Smithsonian Stories

Nothing is getting this guy down.

Smithsonian Gardens shares information to help understand this newly invasive species.

Dogs and wolves living today derive from a shared ancient wolf population that lived alongside woolly mammoths and cave bears.

Garfield had a short tenure as U.S. President, but it started with a ball at the Smithsonian's newest building.

The 1977 Barbarella poster was only one of Vallejo’s commercial successes in science fiction and fantasy art.

Because fur was relatively expensive, alternatives have been around for hundreds of years. 

Gym machines have been popular since their introduction in the late 1800s.

Why are these little points of light in the sky different? What makes a planet vs. a star?

This bill denotes optimism for the beginning of a new nation.

Based in New York City, these performers are preserving and reviving the polyphonic singing style of villages across Ukraine.

A whimsical painting depicts some studious (and some not) mice.

Climate change can cause a mismatch between plants and their pollinators. This has happened before.

The heroic figure of Molly Pitcher has come to represent the critical roles that many women played during the fight for American independence.

The majority of what has been accomplished in space has been carried out by uncrewed robotic craft.

This WWI biplane gained fame for its real-life heroics—and its animated pilot.

“In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense...”—Thomas Paine

Featuring an array of mechanical devices, this spectacular clock was made to animate American history.

The Declaration of Independence is a foundational American document.

Learn how American bands from the 1840s to 1940s promoted civic life, public engagement, and political discourse.

Temperance movement pledging practices were used by social reformers for decades to come.

The comic strip and TV show juxtaposed modern family life with the stone age.

Smithsonian researchers study how bats discriminate between tasty and dangerous meals.

Franklin knew that clothing conveyed messages and meaning.

In 1975, American soccer changed forever when Pelé signed with the New York Cosmos.