How does ‘Oppenheimer’ re-create history? We asked Christopher Nolan.July 28, 2023 – The acclaimed director tells National Geographic he was determined not to use CGI—and to hew as closely as possible to real life in his telling of the story. Here’s how he pulled it off.
Gloves, running the ‘gauntlet’ of historyJuly 07, 2020 – Whether for fashion, health, or work, hand coverings can tell us a lot about the past.
Beyond the Western myth of exploration lies a rich and often overlooked historyJune 12, 2023 – Why do we explore? It’s just what humans do. But how we define it is changing.
Beloved yet banned: The surprising history of tie-dyeMay 15, 2023 – The ancient art form has existed for thousands of years. In that time it’s been outlawed, used in religious ceremonies, and celebrated as a symbol of love.
A revolutionary team of climbers makes history on EverestMay 13, 2022 – By successfully summiting the world’s tallest mountain, a group of Black and Nepali climbers makes mountaineering more inclusive.
Flag Day's long—and surprising—history explainedJune 14, 2023 – Decreed by each president, this June holiday honors the American flag, a key symbol of the republic.
A brief history of human spaceflight—1961 to presentHumans have been flying to space for nearly six decades—from Yuri Gagarin’s first flight above Earth’s atmosphere to the construction and inhabitation of the International Space Station.
Was Napoleon even short? Inside the history of discrimination against short menNovember 22, 2023 – He was a French dictator—the original short king. Napoleon's supposedly short stature made him the mockery of Europe and inspired a stigma that persists today.
In Asia, a gilded history lies hidden in plain sightOctober 08, 2021 – Singapore holds vibrant signs of Peranakan heritage for those curious enough to look.
This Tuscan spa town offers ancient history and healing watersNovember 28, 2023 – The remarkable archaeological site proves that San Casciano dei Bagni has been a place of wellness since Etruscan times.
4 French royal mistresses who made their mark on historyJune 23, 2023 – From Madame de Pompadour to Jeanne du Barry, these women wielded power in pre-Revolutionary France as companion to the king.
Why do we celebrate Memorial Day—and should it return to its roots?May 26, 2023 – Not to be confused with Veterans Day, this federal holiday honors those who lost their lives in service of their country.
From police raids to pop culture: The early history of modern dragJune 02, 2023 – Today’s drag queens trace their roots back to clandestine balls hosted by Black performers in the late 19th century.
The surprising history of Hawai‘i’s hula traditionMarch 22, 2022 – How a sacred Hawaiian dance and music ritual was canceled, commercialized, and finally, revived.
The heartbreaking, controversial history of Mount RushmoreOctober 28, 2020 – Tourists flock to South Dakota’s massive presidential portraits. How they got there is a complex tale of land grabs, egos, and foiled movie scenes.