U.S. History

Antebellum Quilts

A new show at the Renwick Gallery features a rare repository of textile history

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The Rise, and Fall, of a Fervid Third Party

In the 1850s, a burgeoning coalition of self- proclaimed nativists, or Know-Nothings, swept into office and called out for radical change

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Around the Mall & Beyond

At the Young Collectors Tent, they're on the lookout for even more antique ice skates, African dresses, chopstick rests, cowboy hats, snow globes...

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Smithsonian Perspectives

The Smithsonian is uniquely suited to run long-range research programs that monitor the state of the natural world

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Traveling the Long Road to Freedom, One Step at a Time

When historian Anthony Cohen set out to retrace a route along the legendary Underground Railroad, he recovered a piece of the American past

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Smithsonian Perspectives

Coins from James Smithson's bequest created the Institution; on our anniversary, commemorative coins from the U.S. Mint will help it to continue

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Around the Mall & Beyond

Every belfry must have its bell, and what better time than the Smithsonian Institution's 150th birthday to hoist one up to the Castle clock?

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Smithsonian Perspectives

From its start, the Smithsonian had international interests, and it is now more than ever a global institution

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How a Weed Once Scorned Became the Flower of the Hour

The gaudy sunflower is the ornament of the Nineties, turning up everywhere and on everything, including baseball players' faces

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The Inverted Jenny

How an upside-down biplane on a 24-cent stamp, at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum, seemed to jinx early attempts at carrying the mail by air

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Around the Mall & Beyond

After many an 18-hour day 'tinkering,' and more than 500 patents to his name, Jerome Lemelson is America's most prolific living inventor

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Taking Liberties With An American Goddess

Mocked, martyred and marketed, our favorite statue is still hard at work "enlightening the world"

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Phenomena, Comment and Notes

Looking at the Smithsonian from the inside: A 'random sample' of anthropologists, biologists and geologists explain why it is an inimitable place to work

Looking out from the Smithsonian Castle in the middle of the National Mall, one has a bird's-eye view of much of the pageant of American history.

Smithsonian Perspectives

In its early days, the Smithsonian faced the Civil War, a disastrous fire and a vastly uncertain future

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Around the Mall & Beyond

When not overseeing a collection of 10,000 rifles, swords and harquebuses, Harry Hunter and Sarah Rittgers like to go out and hit a few bullseyes

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Smithsonian Perspectives

Among the Smithsonian's greatest legacies has been its long line of directors with vision and drive

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Around the Mall & Beyond

Red-hot, beat-me-down, bring-you-up swing tunes' are just part of Radio Smithsonian's Black Radio...

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Smithsonian Perspectives

Volunteer service at the Smithsonian is a time-honored tradition that goes all the way back to Joseph Henry, our first Secretary

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Smithsonian Perspectives

From the start, the Smithsonian has pursued activities that fulfill its mandate to increase knowledge

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What a Difference the Difference Engine Made: From Charles Babbage's Calculator Emerged Today's Computer

The incredible world of computers was born some 150 years ago, with a clunky machine dreamed up by a calculating genius named Charles Babbage

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