History

May 19, 2025

Harvard Paid $27 for a Copy of the Magna Carta, Turns Out To Be a Rare Original

In 1946, Harvard Law School scored what it viewed as a great deal when it paid $27.50 for a copy of the Magna Carta. Almost 100 years later, that bargain turned out even better than they imagined, as scholars have just revealed that the “copy” is actually a rare original. This makes it just one of seven created after King Edward I's 1300 declaration. Interestingly, Harvard has its digitization project to thank for the discovery.

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May 7, 2025

30,000 Ceramic Red Poppies Flow Across the Tower of London’s Lawn

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, 30,000 ceramic poppies have returned to the Tower of London. Originally part of the 2014 Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red public art installation, they will remain on view until November 11, Armistice Day. Ceramic artist Paul Cummins created 888,246 red ceramic poppies for the 2014 installation, one for every British or Colonial service person killed during the First World War.

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April 23, 2025

The “Most Lifelike” Image of Abraham Lincoln May Fetch up to $1 Million at Auction

Decades after Abraham Lincoln’s death, George B. Ayres created a photograph of the renowned president. Ayres produced the interpositive between 1895 and 1900 from an original negative of a portrait taken by Alexander Hesler in 1860 for Lincoln’s first presidential campaign. Now, this singular image of Lincoln is finally up for sale, and is expected to fetch anywhere from $800,000 to $1 million at auction.

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April 4, 2025

Trump Executive Order Forces Changes to the Smithsonian To Eliminate “Ideological Indoctrination or Divisive Narratives”

Since 1847, the Smithsonian Institute has worked to spread knowledge and preserve America's national heritage. With a historical archive of over 157 items spread across 21 museums, 21 libraries, 14 education and research centers, a zoo, and historical and architectural landmarks, the institution's importance cannot be understated.  However, after President Donald Trump released an executive order on March 27, there will be big changes to how the Smithsonian presents American history.

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