Arts & Culture / Video
How Soap Box Racing Became a National Craze
In 1934, soapbox racing was all the rage as teenagers raced homemade wooden cars in their local neighborhoods. By 1936, 100,000 fans attended the finals of the National Soapbox Derby.
A Scandalous Affair Threatens to Tear the Royal Family Apart
In the 1930s, the British Royal Family was wracked by scandal: Prince Henry had embarked on an affair with a married woman named Beryl Markham, and now details of this …
David Burnett on His Experience Jumping Out of a Plane With D-Day Vets
David Burnett on His Experience Jumping Out of a Plane With D-Day Vets
Smithsonian American Ingenuity Awards 2019: Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X explains the origins of his diamond-certified crossover hit, ‘Old Town Road.’
The Refined Process Behind a Perfect Pint of Beer
The process of making beer is a science, and a messy one at that. Here, a brewmaster at Flying Dog Brewery walks Josh Ozersky through the art of the brew
This London Blacksmith Forges Replicas of Medieval Swords
A London blacksmith has perfected a technique known as pattern welding to create elaborately-designed replica Saxon swords and knives. He demonstrates his technique on camera
How Science Helps Preserve Longmen Grottoes
The Buddhist statues of the Longmen Grottoes are a Chinese heritage—one in urgent need of preservation. To do this, archaeologists use advanced scanning technology to pinpoint the vulnerable areas in …
The Stinky Reputation of 17th-Century Versailles
The French palace of Versailles was widely seen as one of the most beautiful in the world in the 17th century. Unfortunately, it was also one of the smelliest
Why the Titanic Was Seen as a Symbol of Luxury
The sinking of the Titanic is rightly remembered as a tragic loss of historic proportions. But when it happened, it also became something else: a rare window into the extraordinary …
Was Ice Cream First Served in Britain in 1671?
Charles II attended a feast in Windsor in 1671 which boasted some of the finest dishes in the land. Among them was ice cream—the first record of it ever being …
This Man Became the First Openly Gay Bishop in America
In 2003, the reverend Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church. What followed was a campaign of death threats and intimidation that would test him …
Did This Beloved Queen of Britain Use Drugs?
We have this image of Queen Victoria as a highly proper, disciplined monarch. But the Queen was also someone who liked to get high, from opium tinctures to chewing gum …
This Magical Train Ride Was Used in a Harry Potter Film
Just a few miles from Ben Nevis mountain is the start of one of the most breathtaking train journeys in the world—so spectacular, in fact, that it was adapted by …
Why London Skyscrapers Are Famous for Their Distinctive Looks
London’s statuesque skyscrapers are one of the British capital’s most distinguishing features. The buildings’ unique nicknames are even more absorbing.
Where to Sell Your Soul for the Delta Blues
Clarksdale, Mississippi, is where Robert Johnson is said to have sold his soul to the Devil and where the first juke joints started playing a new kind of American music—the …
The Vicious KKK Attack Against Nat King Cole
In 1956, Nat King Cole, one of the biggest musical stars in the world, was attacked on stage by the KKK. It was the reality of being a black man …
The Long Conversation 2018: Naomi Wadler Interviews Alfre Woodard
The 12-year-old activist talks with the award-winning actress about how an increasingly diverse body of storytellers sharing their experiences is breaking down artificial barriers
The Long Conversation 2018: Jessica Matthews Interviews Roy Wood, Jr.
The founder of Uncharted Power talks with the comedian about pockets of political change in America’s South
The Long Conversation 2018: Larisa Martinez Interviews Michael Govan
The opera singer and the director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art talk about fostering inclusivity in the arts
The Long Conversation 2018: Hawah Kasat Interviews Troy Carter
The co-founder of One Common Unity talks with the music manager about how technology can have a positive impact on artists
The Long Conversation 2018: Sasha Velour Interviews Malak Wazne
Before performing, the drag queen talks with the award-winning filmmaker about breaking down barriers between people
The Long Conversation 2018: Jon Grinspan Interviews Hawah Kasat
The Smithsonian curator of political history talks with the co-founder of One Common Unity about creativity, education and solving the world’s biggest problems
The Long Conversation 2018: Jean Bennett Interviews C. Brian Williams
The molecular geneticist talks with the founder of Step Afrika! about the art form of stepping, created by African American fraternities and sororities
Why Los Angeles Is One of the Best Places to Film
The San Gabriel Mountains lure lots of Angelenos looking for some quiet seclusion. One of the more famous was Leonard Cohen who spent five years there, searching for peace of …
How Meghan Markle Went From Actress to British Nobility
Meghan Markle was an up-and-coming actress when she met and fell in love with Britain’s Prince Harry. Now, she must contend with probably the most challenging role of her life: …
Space Needle Was Designed to Look Very Different
While it’s hard to imagine Seattle’s Space Needle looking any other way, few people know that the iconic ‘flying saucer’ design wasn’t the original choice.
Here’s Why Mount Si Stands Out in TV History
While Seattle is surrounded by dramatic peaks on all sides, the relatively small Mount Si sticks out as a key location in the iconic TV series, Twin Peaks, which was …
This Is How Hard It Is to Catch a 40-lb. Dogtooth With a Reel
Fisherman Andy Coetzee is holding onto his fishing line for dear life, as a monstrous tug threatens to drag him into the ocean. From the size and strength of his …
Which Famous Music Icons Lived in These Chicago Homes?
Chicago has always been a hotbed of musical talent: whether it be Muddy Waters who moved there in 1943, or Kanye West who spent his childhood years in the Windy …
Yes, You Can Go Sandboarding in the Namib Desert
The Namibian town of Swakopmund is a top tourist draw for desert lovers. Popular activities include quad-biking and sandboarding down its massive, steep dunes.
How African Female Ex-Slaves Became Agooji Warriors
During the 17th century, the Agojie were a battle-hardened, all-female warrior force that held a special place within the African kingdom of Dahomey. Most were former slaves, with only the …
This African Warrior Ceremony Was Highly Intimidating
When France sent ambassador Jean-Marie Bayol to Dahomey to secure a deal for the kingdom’s rich natural resources, he was greeted by an elite force of all-women warriors known as …
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