Smithsonian

A White House report accuses the Smithsonian of bias and hostility toward White people in its historical narratives. The Smithsonian's leadership disputes these claims, and a Washington Post op-ed argues the White House itself has a bias problem. The op-ed's author, Philip Kennicott, discusses the issue.

President Trump and his allies have criticized the Smithsonian's presentation of American history and culture, calling it 'improper ideology.' The dispute centers on the portrayal of U.S. history and cultural narratives.

The AIDS Memorial Quilt, created by Cleve Jones, is the largest communal art project in the world, commemorating those lost to AIDS through over 50,000 handmade panels. It began in 1987 to humanize the epidemic, which faced stigma and inadequate government response, and has grown to cover a mile-long stretch on the National Mall.

Trump is positioned as a central figure in his party's efforts to shape the 250th anniversary of American independence, while competing groups like Freedom 250 and America 250 highlight political divisions. The National Mall's Great American State Fair and July Fourth events underscore the partisan tensions surrounding the anniversary.

A mysterious 'golden orb' discovered 2 miles deep in the Gulf of Alaska in 2023 has been identified as a remnant of a rare giant deep-sea anemone, Relicanthus daphneae, through a collaborative scientific investigation by NOAA and the Smithsonian. The object, initially sparking speculation as an alien egg or unknown species, was analyzed using morphological, genetic, and bioinformatics methods.

A pre-dawn collision between a work vehicle and a stationary train in Washington, D.C., injured 11 people and caused major disruptions on the Silver Line, including limited service and delays. The incident occurred shortly after midnight, with Metro Center reopening around 5:15 a.m., but delays continued through the morning.