Smithsonian Magazine
How much do you really know about red pandas?
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- How much do you really know about red pandas?
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Did you know that red pandas are carnivores, but that they rarely eat meat? The term carnivore refers to their biological order, not their dietary preference. What other red panda facts do you know?
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- The Wildest Reality Show in Alaska Is Fat Bear Week
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Fat Bear Week, hosted by Katmai National Park in Alaska, draws bated breath from viewers every year. It’s an annual online tournament where people vote to crown the bear that’s best bulked up for hibernation. And the real question is…who’s your favorite?
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Fat Bear Week takes place every fall at Alaska’s Katmai National Park, where brown bears prepare for hibernation by doing their favorite activity: eating. This event invites the public to vote for the bear that has most successfully gained weight over the summer.
Featuring before and after photos of the park’s brown bears as they gorge on salmon, the event highlights their survival skills—and the importance of a healthy ecosystem.
As winter approaches, these bears consume vast quantities of salmon, sometimes gaining hundreds of pounds in just a few months. This fat helps them survive the long winter months without food while they rem...
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- How much do you really know about red pandas?
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Celebrate red pandas with us on International Red Panda Day.
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- What Really Happened at the Boston Tea Party?
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- On December 16, 1773, American colonists stormed three British ships and hurled 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This explosive act of rebellion against unfair taxes shook the empire, ignited colonial unity, and set the stage for America’s fight for freedom and independence.
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The Boston Tea Party – an event that fanned the flames of the American Revolution – took place in the winter of 1773. After years of disillusionment, this moment became a powerful symbol of colonial resistance.
The root cause was the Tea Act of 1773, passed by the British Parliament. While it actually lowered the price of tea, it was meant to undermine sales of Dutch imports – which colonists had taken to purchasing instead of British-taxed tea. The passage of the Act granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies – which its residents found unacceptable.
Colonists had no s...
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- Dive deep to see a 138-year-old shipwreck
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- How did a local tour guide spot this lost vessel in Lake Michigan?
🎥 📸 footage courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society and Door County Adventure Rafting.
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- Did you know pumpkin spice season has Colonial roots?
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Are you excited for pumpkin spice season? It turns out, Colonial Americans would probably approve of the favorite fall craze.
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- Why is this lobster bright blue?
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Say hello to Neptune. What causes his shell to be electric blue?
🎥 📸 footage courtesy of: Video: Sara Abdelouahed, Taijai Slaughter, Cameron Sleeper/Northeastern University and Image: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University
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- The Countercultural Roots of The Renaissance Fair
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Since they started in the 1960s, Renaissance fairs have celebrated the art, culture and philosophy of the era that took place centuries ago. Today, they are held annually across the U.S. and have even inspired similar festivals in other countries. While they vary in size and style, they all share a common goal: to bring history to life through community and imagination. But what’s the deal with the turkey legs?
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Video based on an article by Gillian Bagwell, “The Surprisingly Radical Roots of the Renaissance Fair”:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-surprisingly-radical-roots-of-the-renaissance-fair-180982918/
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Organized by teacher and theater director Phyllis Patterson, the first modern Renaissance fair was held in 1963 in California. Designed as a weekend fundraiser for a local radio station, the event combined historical reenactments, costumed performers and educational entertainm...
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- Do bats have a cuddly side?
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Despite their scientific name, Vampyrum spectrum, these bats have a snuggly side.
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- Are these the most beautiful roads in the United States?
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Which of these roads has you wanting to take the scenic route?
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- Inside Nature’s Most Violent Storms: Tornadoes Explained
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Swirling columns of air that touch down from stormy skies — tornadoes are among nature’s most awe-inspiring yet terrifying forces. Behind their power lies a complex science of clashing temperatures, shifting winds and atmospheric instability.
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Tornadoes are one of nature’s most powerful and unpredictable phenomena. They form when warm, moist air near the ground collides with cold, dry air above, creating atmospheric instability.
This clash can trigger strong thunderstorms known as supercells, where wind shear—changes in wind speed and direction with height—causes rising air to spin. If this rotating column gets tilted vertically, pushed by the rising air, it might intensify and stretch downward, becoming a funnel cloud.
When the funnel touches the ground, it becomes a tornado.
Most tornadoes last only a few minutes, but some can persist for hours, carving paths of destructio...
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- National Treasure: How Frank Kameny Became the Father of the Gay Rights Movement
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Frank Kameny was a pioneer in the modern gay rights movement and dedicated his life to fighting for LGBTQ+ equality. From his early career as an astronomer with the U.S. government to his later years as a vocal activist, Kameny's courage and determination paved the way for future generations.
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A Harvard-trained astronomer, Frank Kameny was fired from his federal position in 1957 because he was gay. Rather than retreat, he launched an unrelenting fight against the discrimination facing LGBTQ+ individuals.
In 1961, Kameny became the first person to petition the U.S. Supreme Court on the grounds of anti-gay discrimination. Although the Court declined to hear his case, his legal challenge was a landmark moment. He co-founded the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., one of the first LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and organized some of the earliest public protests for gay rights, including pickets in front of the White Ho...
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- What should you do if you spot a lanternfly?
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Are you seeing spotted lanternflies in your state? Here's how you can help stop the spread of these destructive planthoppers.
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- How much do you know about elephants?
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Did you know that August 12 is World Elephant Day! Celebrate these majestic creatures with these fun facts!
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- What you don't know about tarot.
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Did you know that tarot cards are 500 years old?
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- The Conspirators Behind the Plot to Kill President Lincoln
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- John Wilkes Booth will forever be known as the infamous assassin who killed Abraham Lincoln—but he didn’t act alone. Lewis Powell, Mary Surratt, John Surratt, David Herold, and George Atzerodt each played a sinister role in a vast conspiracy to take down the United States government just after the end of the Civil War.
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On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. It was the culmination of a deadly conspiracy orchestrated by a group of Confederate sympathizers, all of whom were determined to strike a final blow against the United States.
At the center was John Wilkes Booth, a charismatic but fanatical actor who vehemently opposed Lincoln’s policies and the abolition of slavery. Booth believed killing Lincoln would revive the faltering Confederate cause and plunge the United States into chaos.
Booth did not act alone. The goal was to destabilize the entire U.S. government by ...
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- How does your dog watch TV?
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Do you have a dog that watches television? How do they react? A new study suggests dogs engage differently with TV programs based on their personalities.
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- National Treasure: Why the Chesapeake Bay Matters Even More Than You Think
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- The Chesapeake Bay – the largest estuary in the U.S. – is a dynamic ecosystem teeming with life. Spanning over 64,000 square miles, it nourishes wetlands, forests, and more than 3,600 species. A vital resource for fishing, recreation, and commerce, the Bay also faces threats—pollution, climate change and habitat loss. Yet, restoration efforts are reviving it, inspiring hope.
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The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is a leading scientific facility devoted to understanding coastal ecosystems – and how human activities impact them. Located in Maryland, SERC conducts interdisciplinary research on topics like water quality, habitat restoration, climate change, and biodiversity.
One of their most important goals? Addressing the environmental challenges in the Chesapeake Bay. From building oyster sanctuaries to studying otter poop, SERC hopes to promote conservation in any and all forms.
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- What mysteries lurk in our national parks?
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- From unexplained phenomena to baffling disappearances, here are a few enigmatic questions you can ponder in our national parks.
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- Why are orcas sharing their prey with humans?
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- How would you like to share a meal with an orca? Scientists have documented prey-sharing behavior in the social creatures. But why is it happening?
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- How to see two new stars in the night sky
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- While they might appear as points of light like any other star, each one was caused by a stellar explosion called a nova. Watch to learn more.
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- Who Was "Bloody Mary"?
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Ruling from 1553 to 1558, Mary I of England was the nation’s first crowned queen. Determined to restore Catholicism after her father Henry VIII’s break with Rome, she launched a fierce counter-reformation. Her reign was marked by the fiery persecution of Protestants…earning her a fearsome nickname: “Bloody Mary.” But was this moniker accurate? Or just propaganda?
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The daughter of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, Mary’s life was shaped by religious and political upheaval from an early age.
When her Protestant half-brother, Edward VI, died in 1553, Mary boldly claimed the throne. Greeted with public celebration, Mary became England’s first queen regnant. Her ascension was seen as a triumph – both of rightful lineage and Catholic hope.
But the joy was short-lived.
Mary—a devout Catholic—was determined to undo the Protestant reforms of her father and...
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- How Superman Became a Character for the Ages
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- This summer’s big blockbuster, Superman, marks the latest installment of the Man of Steel — a character whose identity has evolved over the decades, connecting with the concerns and ideas of the day. Even the phrase he may be best known for — “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” — has changed to suit new vibes and new markets.
Superman’s persona transcends any one classification. He is Kal-El, an alien sent to Earth by parents with hopes of a better life for their child. He is Clark Kent, a good ole boy from Kansas who moves to the big city and works a 9 to 5. Completing the trifecta is his identity as a formidable superhero who battles fictional enemies including Lex Luthor and real-life villains like Hitler and Stalin.
Because Superman has alternated between being the mouthpiece of American power and that of the disenfranchised and oppressed, he has often been misunderstood. In this episode, host Ari Daniel speaks with Smithso...
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- Neanderthals: Our Misunderstood Prehistoric Relatives
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Once thought primitive, we now know Neanderthals were intelligent and even interbred with modern humans—many people today carry some Neanderthal DNA. Turns out, a lot of our jokes against our evolutionary counterparts are …misguided. New research continues to bust myths left and right – shedding light on the surprising intricacies of Neanderthal communities.
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Neanderthals are often portrayed as unintelligent “cavemen,” but modern research reveals a far more complex picture.
Neanderthals made sophisticated tools, used fire, wore clothing, and built shelters. They hunted large animals in organized groups and likely had spoken language. Evidence also shows they cared for the sick, buried their dead, and may have engaged in artistic practice, such as creating cave art and wearing ornaments.
Despite their intelligence and adaptability, Neanderthals vanished around 40,000 years ago. The reasons ...
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- Why You Should Love Durian, the World's Smelliest Fruit
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- The durian, a spiky fruit that grows across Southeast Asia, has a polarizing reputation for its pungent odor and strong taste. There are the durian haters — people who experience waves of revulsion at the mere thought of consuming one.
And then there are the superfans who sing its praises and travel the world to experience the rare and complex bliss it inspires on the palate. Those who relish this fruit say there’s a lot to love. It can be eaten raw (shortly after falling from the tree) or prepared as the hero of both sweet and savory dishes.
In this episode, host Ari Daniel travels with his children to a San Francisco restaurant to interview its chef and owner, Azalina Eusope (https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/california/san-francisco/restaurant/azalina-s) , about her love of durian and the cuisine it inspires. And he speaks with Smithsonian contributing writer Tom Downey about his trip to Malaysia (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture...
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- How "The Star-Spangled Banner" Became the National Anthem
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Inspired by the sight of the American flag after battle, Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Its vivid imagery captured the spirit of survival, symbolizing the nation's push for freedom. In 1931 – more than 100 years later – it would become the official national anthem of the United States.
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On September 13, 1814, during the Battle of Baltimore, American lawyer Francis Scott Key witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry.
As the smoke cleared at dawn, Key saw the American flag flying over the fort. Inspired, he wrote a poem called, "The Defence of Fort M’Henry." He set it to the tune of a popular British song, “To Anacreon in Heaven.”
Although it wasn’t originally intended to be a national anthem, the song became increasingly popular, especially at public events and military ceremonies. By the 20th century, it was regularly performed at official ceremonies an...
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- The Prehistoric Cave That Trapped and Entombed Animals for Millennia
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Natural Trap Cave is a pit in northern Wyoming into which countless animals have fallen and met their untimely demise since the Pleistocene. Paleontologists today find the cave a treasure trove — a stunning record of the species that have long roamed the area. The mammalian fossils left behind shed light on the climate, food sources and migration patterns of these species from earlier eras.
Careful excavation work over the years that has involved sifting for bones, extracting ancient DNA, and looking for prehistoric pollen has revealed not just the plants and animals that once populated this part of the world, but also the ecosystems and climates that governed it. It also has required some rather advanced rappelling skills.
In this episode, host Ari Daniel speaks with vertebrate paleontologist Julie Meachen and Smithsonian contributing writer Michael Ray Taylor (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/trove-ice-age-fossils-buried-in-wyomi...
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- The Doughnut: A Hole Lot More History Than You Think
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- Ever wondered how the doughnut came to be? Its origins date back to Dutch settlers in the eighteenth century, who brought recipes for "olykoeks,” or “oil cakes,” to the New World. Over time, doughnuts gained popularity – especially in the U.S. – where they became a staple of American culture and a beloved breakfast treat.
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In the 18th century, early versions of the beloved doughnut resembled fried cakes (often in round shapes, but without the iconic hole). Since then, stories about its iconic ring shape have followed the delicious treat, and vary widely.
The outcome, however, is always the same: someone removed the undercooked middle of the dough...and the rest is history.
Doughnuts became more widespread during World War I, when "Doughnut Dollies" volunteered to fry and serve doughnuts to soldiers, further cementing their place in American culture. After the war, doughnuts continued to ...
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- The Stunning Search for the Remains of Fallen WWII Airmen
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- In the fall of 1944, Japanese fighters opened fire on a wave of U.S. planes near Palau, including a bomber carrying pilot Jay Ross Manown Jr., gunner Anthony Di Petta and navigator Wilbur Mitts. Their aircraft crashed into the sea, and the three men were “presumed dead.” They were assigned by the Navy, like so many others, to a purgatorial category—not likely to be alive, but not declared dead, either.
Decades later, a group known as Project Recover worked relentlessly to track down the wreckage and then exhume the bones whose DNA could be tested. They ultimately identified the remains of all three crewmembers, allowing them to be laid to rest and giving a sense of closure to their families.
Host Ari Daniel speaks with Stephen Mihm, who wrote (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/recovering-lost-aviators-world-war-ii-180983690/) about this effort for Smithsonian magazine. And he interviews Rebecca Sheets, Manown’s niece, about what her...
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- The Truth Behind the Legend of King Arthur
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- From the valiant Knights of the Round Table to the romantic allure of Camelot, the legend of King Arthur has endured for centuries. But behind the sword of Excalibur and the Holy Grail lies a lingering question: Was King Arthur a real person?
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The legend of King Arthur is one of the most enduring tales in Western literature, blending history, myth, and folklore. Arthur is often depicted as a noble king who defended Britain against invaders like the Saxons.
The earliest references to Arthur appear in Welsh texts from the 6th century and later in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s "The History of the Kings of Britain." These early accounts portray Arthur as a heroic, almost mythical figure rather than a fully historical one.
Over time, the story of King Arthur grew more elaborate through literature. In 1485, Sir Thomas Malory’s "Le Morte d'Arthur" helped solidify many elements of the legend, including Excal...
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- The Joys of Discovering the Roman Underground, From the Colosseum to What’s Beneath the Trevi Fou...
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- Tourism is surging in many places around the world—swarmed national parks, throngs of visitors amassing in churches and museums, and sidewalk cafes overburdened with diners. In this episode, we’d like to offer a less crowded way to be a tourist: consider going underground.
This summer is a Jubilee Year in Rome, so the city will be more packed than ever. But below the traffic jams and bustle of pedestrians in the streets of Rome lie its subterranean sites, which include ancient aqueducts, pagan shrines and even apartment complexes built centuries ago. While tourists pound the pavement visiting the iconic landmarks aboveground, explorers can search beneath the streets of the Eternal City for a different perspective on ancient—and modern—Roman life.
Host Ari Daniel speaks with Smithsonian contributing writer Tony Perrottet, who wrote recently about Rome’s underworld (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/explore-romes-hidden-underworld...
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- National Treasure: What Malcolm X Reveals About the Power of Speech on His 100th Birthday
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- On the anniversary of his 100th birthday, we revisit the life, legacy and words of Malcolm X. Known for his fiery speeches and unwavering stance against racial injustice, he was a powerful voice for Black empowerment. Speaking with bold truth and urgency, his vision for racial equality made him one of the most influential figures of the civil rights era.
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Malcolm X was a transformative leader whose voice and vision reshaped the struggle for civil rights in America. Born Malcolm Little in 1925, he rose to prominence as a minister and spokesperson for the Nation of Islam, advocating for Black empowerment, self-reliance, and resistance to systemic oppression.
With his sharp intellect and fiery oratory, Malcolm challenged the mainstream civil rights movement by rejecting nonviolence and calling out the deep-rooted racism embedded in American society.
In 1964, after a pilgrimage to Mecca, Malcolm expe...
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- Looking Back on the L.A. Wildfires Through the Lens of Two Photographers
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- After multiple wildfires ripped through greater Los Angeles earlier this year, Californians were left to rebuild communities and grapple with the loss of life, nature and property. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and as many as 180,000 residents (https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-wildfires-latest-at-least-5-dead-more-than-100000-forced-to-evacuate.html) were under evacuation orders until the flames could be controlled. Unfortunately, this seems to be the new order in California; officials are already working (https://www.ksbw.com/article/california-new-c-130-tanker-fight-wildfires/64592194) to prepare for the next fire season.
In this episode, host Ari Daniel speaks with photographer Ivan Kashinsky, who witnessed and documented (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/los-angeles-photographer-captures-the-devastating-fires-threatening-his-beloved-community-180985870/) the devastation of the Palisades Fire up close, even as he tried to rescue hi...
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- Can We Predict the Universe’s Randomness — or Is It All Just Chaos?
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- From coin flips to river levels to the placement of freckles, many events appear random at first glance—but dig a little deeper, and limits to the chaos start to emerge. Mathematician Michel Talagrand, winner of the 2024 Abel Prize, made groundbreaking contributions to understanding these seemingly random processes.
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We live in a universe governed by chaos: any system, if left alone, will gradually rise in entropy – a measure of uncertainty or disorder. Randomness, which does not follow patterns, surrounds us.
The mathematical study of randomness is rooted in probability theory, which helps us understand and quantify uncertainty. At its core, probability theory deals with the likelihood of different outcomes in unpredictable situations.
A key concept in this field is the random variable, which represents outcomes of a random experiment, and probability distributions, which describe how likely ...
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- Why are dolls so creepy?
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Are you afraid of dolls? If so, you're not alone. The fear of dolls is known as pediophobia, which is classified under the broader fear of humanoid figures (automatonophobia) and related to pupaphobia, a fear of puppets.
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- Why are chocolate Easter bunnies hollow?
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Have you experienced the moment when you bite into what looks like a solid chocolate rabbit, only to find emptiness?
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- Dive Into the Deeper Story of the American Revolution on How New England and Virginia United Agai...
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Two hundred and fifty years ago this month, silversmith Paul Revere took to his horse on a midnight ride to warn American rebels that British troops were approaching. The famous ride and an ensuing battle at Lexington and Concord (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-have-discovered-the-first-musket-balls-fired-in-the-american-revolution-180984726/) touched off the American Revolution.
But there are other stories involving the role that enslaved Africans and Southern colonists played in launching and sustaining the rebellion that led to the founding of the United States of America. Host Ari Daniel speaks with Nikki Stewart of Old North Illuminated (https://www.oldnorth.com/about-old-north-illuminated/) and Smithsonian writer Andrew Lawler (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/author/andrew-lawler/) about these lesser-known histories.
Read the original Smithsonian article here (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-spurred-sout...
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- National Treasure: Amelia Earhart Designed a New Future for Women
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In 1932, Amelia Earhart made history as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, cementing her legacy in aviation. But her influence extended far beyond the cockpit. Earhart also launched a women’s clothing line that blended style with practicality – encouraging women to embrace an active and adventurous lifestyle.
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Amelia Earhart revolutionized the landscape of aviation – and her bold spirit made her an enduring symbol of courage and adventure. Born in Atchison, Kansas, she became fascinated with flying after taking a plane ride in 1920.
Earning her pilot’s license a year later, Earhart quickly began making a name for herself in aviation. Her 1932 solo flight across the Atlantic solidified her place in history and demonstrated her skill and determination.
Earhart became a global icon, using her fame to encourage women to break societal boundaries and pursue their dreams. She ...
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- A Field of Dreams Built in an Unlikely Place: A Japanese American Internment Camp
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Baseball was a way of life in the camps that incarcerated Japanese Americans during World War II. The United States government stripped the Americans who lived in these camps of their liberties, but for those communities, having played the game for generations, baseball brought them closer to each other and, paradoxically, to their country. At Manzanar, one such site at the foot of the Sierra Nevada in California, dozens of baseball and softball teams played regularly.
Decades after the camps closed, and after Japanese Americans had returned to their homes on the West Coast, Manzanar was established as a historic site (https://www.nps.gov/manz/index.htm) . Replicas of camp buildings were erected to memorialize what had happened there, but the baseball field was in complete disrepair. Artist and baseball enthusiast Dan Kwong led the herculean restoration effort. Host Ari Daniel talks with Kwong and Smithsonian writer Rachel Ng, who reported (https://www.smithsonianma...
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- National Treasure: Revealing the Stunning 2.33-Carat Winston Red Diamond
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- The Winston Red Diamond, one of the rarest gems in the world, is a stunning 2.33-carat red diamond displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Its captivating color and rarity make it a marvel of nature.
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The Winston Red Diamond is one of the rarest diamonds on Earth – and can now be spotted in a new exhibition at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, along with a whole rainbow of colored diamonds.
Colored diamonds, like the Winston Red, owe their hues to impurities or structural anomalies. For instance, yellow diamonds get their color from nitrogen, while blue diamonds are altered by boron. With green diamonds, their hues come from something quite unexpected: radiation damage.
Only a few red diamonds have been found worldwide, and they tend to be smaller in size, which makes the Winston Red even more distinct – and speaks to the natural beauty that can be found deep und...
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- Who Was the Real Cleopatra?
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Cleopatra was the last ruler of ancient Egypt, famous for her sharp mind and political savvy. She navigated tumultuous family rivalries and formed powerful alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, shaping the fate of empires. Her dramatic life and mysterious death continue to captivate history lovers and storytellers alike.
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Cleopatra VII, the last queen of Egypt, was a master strategist who worked tirelessly to secure her kingdom's independence. Ascending the throne at a young age, she navigated family rivalries and political unrest to solidify her reign.
Known for her intelligence and ambition, Cleopatra strengthened Egypt's economy and military, revitalizing the nation during a time of crisis.
Her diplomatic skills were legendary. She forged crucial alliances with powerful figures to maintain Egypt's sovereignty and influence. She also worked to restore Egypt's cultural and economic promine...
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- What you might not know about spring animal migrations
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- As we celebrate the start of spring, it’s time to look at three animals that make epic migrations every year.
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- How Text Messaging Took Over the Way We Talk
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- When was the last time you sent a text message? From its start more than 30 years ago, texting has slowly but surely become the dominant form of communication. How did it all begin?
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- The Swarm of People Intent on Saving Our Bees
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Native bees in the United States are dying due to pesticides, disease and habitat loss. These insects play a critical role in nature and on farms, yet we know very little about native bees in part because they’re a challenge to study.
That’s where a legion of bee enthusiasts and amateur experts, called “beeple,” come in. Armed with nets and jars, they fan out across the country to find, document and study native bees, both common and rare. Host Ari Daniel interviews Smithsonian writer Susan Freinkel and self-proclaimed bee enthusiast Michael Veit about the future of bees through the lens of the beeple who care deeply about them.
Read the original Smithsonian article by Susan Freinkel here (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/intrepid-team-bee-lovers-doing-everything-save-rare-native-species-extinction-180986181/) .
To subscribe to “There’s More to That,” and to listen to past episodes on the tale of wha...
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- 8 Mind-Boggling Facts About the Octopus
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Did you know octopuses are highly intelligent animals with the ability to problem-solve complex puzzles – and even change color? They have three hearts and blue blood, helping them survive in deep ocean environments. Their eight arms give them incredible flexibility and control, making them the masters of movement.
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Octopuses are among the most fascinating creatures on Earth, known for their intelligence and agility. These marine animals belong to the mollusk class and have evolved to thrive in various ocean environments. With three hearts, blue blood, and the ability to regenerate limbs, octopuses are truly unique.
One of their most remarkable features is their brain. Octopuses have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any invertebrate, and studies show they exhibit behaviors associated with problem-solving, learning, and even using tools. Experiments show that they can watch other octopuses perform tasks and m...
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- A Mystery Surrounding the Grave of JFK Is Solved
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Before he was a civil rights activist, James Felder was a member of the elite U.S. Honor Guard who helped bury John F. Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery after his assassination in 1963. In a move that was unrehearsed, after laying the casket to rest, the members of the Honor Guard placed their military hats upon the gravesite in what James Felder called “a final salute to President Kennedy.”
Years later, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis commissioned a bronze wreath to be made in honor of her husband that incorporated the caps. Once completed, this sculpture disappeared quite suddenly. Half a century later, improbably, it was found due to the help of a couple of sleuths at a private garden in Northern Virginia.
In this episode, we hear from Elinor Crane of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation and James Felder.
Read the original Smithsonian article by Ellen Wexler here (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-secret-sculpture-...
- Title
- Fact or Fiction? The Legend of the QWERTY Keyboard
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- The QWERTY keyboard was invented by Christopher Latham Sholes in the 1870s – and has stayed around ever since. Today, QWERTY's widespread adoption and legacy ensure its dominance, even in the face of technological advancements.
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A little more information:
Christopher Latham Sholes, a newspaper editor and inventor, developed the QWERTY keyboard while working on the first practical typewriter. Sholes, along with his colleagues, experimented with various key layouts, eventually settling on the now-famous arrangement of letters.
This design, featuring the distinctive "QWERTY" cluster in the top-left corner of the keyboard, was later adopted by the Remington Company for its first commercially successful typewriter in 1873. As typewriters grew ubiquitous in offices and businesses across the world, the QWERTY layout became the standard.
In the 20th century, the rise of computers and their own keyboards further cemented QWERTY’s...
- Title
- How do dancing baby sea turtles learn to navigate?
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A dance-like movement may be the key to understanding how sea turtles navigate the globe. Thanks to a new study, researchers may have uncovered the secret to what makes sea turtles such excellent navigators. Their research suggests loggerhead turtles have two different magnetic senses: one that they use like a compass, which tells them the general direction to travel in, and another that they use for mapping, which helps them home in on specific coordinates.
- Title
- The Truth About the Sex Lives of Dinosaurs
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Dinosaurs are often thought of as aggressors—giant beasts that dominated our planet for millions of years. But these prehistoric animals almost certainly had a softer side. In the last decade, researchers have gained tantalizing insights into the sex lives and mating habits of these ancient reptiles.
In this episode, Smithsonian contributing writer Riley Black (https://rileyblack.net/) describes new evidence that reveals how and when dinosaurs mated—including ancient behavior recorded in rock, a new theory around dinosaur horns and spikes, and a prehistoric cloaca.
Read Riley's coverage of dinosaurs here (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/everything-you-want-know-about-dinosaur-sexual-anatomy-reproduction-from-their-genitalia-how-they-laid-eggs-95156234/) and here (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-a-mass-extinction-driven-by-ancient-volcanoes-led-to-the-age-of-the-dinosaurs-180985737/) .
To s...
- Title
- Could there be microplastics in your brain?
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- How do you feel about having microplastics in your brain? New research shows that 7 grams of these tiny plastics, roughly the weight of a plastic spoon, could be in your brain right now! What could this mean for your health?
