American History

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How Crisco Went From Cryst to Disco

The American History Museum covers all things grease for its April Fool's Day conference open to the public

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Discussion

Discussion

In 1838, 346 seamen embarked on a massive sailing expedition that would confirm the existence of Antarctica.

Remembering the Last Great Worldwide Sailing Expedition

An 1838 journey pushed back the borders of the unknown

Great Camp Sagamore in Raquette Lake, New York, was once a retreat for the Vanderbilt family.

Where Was the Birthplace of the American Vacation?

First in rustic tents and later in elaborate resorts, city dwellers took to the Adirondacks to explore the joys of the wilderness

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Contributors

A toy Statue of Liberty was one of thousands sold to raise funds to build the real statue's pedestal.

America’s Got a Case of Souvenir Mania

A new book from a Smithsonian curator looks at the culture and business of memorabilia

In late 1938, the revolutionary DC-3 plane departed Newark Airport for Glendale, California.

How the DC-3 Revolutionized Air Travel

Before the legendary aircraft took flight, it took 25 hours to fly from New York to Los Angeles

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The United States Isn’t the Only Country Asking the Gay Marriage Question

The U.S. isn't the only nation struggling with the gay marriage issue. Here are where the debate stands in other countries around the world

The tiny parasitic wasps flourish by laying eggs inside other insects (above: a wasp punctures a fruit fly).

Events March 29-31: Parasitic Wasps, Joseph Henry and Victorian Portraits

This weekend, learn about wasps that live inside their prey, meet Smithsonian's first secretary from 1846 and see living rooms from 150 years ago

These flowers are always in bloom at the American Art Museum.

Butterflies, Baseball and Blossoms: Tours for Your Spring Vacation

Two custom tours come fully loaded with insider information, digital postcards and step-by-step directions

A map of the Mississippi Territory c. 1817

After 195 Years, Georgia Is Still Complaining About Its Border With Tennessee

Georgia, again, wants to move its border a mile to the north

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Scientists Published Henrietta Lacks’ Genome Without the Consent of Her Family

Author Rebecca Skloot argues that society is not ready for full genetic disclosures of individuals

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Tracing $1 Bills Across the United States Is a Surprisingly Useful Hobby

What started as a quirky hobby, has turned into a national bill hunt that's useful for all sorts of people - like physicists

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Obama Dedicates Five New National Monuments

Locals and environmentalists are happy about the decision, but others warn that the new monuments arrive just in time for the sequester's budget cuts

Reusable water bottles, like those above, are good for the environment. Instead of throwing away your disposable plastic bottles, bring them to the Anacostia Community Museum on Wednesday to turn them into art.

Events March 26-28: Student Sit-Ins, Environmental Art and Female Historical Perspectives

This week, re-enact an event that encouraged civil rights, turn water bottles into art and see American history through women's eyes

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Pediatricians Back Gay Marriage

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that allowing a child's parents to marry is good for kids

Workers clean the salvaged F-1 engine

An Apollo Rocket Engine Was Just Saved from the Bottom of the Atlantic

These booster rockets sent Apollo astronauts blasting to the Moon

It’s Not Just You: Garfield Is Not Meant to Be Funny

Unlike New Yorker cartoons, in which, you are actually missing the joke, Garfield is in fact not even designed to be funny

A scrapbook documenting the history of the Auxiliary includes several pages of past Auxiliary presidents. All images courtesy of the Women’s Auxiliary, National Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors (collection 1304).

How Did A Group of Plumbers’ Wives Change American History?

Initially a social club, the Women's Auxiliary grew to become one of the nation's most influential organizations in the country

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From the Big Bang to the End of the Earth and Everything in Between, the Two Minute History of America

A fun video by a Minnesota high school student tries to capture all of human history in just two minutes

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