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July/August 2021
Features
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Inside the Tombs of Saqqara
Dramatic new discoveries in the ancient Egytptian burial ground. A special report produced with Smithsonian Channel
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On the Edge of the Everglades
Chronicling the historic struggles and the strange beauty of a Florida farming community
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The Spy in the Forest
An 18th-century French botanist supported by Thomas Jefferson faced a historic decision. He chose betrayal
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Bout Time
With the games set for Japan, karate is finally recognized as worthy of the Olympics
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Crescent City Memories
Making art out of disaster, a couple of photographers salvage their affectionate portraits of life in New Orleans
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Don't Call It Doo-Wop!
The world’s greatest record store is run by a lovable grouch obsessed with the magic of American sidewalk harmony
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True Grit
Learning to love the hardscrabble life on Lanzarote, a sunblasted island formed by volcanoes
Departments
Precedent and Promise
As Smithsonian celebrates its 175th year, we reflect on a vibrant history—and look ahead to the next two museums
Innovation Nation
It was once the Smithsonian’s most forward-looking museum. Soon it will be again
Whistle Down the Line
The golden spike made the newspapers. But another railroad made an even bigger difference to the nation
Listening to Stonehenge
A new understanding of what it meant to be a member of the inner circle
Collect, Wait, Study
Bird specimens gathered during an illustrious expedition nearly two centuries ago only grow more valuable to science
Riis to the Rescue
The famed social reformer’s role in a sensational turn-of-the-century murder case prefigures today’s exonerations
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