What the Long History of Mail-In Voting in the U.S. Reveals About the Election Process
A recent exhibition shows how soldiers sent in votes during the Civil War and World War II, as many Americans would in 2020 following the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic
Ants Farmed Fungi in the Wake of Dinosaurs’ Demise 66 Million Years Ago
A new study from Smithsonian scientists analyzes ant and fungus species, and uncovers the origins of their close partnership
The Colorful World of These Brazilian Identical Twins Bridges Dreams and Reality
The artists known as OSGEMEOS showcase the largest exhibition of their work in the United States at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
How Century-Old Paintings Reveal the Indigenous Roots and Natural History of New England Landscapes
Seven guest collaborators bring new eyes to a Smithsonian museum founder’s collection of American art
See the Wonders of Bird Engineering in These Photos of Intricate Nests
In a new book, a curator at England’s Natural History Museum describes rare and interesting nests and eggs—from the house sparrow to the village weaver—and the lessons they hold for avian conservation
Basquiat and Banksy Take Center Stage at the Hirshhorn
At an upcoming exhibition, the Smithsonian museum will display works by the two boundary-breaking artists for the first time
The National Museum of American History Collects Mariska Hargitay’s Costume From ‘Law & Order: SVU’
The Smithsonian museum accepted a detective suit and badge worn by the actress’ character, Olivia Benson, on the long-running procedural
These Fish Transformed Their Dorsal Fins Into Taste Buds
From tasting to hunting to hitching a ride, some fins have evolved for a variety of uses beyond swimming
Workers Uncover an Underground Chamber Sealed for More Than a Century Near the National Mall
The dry cistern was discovered by construction crews working on the Smithsonian Castle’s renovation
This Massive New Guidebook Will Forever Change the Way You Look at Trees
Written by Smithsonian botanist W. John Kress, the book details more than 300 North American tree species in words, maps and photographs—and why we shouldn’t take them for granted
How the Hirshhorn Museum Went From Iconoclast to Icon
Celebrating 50 years of the modernist masterpiece that shocked critics—and helped turn Washington into an arts capital
After Nigerian Independence, One Renowned Artist Made Jesus a West African Savior in His Vibrant Work
Painter and printmaker Bruce Onobrakpeya put forth a new vision of biblical figures for African Christians in the early post-colonial life of his country
What’s the History of Hawaiian Grass Skirts? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
Scientists Suggest Freezing Endangered Animals’ Cells and Preserving Them on the Moon
Shadowed areas in lunar craters may be cold enough to safeguard species’ DNA amid “climate disasters and social disasters” on Earth, according to Smithsonian-led research
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
‘Fearsome’ Saber-Toothed Cats Needed Their Baby Teeth and Mommies, Too
According to new research, two sets of sabers and unusual lower jaw anatomy show that the saber-toothed cat Smilodon fatalis delayed adulting with a long weaning period
How a Blue SUV Named Stanley Revolutionized Driverless Car Technology
Almost 20 years ago, a Volkswagen Touareg, now on view at the National Museum of American History, won a competition and led to the “birth moment” of self-driving cars
Busting 13 of the Smithsonian’s Most Persistent Myths
From castle hauntings to hiding evidence of giant humans, the Smithsonian has long been the subject of wild rumors and tall tales
How the Olympic Village Evolved From Makeshift Cabins to a City Within a City
The athletes’ accommodations have come a long way in the last 100 years, expanding into modern global hubs
Why Are Giant, Ancient Tropical Trees Dying?
Scientists from an international project are racing to figure out what kills these anchors of their ecosystems—before it’s too late to save them
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