With Washington, D.C. COVID-19 state of emergency, Smithsonian officials say museums to close Saturday, March 14; events canceled through May 3

In an official statement, the Institution announced temporary closures beginning Saturday, March 14

Remote Isle au Haut is integrating time-tested technology with emerging innovations to create its own microgrid

Don’t let the coronavirus quarantine hold you back from becoming an armchair traveler

View these vivid illustrations by Japanese artist Kōkichi Tsunoi of the varieties of trees presented to the United States in 1912

From doodle sessions to zoo tours, here's a week of online activities to keep your kids learning during the school shutdown

Through their images, these artists combat the stereotypes perpetuated by American history and culture

Venturing into the wilderness for often weeks at a time, nature photographer Dawn LaPointe is used to social distancing

In New York City, a desperate need among healthcare workers has pushed to the forefront the question: Is homemade equipment safe to use?

Do some armchair traveling and see the breathtaking vistas of all 50 states while learning about their histories

The 72-year-old animal was the third oldest in the North American population

Authors, scientists and others are offering fun livestream lessons and performances to keep kids engaged during isolation

Transform your Zoom virtual background or computer desktop into a work of art

Tulips, cherry blossoms and orchids supply a ray of hope during self-isolation

Learn hip-hop dance or do citizen science without leaving home this week, thanks to the internet's many intrepid artists and educators

A Smithsonian folklorist examines Jewish humor in the midst of a pandemic

From Vietnam to Antarctica, this year's winners bring you amazing glimpses of a changing world—and the indefatigable human spirit

Engineers around the world are tweaking drones, robots and smart tools to help prevent the spread of the virus

He was talented and prosperous, but the young visionary worried the art world had left him behind. Then he discovered soup

The new book 'The Rainbow Atlas' invites readers on a vivid journey across the globe

Steeds who made headlines for winning races now get to enjoy their final years at a slower pace

Despite historic setbacks similar to today's, Americans have become more dedicated travelers

Modified hospital designs have become necessary as the first wave of the pandemic tears through U.S. communities

These virtual versions of classic and lesser-known games are ideal for social distancing

Helping health care workers treat patients and public safety officials contain the pandemic, these robots offer lessons for future disasters

Graffiti artists and muralists are sending messages of hope and despair with coronavirus public art

Schools are shuttered, but kids can dance with New York's Ballet Hispánico and listen to a story from a certain former First Lady

“Care Package” showcases Asian American and Pacific Islander artists, writers and scholars as sources of solace during the Covid-19 pandemic

Why not use quarantine as an opportunity to have your homeschoolers master woodworking or engine repair?

Test your mettle with this puzzle created exclusively for our readers

The National Book Award winner's new book delves into matters of family grief and loss

Find the capital cities, working from a list of state names

These paintings, sculptures and illustrations honor the bonds of motherhood

The projects are helping Australia's drought-stricken rural towns find new life as outdoor art galleries

Browse the collections for artworks with a CC0 license as part of the Smithsonian's Open Access Initiative,

Taken at Berg Lake in Canada.

vitality

An abstract aerial view of a sand dune at sunset at Imperial Sand Dunes, Glamis, California.

Locals at the inle lake drying the clothes in the sun after dye them with colors.

Workers are checking solar power system on the lake. This is the first solar water power plant project in Vietnam. It is in Da Mi lake, Binh Thuan, Vietnam. With a capacity of 47.5 MWp, electricity output is nearly 70 million kWph / year.

Taken during the Banpo fountain light show

Escalator

Gelada Monkey staring into the sunset

Man working on a new building

A perfect landing by a Mute Swan. This image reflects a strong contrast between the calmness induced by the white beauty on the swan against the disturbance caused in the water by its landing. I reduced exposure on the background to reflect the same contrast.

A woman is going up stairs.

This praying mantis looks completely shocked and like it was caught doing something wrong. I had to laugh while taking this shot, as mantis seem to be very expressive sometimes.

A young white bear from Manitoba while lazily enjoying a soft snowfall. It is morning in Hudson Bay, Canada, and the bear has just woken up. I succeeded in capturing it at an extreme temperature (-26 °), in a surreal silence, after observing its habits for a few days. The polar bear spends most of its time sleeping and lounging in the snow. It only moves when it's hungry. To hunt its favorite prey - the seal - it is willing to walk hundreds of miles. Its refined nose allowes the bear to sneak up on its prey with a paw when the seal rises to the surface to breathe.

Two girls run up the rounded walls of the Heydar Aliyev Center in the heart of Baku.

Elder Rabari , camel breeder in Rajasthan.Light his cigarette in the middle of the night.