The 1920 Debate That Proved the Universe Was Bigger
Two astronomers stood before the Smithsonian in 1920 to argue about the size of our universe. One of them would be proven spectacularly right, changing everything we know about our cosmic home.
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21 results for "smithsonian"
1913 Cartoonist Built Wife a Tiny Paper Gallery as Love Letter
When Alfred Joseph Frueh's wife faced an overwhelming Paris gallery visit, he didn't just offer encouragement. He built her a miniature paper museum that unfolds like a map of love.
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Scientists Plant 33,518 Trees to Build the Perfect Forest
Researchers in Maryland are planting over 33,000 trees in 200 test plots to discover which species combinations create the healthiest, most beneficial forests. This decades-long experiment could transform how we restore forests worldwide.
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Historic Civil Rights Carousel Returns to National Mall
A merry-go-round that witnessed a brave Black toddler's first ride at a newly desegregated Maryland park in 1963 is spinning again on the National Mall after a stunning restoration. The same day Sharon Langley made history on this carousel, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech 45 miles away.
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Webb Telescope and Parker Probe Models Now at Smithsonian
Two groundbreaking space exploration artifacts have found their permanent home at the Smithsonian. The engineering models behind humanity's deepest looks into the universe and closest approach to the sun are now inspiring visitors in Virginia.
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Punk Rocker" Baby Egrets Win Smithsonian Photo Contest
Three spiky-headed egret chicks fighting in their New Jersey nest just won the grand prize in Smithsonian Magazine's 23rd annual photo contest. The image beat out 17,000 submissions from 108 countries to claim top honors. #
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15 Stunning Photos Celebrate West Africa's Rich Diversity
A visual journey through West Africa reveals the vibrant cultures, landscapes, and daily moments that unite more than a dozen nations. These award-worthy photographs from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest showcase the region's beauty and humanity.
Scientists Map 12 Billion Years of Galaxy's History
Astronomers have unlocked a new way to read a galaxy's past, tracing 12 billion years of cosmic history through chemical fingerprints in space. The breakthrough opens an entirely new field called "extragalactic archaeology" that could reveal how our own Milky Way formed.
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Three Bronze Bison Return to Smithsonian After 134 Years
Giant bronze bison now stand at the entrance of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, honoring both America's 250th anniversary and one of conservation's greatest comeback stories. The installation celebrates how cooperation saved a species from fewer than 1,000 animals to thriving herds today.
NASA's Webb Telescope and Parker Probe Now at Smithsonian
Two groundbreaking NASA missions just found their permanent home at the Smithsonian, giving visitors a chance to stand face-to-face with the technology reaching farther into space than ever before. The displays celebrate humanity's boldest leaps into the unknown.
First Woman Thunderbird Pilot Broke Through 1992 Ban
Colonel Nicole Malachowski became the first woman to fly with the elite Thunderbirds after training for a dream that was illegal when she first announced it in sixth grade. Her custom helmet now inspires visitors at the Smithsonian.
Scientists Map Moon's Surface to Make Lunar Landings Safer
Smithsonian researchers discovered over 1,100 new ridges on the moon that reveal where future moonquakes might occur, helping NASA plan safer landing sites for astronauts returning to the lunar surface. The breakthrough could protect crews heading back to the moon as early as 2027.
Arabian Leopards Get $51M Boost to Save Their Species
With fewer than 120 Arabian leopards left in the wild, a groundbreaking $51.6 million partnership between the Smithsonian and Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for AlUla is racing to save one of the world's rarest big cats. The collaboration will bring these critically endangered leopards to Washington, D.C. for the first time, connecting millions to conservation science while supporting breeding and rewilding efforts.
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15 Winter Sports Photos That Spark Olympic Spirit
Stunning images from the Smithsonian Photo Contest capture everyday athletes embracing ice and snow across the globe. From glacier skating in Alaska to ice fishing in Wisconsin, these photos prove winter sports aren't just for Olympians.
20 Uplifting Smithsonian Exhibits Open in 2026
The Smithsonian is unveiling 20 new exhibitions in 2026, celebrating everything from African LGBTQ+ artists to America's 250th birthday. Major museums are also completing renovations, making it an exciting year to explore the nation's largest museum collection.
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National Zoo Welcomes First Baby Elephant in 23 Years
A healthy Asian elephant calf was born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo on February 2, the first of her species born there since 2001. You can help name her by donating to elephant conservation, with four beautiful Vietnamese names to choose from.
Smithsonian Returns 3 Stolen Hindu Sculptures to India
Three ancient bronze sculptures stolen from Tamil Nadu temples in the 1950s are finally going home after researchers matched them to old photographs. The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art confirmed the sacred Hindu images were illegally removed and sold with falsified documents.
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Smithsonian Opens Largest LGBTQ+ African Art Exhibition
The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art just unveiled "Here," featuring nearly 60 works from 30 LGBTQ+ artists across Africa and its diasporas. It's the biggest exhibition of its kind ever, challenging stereotypes and celebrating joy, community, and centuries of diverse African identity.
Smithsonian Sends Free Telescopes to Rural Schools Nationwide
A new Smithsonian program is delivering free telescopes and astronomy lesson plans to rural schools across America, where students have the darkest skies but the fewest resources. The initiative aims to inspire the next generation of scientists in communities that need STEM support most.
National Portrait Gallery Reveals Bold New Portraiture Winners
Three groundbreaking artists won top honors at the Smithsonian's Portrait Gallery for work that reimagines what a portrait can be. Their innovative pieces use surveillance footage, photography, and painting to tell powerful stories about identity and justice.
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