https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/history/RSS feed for HistoryenWed, 05 Aug 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-has-history-forgotten-world-war-iis-largest-prison-break-which-claimed-the-lives-of-more-than-200-japanese-pows-180989246/During the 1944 Cowra breakout, over 900 prisoners attempted to escape from an Allied camp in Australia. The uprising resulted in the deaths of 234 Japanese men and 5 AustraliansWed, 05 Aug 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-has-history-forgotten-world-war-iis-largest-prison-break-which-claimed-the-lives-of-more-than-200-japanese-pows-180989246/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/stanford-universitys-founding-matriarch-was-a-travel-loving-philanthropist-who-met-a-tragic-end-a-new-exhibition-explores-her-life-grief-and-death-by-poison-180989211/Jane Stanford's legacy is the focus of a new showcase at the California university. The display features artifacts that have never previously been exhibitedThu, 30 Jul 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/stanford-universitys-founding-matriarch-was-a-travel-loving-philanthropist-who-met-a-tragic-end-a-new-exhibition-explores-her-life-grief-and-death-by-poison-180989211/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/we-all-know-the-story-of-the-pompeii-victims-who-died-when-mount-vesuvius-erupted-2000-years-ago-archaeologists-are-still-learning-about-those-who-made-it-out-alive-180989207/A semi-fictionalized documentary series hosted by actor Tom Hiddleston follows three people in the ancient towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum who experienced the disaster in 79 C.E.Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:41:15 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/we-all-know-the-story-of-the-pompeii-victims-who-died-when-mount-vesuvius-erupted-2000-years-ago-archaeologists-are-still-learning-about-those-who-made-it-out-alive-180989207/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-1863-massacre-was-the-deadliest-slaughter-of-native-americans-in-us-history-now-the-shoshone-are-restoring-the-site-of-the-attack-180989200/Amid mounting tensions between white settlers and the Shoshone, Union soldiers killed an estimated 250 to 500 Shoshone. Today, the Indigenous nation is working to bring "nature back into balance"Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-1863-massacre-was-the-deadliest-slaughter-of-native-americans-in-us-history-now-the-shoshone-are-restoring-the-site-of-the-attack-180989200/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-ship-sank-in-the-baltic-sea-with-presents-bound-for-a-romanov-czar-its-cargo-included-champagne-luxury-mineral-water-and-rare-meteorites-180989198/New research suggests that a shipwreck discovered off the coast of Sweden in 2024 may have been transporting gifts from the German Duchy of Nassau to Alexander II of Russia in the immediate aftermath of the Crimean WarMon, 27 Jul 2026 13:19:09 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-ship-sank-in-the-baltic-sea-with-presents-bound-for-a-romanov-czar-its-cargo-included-champagne-luxury-mineral-water-and-rare-meteorites-180989198/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-indian-maharaja-saved-hundreds-of-polish-orphans-during-world-war-ii-offering-them-refuge-when-no-one-else-would-180989150/Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, ruler of the princely state of Nawanagar, opened his realm to young Poles who had been detained in Soviet labor camps as the children of the intelligentsiaWed, 22 Jul 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-indian-maharaja-saved-hundreds-of-polish-orphans-during-world-war-ii-offering-them-refuge-when-no-one-else-would-180989150/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/was-there-ever-an-original-version-of-the-odyssey-and-do-we-need-to-worry-about-what-homer-would-think-180989143/The earliest surviving fragments of the epic poem—the subject of Christopher Nolan's latest Hollywood blockbuster—date back more than 2,000 years. But oral storytelling about a hero named Odysseus is much olderFri, 17 Jul 2026 18:40:24 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/was-there-ever-an-original-version-of-the-odyssey-and-do-we-need-to-worry-about-what-homer-would-think-180989143/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/thousands-intimate-photographs-reveal-the-everyday-lives-the-romanovs-russias-last-imperial-family-180989126/The Bolsheviks executed the last czar, Nicholas II, and the rest of his family, including his famous daughter Anastasia, 108 years ago. Surviving snapshots open a portal into the royals' private worldThu, 16 Jul 2026 16:43:13 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/thousands-intimate-photographs-reveal-the-everyday-lives-the-romanovs-russias-last-imperial-family-180989126/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/dna-reveals-the-identity-of-a-teenager-who-died-in-the-revolutionary-war-cracking-a-nearly-250-year-old-cold-case-180989095/John Pumphrey was still a boy when he enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. After archaeologists discovered his remains, a genetic genealogy analysis identified 20,000 DNA matches for living relativesFri, 10 Jul 2026 16:07:49 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/dna-reveals-the-identity-of-a-teenager-who-died-in-the-revolutionary-war-cracking-a-nearly-250-year-old-cold-case-180989095/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/take-an-exclusive-look-at-three-newly-discovered-medieval-shipwrecks-in-menorcas-cove-of-mysteries-180989092/Meteorological tsunamis likely sank the 13th-century trading vessels, whose cargo included objects from both Christian kingdoms and Moorish communities on the Iberian PeninsulaThu, 09 Jul 2026 12:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/take-an-exclusive-look-at-three-newly-discovered-medieval-shipwrecks-in-menorcas-cove-of-mysteries-180989092/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-tens-of-thousands-of-irish-immigrants-led-the-patriots-to-victory-during-the-american-revolution-180989052/Soldiers of Irish heritage accounted for up to 50 percent of the Continental Army's ranks. Driven from their homeland by British oppression, Irish-born rebels also served as spies, politicians and moreWed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-tens-of-thousands-of-irish-immigrants-led-the-patriots-to-victory-during-the-american-revolution-180989052/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/during-world-war-i-this-woman-asked-americans-to-welcome-immigrants-and-urged-new-arrivals-to-assimilate-180989035/Progressive reformer Frances Kellor spearheaded efforts to celebrate Americanization Day, arguing that immigrants should fully embrace U.S. culture to better adapt to life in their new homeTue, 30 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/during-world-war-i-this-woman-asked-americans-to-welcome-immigrants-and-urged-new-arrivals-to-assimilate-180989035/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-century-and-a-half-after-custers-last-stand-the-battle-of-little-bighorn-continues-to-mystify-180988984/The June 1876 firefight resulted in the deaths of George Armstrong Custer and 267 of his men. Historians continue to debate exactly how the Lakota Sioux and the Northern Cheyenne secured their victory over the U.S. ArmyWed, 24 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-century-and-a-half-after-custers-last-stand-the-battle-of-little-bighorn-continues-to-mystify-180988984/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-angry-out-of-work-fishermen-saved-the-patriots-during-the-american-revolution-180988968/The British punished rebellious New Englanders by depriving them of their livelihood. This led unemployed mariners to enlist in the patriot causeMon, 22 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-angry-out-of-work-fishermen-saved-the-patriots-during-the-american-revolution-180988968/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/americas-150th-birthday-celebration-was-deemed-the-nations-greatest-flop-what-went-wrong-with-the-sesquicentennial-180988946/Philadelphia politicians hoped to replicate the success of the 1876 Centennial Exposition. Instead, the 1926 world's fair lost millions of dollars, essentially bankrupting the city on the eve of the Great DepressionTue, 16 Jun 2026 12:57:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/americas-150th-birthday-celebration-was-deemed-the-nations-greatest-flop-what-went-wrong-with-the-sesquicentennial-180988946/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/whats-behind-steven-spielbergs-lifelong-obsession-with-flying-saucers-and-extraterrestrial-visitors-180988903/Half a century after "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," the director returns to the subject of UFOs with "Disclosure Day." His science fiction films are informed by his fascination with alien encounters in American suburbiaThu, 11 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/whats-behind-steven-spielbergs-lifelong-obsession-with-flying-saucers-and-extraterrestrial-visitors-180988903/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-journalist-took-corruption-used-tool-that-hadnt-been-used-much-american-history-unvarnished-truth-180988855/Lincoln Steffens was a reporter so dogged that political party bosses called him a “born crook that’s gone straight.” He and his fellow muckrakers redefined modern journalismThu, 11 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-journalist-took-corruption-used-tool-that-hadnt-been-used-much-american-history-unvarnished-truth-180988855/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/concept-peaceful-disobedience-established-america-traveled-world-taking-hold-180988847/“Force may subdue, but love gains”: The Quaker practice of conscientious objection evolved through Thoreau, Tolstoy and Gandhi before becoming the hallmark of the Civil Rights movementThu, 11 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/concept-peaceful-disobedience-established-america-traveled-world-taking-hold-180988847/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/one-quietest-leaders-civil-rights-movement-ella-baker-led-encouraging-everyone-get-involved-180988846/Baker's work was instrumental in the success of the NAACP and other organizations, but she did it in a way that didn’t put herself in the spotlight. That was by designWed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/one-quietest-leaders-civil-rights-movement-ella-baker-led-encouraging-everyone-get-involved-180988846/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/woodrow-wilson-legacy-loaded-good-bad-work-even-economic-playing-field-often-overlooked-180988853/He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in ending WWI and strove to improve the plight of American workers. Today, his blind spots shroud most of his accomplishmentsWed, 10 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/woodrow-wilson-legacy-loaded-good-bad-work-even-economic-playing-field-often-overlooked-180988853/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/some-presidents-offer-more-just-policy-here-are-five-brought-innovative-spirit-office-180988834/One president invented campaign buttons so he could just stay home during election season. Another one rallied Americans to go to the moon. And one—only one—holds a patent.Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/some-presidents-offer-more-just-policy-here-are-five-brought-innovative-spirit-office-180988834/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-photographer-turned-focus-social-justice-helped-usher-first-child-labor-laws-180988833/Lewis Hine didn’t consider his job as taking pictures; it was “detective work.” Sometimes gaining access with ruse and subterfuge, he captured stark images that touched hearts and changed mindsTue, 09 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-photographer-turned-focus-social-justice-helped-usher-first-child-labor-laws-180988833/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/theodore-roosevelt-survived-an-assassination-attempt-because-a-speech-tucked-inside-his-pocket-slowed-the-bullet-he-insisted-on-delivering-his-remarks-anyway-180988911/"I am very much uninterested in whether I am shot or not," he told an audience in Milwaukee. Newly discovered documents shed light on how the 26th president wanted the incident to shape his legacyTue, 09 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/theodore-roosevelt-survived-an-assassination-attempt-because-a-speech-tucked-inside-his-pocket-slowed-the-bullet-he-insisted-on-delivering-his-remarks-anyway-180988911/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/pivotal-moment-civil-war-frederick-douglass-delivered-speech-reframed-what-was-at-stake-slavery-stood-180988836/In “The Mission of the War,” America’s incomparable orator helped turn public sentiment in favor of the Union and Abraham Lincoln, beginning the process of “national regeneration”Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/pivotal-moment-civil-war-frederick-douglass-delivered-speech-reframed-what-was-at-stake-slavery-stood-180988836/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/harriet-beecher-stowe-wrote-work-fiction-that-seemed-so-real-changed-history-country-180988826/To fight against slavery, the author collected true stories then picked up a pen and distilled them into “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/harriet-beecher-stowe-wrote-work-fiction-that-seemed-so-real-changed-history-country-180988826/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/among-all-great-things-benjamin-franklin-invented-discovered-alter-egos-gave-him-most-freedom-180988824/Silence Dogood. Richard Saunders. Benevolus. Sidi Mehemet Ibrahim. All were pen names that allowed Franklin to say things he couldn’t have otherwise saidMon, 08 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/among-all-great-things-benjamin-franklin-invented-discovered-alter-egos-gave-him-most-freedom-180988824/