsonian Scholars
Staff at the Institution pick their favorite reads of the year, including riveting memoirs, fascinating true histories and fun fiction
Quincy Jones Was a ‘Musician’s Musician’ Who Was Uniquely Beloved in the Cutthroat Music Industry
A Smithsonian curator reflects back on the artistic legend, a “Renaissance man” with 28 Grammys to his name, who died Sunday at 91 years old
See What Happened When One Museum Asked Artists to Define ‘Home’
The Smithsonian Design Triennial presents 25 commissions that explore the physical and conceptual ideas of shelter and refuge
These 17 Pictures Tell the Stories of Black Athletes in America
A new book from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture shows the images and impacts of athletes on and off the playing field
Discover the Special Meaning Behind Kamala Harris’ Pearls
The vice president, who will give a speech at the Democratic National Convention to accept the presidential nomination Thursday night, often wears jewelry connected to her historically Black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Tommie Smith’s Raised Fist at the 1968 Olympics Inspired a Massive Golden Sculpture That Signifies the Art of His Protest
At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, an installation by artist Glenn Kaino made in collaboration with Smith reclaims the Olympian’s iconic gesture
Explore James Baldwin Alongside His Friends, His Contemporaries and the Queer Artists Inspired by His Writing
A new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery honors the iconic writer while also celebrating the communities that influenced him
How the First Black Barbie Was Born
A new documentary tells the story of Black Barbie, and why she has meant so much to so many
These Badges Shed New Light on the Enslaved Workers Who Built Charleston
The Smithsonian has acquired a collection of 146 slave badges from between 1800 and 1865
How Do You Rest in a Culture of Overwork?
A showcase of Black artists displays the restorative power of relaxation, and defines what it means to reclaim time
Ancestry Releases Records of 183,000 Enslaved Individuals in America
The genealogy company has digitized and published 38,000 newspaper articles from between 1788 and 1867—before Black Americans were counted as citizens in the U.S. census
Why Juneteenth, the U.S.’s Second Independence Day, Is a Federal Holiday
The celebration commemorates June 19, 1865, when a military decree informed the people of Texas that all enslaved people were free
From the Inventor of Mass-Market Paper Bags to a Scientist Who Unraveled the Mysteries of Polio, Meet Five American Women Whose Remarkable Achievements Have Long Been Overlooked
The inaugural exhibition at the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum seeks to shine light on lesser-known historical figures
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