Poison and Poisonability
When we think of serial killers, we tend to think of men—Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Jack the Ripper. But in the 1800s, the deadliest killers often wore corsets. In fact,…
Children say it every day in school, but have you ever wondered why we recite the pledge of allegiance?
We journey back to the late 1800s to understand how a massive wave of immigration and sagging magazine subscriptions gave rise to this vow of patriotism. From the Civil War…
The ‘Gentle Anarchy’ of the Muppets
Icky Gunk. Moldy Hay. Kermit. You might recognize one of these names. Before Kermit joined Miss Piggy and Big Bird, he was kicking it with Sam and Friends—a local TV…
Midnight Magic
From gulping grapes in Spain to donning yellow underwear in South America and practicing Scotland’s ancient “first-footing” tradition, people around the world embrace odd—and oddly meaningful—rituals to ensure good luck…
Smithsonian Podcast: Get Off My Lawn
The history of the American lawn
Grandma Turned Me into a Ghost
Who were the very first people who helped solidify your identity? The people who really influenced the way you see yourself and how you interact with the world? For most of us,…