American History

John Trumball's The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, 17 June, 1775.

The True Story of the Battle of Bunker Hill

Nathaniel Philbrick takes on one of the Revolutionary War’s most famous and least understood battles

This wax-and-cardboard disc from 1885 contains a recording of Bell’s voice.

We Had No Idea What Alexander Graham Bell Sounded Like. Until Now

Smithsonian researchers used optical technology to play back the unplayable records

How a Pizza Maker Revolutionized the Stunt-Kite-Flying World

First, let's establish the fact that there is something in the United States called the American Kitefliers Association

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The New $100 Bill Will Have Thousands of Tiny Lenses Built In

The $100 is the note most frequently targeted by counterfeiters

Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree at the Anacostia Community Museum on Friday.

Events April 26-28: Arbor Day, Expert Collectors and Classical Music

This weekend, plant a tree, learn about the art of craft collecting and listen to one of Haydn's masterpieces

How Do You Say ‘Star Wars’ In Navajo?

The Navajo Nation teamed up with Lucasfilm to translate the classic space opera

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Sequestration to Cause Closures, Secretary Clough Testifies

Gallery closings, fewer exhibitions and reduced educational offerings are some of the impacts he listed before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

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Q+A with Chadwick Boseman, Star of New Jackie Robinson Biopic, ’42′

The actor talks about getting vetted by the baseball legend's grandchildren, meeting with his wife and why baseball was actually his worst sport

Learn how to knit! Classes run by Smithsonian Associates start on Tuesday.

Events April 16-18: Art Classes, 19th Century Laundry and the Peacock Room

This week, learn how to knit or make pottery, appreciate how much of a luxury your washing machine is and experience the prettiest room on the Mall

Industrialist Andrew Carnegie (front row, center) financially supported the Tuskegee Institute and its faculty members, pictured here. Carnegie lauded the efforts of Booker T. Washington, who opened the school in 1881, shown here with his wife Margaret next to the businessman.

The Business of American Business Is Education

From corporate donations to workplace restrictions, what’s taught in the classroom has always been influenced by American industry

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Document Deep Dive: What Was on the First SAT?

Explore the exam that has been stressing out college-bound high school students since 1926

With each new frontier of exploration and travel came new challenges.

Lost in Space and Other Tales of Exploration and Navigation

A new exhibit at the Air and Space Museum reveals how we use time and space to get around every day, from maritime exploration to Google maps

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Spelling Bee Champs Will Actually Have to Learn the Meaning of the Fancy Words They Spell

Kids will have to define words in addition to spelling them, which the competition hopes will help the process of identifying finalists

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Old Ebbets Field Opens One Hundred Years Ago Today

Revisiting a few pieces of baseball's past

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Two Musicians Make Historic Donations to Kick Off Jazz Appreciation Month

Two donations from living legends to the American History Museum represent the genre's global reach

How to Turn a Paper Image of a Record Into a Beautiful Music

You can't make sounds from books, except when you can

Margaret Thatcher in 1984 with Ronald Reagan at Camp David.

Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher Dies at Age 87

Margaret Tatcher, former Prime Minister of Great Britain and first woman to lead a Western power, died today at the age of 87

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This Picture of Boston, Circa 1860, Is the World’s Oldest Surviving Aerial Photo

A sight from 2,000 feet, a view of 1860s Boston

In 1794, troops armed by the 1792 Militia Act partook in suppressing Pennsylvania’s Whiskey Rebellion.

A Georgia Town Is Requiring Gun Ownership. So Did the Founding Fathers.

A Georgia town may have just mandated gun ownership, but early Americans had the same idea back in 1792

Darius Brubeck with students from Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, 2007

Dave Brubeck’s Son, Darius, Reflects on His Father’s Legacy

As a global citizen and cultural bridge-builder, Dave Brubeck captivated the world with his music, big heart and a vision of unity

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