Skip to main content

Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine and get a FREE tote.

Editor's Picks / Video

Preview thumbnail for Don't Call the Blobfish Ugly

Don’t Call the Blobfish Ugly

From its unique appearance to its habitat and behavior, here’s everything you need to know about this mysterious deep-sea creature. Dive into the world of the blobfish and discover why …

Preview thumbnail for 7 Weirdest Bird Calls

7 Weirdest Bird Calls

When it comes to bird calls, every chirp, trill, and warble tells a story. From eerie screeches to melodic tunes, these distinctive sounds from nature are sure to surprise you.

Preview thumbnail for The Rise and Fall of the Aztec Civilization

The Rise and Fall of the Aztec Civilization

Explore the history of the Aztecs, their incredible achievements in art, architecture, and warfare, as well as the factors that led to their decline. —- For more videos from Smithsonian …

Preview thumbnail for 10 Fascinating Facts About Owls

10 Fascinating Facts About Owls

From their jaw-dropping hunting abilities to their unique physicality, owls are truly captivating creatures. Join us as we delve into the world of these mysterious birds of prey.

Preview thumbnail for What Is a Solar Eclipse?

What Is a Solar Eclipse?

Have you ever wondered what a solar eclipse is? Join us as we explore the science behind this awe-inspiring celestial event. —- For more videos from Smithsonian Magazine: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/ Digital …

Preview thumbnail for Announcing the Winners of the 21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Announcing the Winners of the 21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

After reviewing more than 30,000 photos, the editors of Smithsonian magazine are proud to announce the winning submissions. Learn more about the finalists and winners of 2024 here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/see-winners-21st-annual-smithsonian-magazine-photo-contest-180984001/. —- …

Preview thumbnail for The Best Small Towns to Celebrate Spring

The Best Small Towns to Celebrate Spring

This spring, take a break and smell the flowers in New Mexico, Kansas, California and New Jersey.

Preview thumbnail for 10 Fun Facts About Jellyfish

10 Fun Facts About Jellyfish

Jellyfish, the wobbly wonders of the ocean, often astound with their unique shapes, sizes, and stings. Learn more about these marine marvels as we dive deeper into the underwater world. …

Preview thumbnail for 5 Unexpected Facts About George Washington

5 Unexpected Facts About George Washington

Explore the lesser-known details of the founder’s childhood, home life and career and gain a deeper understanding of his contributions to the United States. —- For more videos from Smithsonian …

Preview thumbnail for What Really Happened With the Political Mayhem of the Election of 1800?

What Really Happened With the Political Mayhem of the Election of 1800?

Two titans of the era went head-to-head in a heated race for the presidency. The stakes were high. The very future of a young nation hung in the balance. Join …

Preview thumbnail for How One Photographer Recreated 19th Century Portraits With the Descendants of Civil War Heroes

How One Photographer Recreated 19th Century Portraits With the Descendants of Civil War Heroes

Smithsonian magazine commissioned Drew Gardner for a project that connects Black Americans today to their lost ancestry. Read about Gardner’s project and process, as well as more details about the …

Preview thumbnail for 5 Surprising Facts About Pompeii

5 Surprising Facts About Pompeii

This immersive archaeological exploration of Pompeii, a once-thriving Roman city, will transport you back in time – before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Preview thumbnail for The Ultimate Skywatching Guide for Every Season

The Ultimate Skywatching Guide for Every Season

Whether you’re a passionate astronomer or a beginner eager to explore the cosmos, join us as we deep-dive into seasonal skywatching. Gain valuable insights into identifying meteors, stars, and fascinating …

Preview thumbnail for 10 Enchanting Butterfly Facts Revealed!

10 Enchanting Butterfly Facts Revealed!

Discover astonishing butterfly facts and delight in learning about the superlatives of butterflies, from the largest to the smallest to the fastest. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an avid butterfly …

Preview thumbnail for 5 Surprising Facts About Rosa Parks

5 Surprising Facts About Rosa Parks

Largely recognized for her leading role in the bus boycott of 1955, Rosa Parks was an enduring activist for the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout her numerous decades of service, Parks …

Preview thumbnail for The Shocking History and Legacy of the Salem Witch Trials

The Shocking History and Legacy of the Salem Witch Trials

What fueled the frenzy that sent so many to their deaths in colonial America? And how did Americans reckon with the aftermath of the panic? —- For more videos from …

Preview thumbnail for The Mass Extinction That Wiped Out the Dinosaurs

The Mass Extinction That Wiped Out the Dinosaurs

Almost 66 million years ago, an asteroid hit Earth – and changed our planet forever. From tsunamis to shockwaves, join us on a journey through time as we explore the …

Preview thumbnail for 5 Surprising Facts About Lincoln

5 Surprising Facts About Lincoln

The 16th president is widely celebrated for his role in helping to abolish slavery and preserving the Union during the Civil War. But did you know these facts about this …

Preview thumbnail for The Best Small Towns to Celebrate Fall

The Best Small Towns to Celebrate Fall

Travel to Oregon, Minnesota, North Dakota and Rhode Island to see beautiful autumn foliage and much more

Preview thumbnail for What Is the James Webb Space Telescope?

What Is the James Webb Space Telescope?

For more than a year now, the world has been treated to breathtaking images of the outer reaches of our universe from the NASA instrument. But how does it even …

Preview thumbnail for The Untold Secrets of King Tut's Tomb

The Untold Secrets of King Tut’s Tomb

Do you ever wonder what secrets lie beneath the sands of Egypt? Prepare to be astonished as we unveil the untouched tomb of King Tutankhamun.

Preview thumbnail for What Happened to Henry VIII's Six Wives?

What Happened to Henry VIII’s Six Wives?

From tumultuous love affairs to violent betrayals, the six wives of Henry VIII all left marks on the Tudor dynasty – and shaped the course of history. READ MORE about …

Preview thumbnail for Amazing Chicago Timelapse

Amazing Chicago Timelapse

Fascinated by the city, Eric Hines shot over 30,000 photographs to complete his cityscape - produced by Eric Hines

Preview thumbnail for How Do You 3-D Scan a Dinosaur?

How Do You 3-D Scan a Dinosaur?

A night at the museum with the Smithsonian’s “Laser Cowboys” http://j.mp/17Vclt8 Using laser scanners and high-tech computer software, Vince Rossi and Adam Metallo are recreating a digital Dinosaur Hall before …

Preview thumbnail for Opening Jim Thorpe's Wheaties

Opening Jim Thorpe’s Wheaties

Read more about Thorpe: http://j.mp/M9PsXT Smithsonian conservators go to extreme lengths to prepare an iconic box of cereal for display

Preview thumbnail for The Lincoln Assassination: Was Mary Surratt a Conspirator?

The Lincoln Assassination: Was Mary Surratt a Conspirator?

The southern widow’s Maryland house was a crucial stop on the escape route for assassin John Wilkes Booth the night he shot the president. Read more about Abraham Lincoln at …

Preview thumbnail for What Goes Into a 1920s Prohibition Cocktail

What Goes Into a 1920s Prohibition Cocktail

Read more at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Wayne-B-Wheeler-The-Man-Who-Turned-Off-the-Taps.html Beverage expert Derek Brown shows how to make three cocktails from the early 20th century at his Washington, D.C. bar.

Preview thumbnail for Cooking with Julia Child

Cooking with Julia Child

Through her television shows, Julia Child shared her love for culinary arts with the world.

Preview thumbnail for The Magnificent Shells of the Smithsonian

The Magnificent Shells of the Smithsonian

Home to the worlds largest shell collection, the Smithsonian catalogues and studies shells both large and small, spiky and smooth (Brendan McCabe).

Preview thumbnail for The Inaugural House Band

The Inaugural House Band

The Marine Band, having played at nearly every presidential swearing-in ceremony since Thomas Jefferson’s in 1801, readies for Barack Obama’s inauguration (Meredith Bragg). Read more at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Inauguration-2009.html

Preview thumbnail for Inside Photographer Robert Frank's The Americans

Inside Photographer Robert Frank’s The Americans

The National Gallery of Art organized a comprehensive exhibit of Robert Frank’s work (Images courtesy of: National Gallery of Art; Produced by: Diane Bolz and Brian Wolly)

Preview thumbnail for Top Chef Shows How to Cook a Geoduck

Top Chef Shows How to Cook a Geoduck

Hung Huynh, winner of Season 3 of Top Chef, prepares the giant clam two different ways, raw and fried. Read more at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Happy-As-Clams.html

Page 2 of 2