See the Mysterious Winter Parade That Brings Tourists to the Remote Island of Sardinia
Since ancient times, a town on the Italian isle has marked the season with a grim costumed festival
The Gooey Goodness of Velveeta Was a Smash Hit From Its Very Cheesy Start
How Emil Frey whipped up a smooth dairy sensation after two years of tinkering
Happy Public Domain Day! Popeye, ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ ‘The Sound and the Fury’ and Thousands of Other Captivating Creations Are Finally Free for Everyone to Use
On January 1, 2025, copyrights will expire for books, films, comic strips, musical compositions and other creative works from 1929, as well as sound recordings from 1924
How an Experiment to Amplify Light in Hospital Operating Rooms Led to the Accidental Invention of the Snow Globe
The origins of the decoration lie in Vienna’s 17th district, where the inventor’s descendants are still making them for collectors around the world
A Brilliant Folk Musician Turned the Natural Sounds of the Blue Ridge Mountains Into Powerful Songs
Daniel Bachman is on a mission to evoke Virginia’s past through strange medleys of sounds
The Real Story Behind ‘A Complete Unknown’ and Bob Dylan’s Early Career, From His Arrival in New York City to When He ‘Went Electric’
A new film starring Timothée Chalamet tracks Dylan’s evolution from an acoustic folk singer to a rock ‘n’ roll superstar
The Best Board Games of 2024 Will Excite Players of All Ages
Whether you love cheese, wordplay, “Star Wars” or Japanese culture, this year’s list has something for everyone in what turned out to be a fantastic year for board gamers
How to Build Cross-Cultural Connections Over Food This Holiday Season
Supper clubs and immigrant-led cooking classes across the country bring people together, teaching diners to embrace their neighbors from around the world
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
Ho, Ho, Ho! 15 Festive Photos of Santa Claus to Get You Into the Christmas Spirit
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and ol’ St. Nick is spreading holiday cheer for all to hear
After Failing Math Twice, a Young Benjamin Franklin Turned to This Popular 17th-Century Textbook
A 19th-century scholar claimed that “Cocker’s Arithmetick” had “probably made as much stir and noise in the English world as any [book]—next to the Bible”
The Ten Best Children’s Books of 2024
This year’s top titles range from an alphabet book of quirky tunes to an authentic portrait of our nation
Ten Top Smithsonian Stories of 2024, From a Mysterious Underground Chamber to Dazzling Auroras
The magazine’s most-read articles of the year included a close-up look at the adorable yet venomous pygmy slow loris, a profile of a little-known 20th-century street photographer and a majestic journey with divers into Mexico’s underwater caves
The Italian Town That Becomes a Giant, Goose-Themed Board Game Each Fall
With teams competing in outlandish physical challenges, the Zogo dell’Oca of Mirano showcases Italy’s flair for invented traditions
The Ten Best Photography Books of 2024
These works are not just for casual readers—they are for those who seek to expand their horizons, enrich their lives, and connect with the world on a deeper level
The Best Books of 2024
Whether you’re doing some holiday shopping or looking for your own next read, consider our thoughtfully curated lists.
The Ten Best Books About Travel of 2024
These top titles of the year whisk readers away on adventures and remind us of the many wonders in this world
Scientists Are Trying to Crack the Recipe for the Perfect Plant-Based Eggs
With new ingredients and processes, the next generation of substitutes will be not just more egg-like, but potentially more nutritious
The Ten Best History Books of 2024
Our favorite titles of the year resurrect forgotten histories and examine how the United States ended up where it is today
The Ten Best Books About Food of 2024
Travel to the American South, Vietnam and beyond with this year’s best cookbooks, memoirs and historic deep dives
What Food Was Served at the First Thanksgiving in 1621?
Turkey may have been part of the holiday meal, along with venison, shellfish and corn, but pies and potatoes were decidedly not on the menu
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