Smithsonian Stories

Printing the Declaration was essential for the distribution of its meaning across the Thirteen Colonies.

From tiny trackers on birds to larger elephant collars, scientists learn a lot from tracking animal movement in the wild. 

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the nail artists visiting the Smithsonian museums. 

A look inside inside MLB’s robo-umping experiment. 

Smithson was a scientist and founder of the Smithsonian Institution.

Smithsonian collections spark creative designs by three nail artists.

For Black women, nail art is more than just a fashion statement it is an expression of culture, pride, and style.

Species travel around the world stowed away on ships, impacting ecosystems and industry.

With a new strain spreading fast, will Americans get lucky again?

A Civil War solider used hardtack in a crafty way.

July 1, 1839, enslaved Africans revolted aboard the slaving schooner La Amistad—an artist drew their portraits at trial. 

The asteroid provides clues to how the building blocks of life on Earth may have been seeded.

Zhong Kui is a spirit guardian of good health.

Photographs from the collection document African Americans at work from the 1860s to today.

On the first Inauguration Day, George Washington gave a speech and future presidents have followed suit.
 

Smithsonian research gives insight into firefighting with saltwater and its impacts.

A unique lab at the National Museum of Natural History investigates interactions between birds and aircrafts.

Learn how the Smithsonian provides guidance and resources to help families salvage their damaged belongings.

Explore seven exciting science stories from across the Smithsonian.

An astrophysicist builds technology to answer questions about the sun.

A woman's letter to her parents describes the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor—and shares her fears.

The Smithsonian has been at the forefront of weather research since its founding.

An ecologist’s passion for parasites leads her to study river otter behavior along the Chesapeake Bay.

The day before a “date which will live in infamy.”