November 14, 1969: Apollo 12 Mission Launches Into Space On this day in 1969, Apollo 12’s Saturn V vehicle was launched into space, making Apollo 12 the second mission to land a man on the lunar surface. 

History Detectives’ “Moon Museum” episode explores this question: Did the Apollo 12 space mission smuggle Andy Warhol’s artwork to the moon? The detectives track down three eyewitnesses to this historic moment.
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November 14, 1969: Apollo 12 Mission Launches Into Space On this day in 1969, Apollo 12’s Saturn V vehicle was launched into space, making Apollo 12 the second mission to land a man on the lunar surface. 

History Detectives’ “Moon Museum” episode explores this question: Did the Apollo 12 space mission smuggle Andy Warhol’s artwork to the moon? The detectives track down three eyewitnesses to this historic moment.
Zoom Info
November 14, 1969: Apollo 12 Mission Launches Into Space On this day in 1969, Apollo 12’s Saturn V vehicle was launched into space, making Apollo 12 the second mission to land a man on the lunar surface. 

History Detectives’ “Moon Museum” episode explores this question: Did the Apollo 12 space mission smuggle Andy Warhol’s artwork to the moon? The detectives track down three eyewitnesses to this historic moment.
Zoom Info
November 14, 1969: Apollo 12 Mission Launches Into Space On this day in 1969, Apollo 12’s Saturn V vehicle was launched into space, making Apollo 12 the second mission to land a man on the lunar surface. 

History Detectives’ “Moon Museum” episode explores this question: Did the Apollo 12 space mission smuggle Andy Warhol’s artwork to the moon? The detectives track down three eyewitnesses to this historic moment.
Zoom Info

November 14, 1969: Apollo 12 Mission Launches Into Space

On this day in 1969, Apollo 12’s Saturn V vehicle was launched into space, making Apollo 12 the second mission to land a man on the lunar surface.



History Detectives’ “Moon Museum” episode explores this question: Did the Apollo 12 space mission smuggle Andy Warhol’s artwork to the moon? The detectives track down three eyewitnesses to this historic moment.

Source: to.pbs.org

October 29, 1942: PBS Legend Bob Ross is Born

70 years ago today, PBS host and painter Bob Ross was born. Ross was famous for his calm and easy oil painting instructions, including how to paint his famous “happy little trees.”

On his birthday, watch “Happy Little Clouds: Bob Ross Remixed,” a musical remix by PBS Digital Studios.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 21, 1911:  Theft of the Mona Lisa On this day in 1911, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, was stolen from the Louvre in Paris by an employee who walked out of the museum with the painting in his jacket. The thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, claimed to have been motivated by his patriotism to Italy, to where he believed the Mona Lisa should be returned.  However, after two years of having the da Vinci painting in his possession, Peruggia was apprehended trying exchange it for ransom money. In 1998, a portrait of a young Renaissance woman was sold for $20,000.  This portrait is now thought to be an undiscovered masterwork by Leonardo da Vinci worth more than $100 million.  NOVA’s “Mystery of a Masterpiece” investigates whether or not the painting was really a lost Leonardo.
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August 21, 1911:  Theft of the Mona Lisa

On this day in 1911, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, was stolen from the Louvre in Paris by an employee who walked out of the museum with the painting in his jacket.

The thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, claimed to have been motivated by his patriotism to Italy, to where he believed the Mona Lisa should be returned.  However, after two years of having the da Vinci painting in his possession, Peruggia was apprehended trying exchange it for ransom money.

In 1998, a portrait of a young Renaissance woman was sold for $20,000.  This portrait is now thought to be an undiscovered masterwork by Leonardo da Vinci worth more than $100 million. 

NOVA’s “Mystery of a Masterpiece” investigates whether or not the painting was really a lost Leonardo.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 10, 1846:  Smithsonian Institution Established On this day in 1846, Congress passed legislation which founded the Smithsonian Institution, dedicated to the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Funded by the U.S. government, the Smithsonian Institution is now the world’s largest museum and research complex, with 19 museums, 9 research centers, and more than 140 affiliate museums worldwide. Get a preview of “The Art of Video Games,” a Smithsonian exhibit exploring the 40-year evolution of video games as an artistic medium.  “The Art of Video Games” runs through September 30, 2012 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C. Photo:  Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress
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August 10, 1846:  Smithsonian Institution Established

On this day in 1846, Congress passed legislation which founded the Smithsonian Institution, dedicated to the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.”

Funded by the U.S. government, the Smithsonian Institution is now the world’s largest museum and research complex, with 19 museums, 9 research centers, and more than 140 affiliate museums worldwide.

Get a preview of “The Art of Video Games,” a Smithsonian exhibit exploring the 40-year evolution of video games as an artistic medium.  “The Art of Video Games” runs through September 30, 2012 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C.


Photo:  Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

July 29, 1890:  Artist Vincent van Gogh Dies of Gunshot Wound On this day in 1890, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh passed away from a fatal gunshot wound from two days earlier.  There is still speculation as to whether or not the shot was self-inflicted, though the last years of van Gogh’s life were marked by his deteriorating mental health and depression. Van Gogh’s fame increased after his death, and his artwork has now become some of the most recognizable and sought-after pieces ever.  With his paintings now going for millions of dollars, museum curators and collectors must be on the lookout for forged van Gogh paintings. NOVA scienceNOW investigates whether a computer can distinguish between an original van Gogh painting and a fake.
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July 29, 1890:  Artist Vincent van Gogh Dies of Gunshot Wound

On this day in 1890, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh passed away from a fatal gunshot wound from two days earlier.  There is still speculation as to whether or not the shot was self-inflicted, though the last years of van Gogh’s life were marked by his deteriorating mental health and depression.

Van Gogh’s fame increased after his death, and his artwork has now become some of the most recognizable and sought-after pieces ever.  With his paintings now going for millions of dollars, museum curators and collectors must be on the lookout for forged van Gogh paintings.

NOVA scienceNOW investigates whether a computer can distinguish between an original van Gogh painting and a fake.

Source: to.pbs.org

July 19, 1834: French Painter Degas Born On this day in 1834, French artist Edgar Degas was born in Paris.  Although he was considered one of the founders of Impressionism, a movement classified by the inclusion of movement and loose shapes in paintings, Degas preferred to be called a realist.  He preferred to paint and portray common scenes of contemporary life, which led to his collection of works featuring dancers for which he is known. Degas eventually outgrew the “ballerina stage” of his career, shifting subject matter and changing his technique.  Check out this timeline of Degas and Dance, and get an exclusive look at the exhibition of his sketchbooks at the Morgan Library and Museum.
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July 19, 1834: French Painter Degas Born

On this day in 1834, French artist Edgar Degas was born in Paris.  Although he was considered one of the founders of Impressionism, a movement classified by the inclusion of movement and loose shapes in paintings, Degas preferred to be called a realist.  He preferred to paint and portray common scenes of contemporary life, which led to his collection of works featuring dancers for which he is known.

Degas eventually outgrew the “ballerina stage” of his career, shifting subject matter and changing his technique. 

Check out this timeline of Degas and Dance, and get an exclusive look at the exhibition of his sketchbooks at the Morgan Library and Museum.

Source: to.pbs.org

Editor’s Note: Completely forgot to publish this yesterday! July 15, 1606:  Dutch Artist Rembrandt Born On this day in 1606, famous Dutch painter and etcher Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born.  Considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history, Rembrandt was best known for his portraits, self-portraits and illustrations of scenes from the Bible. Do you know how much a piece of Rembrandt’s work is worth today?  Watch this appraisal of a Rembrandt etching (printed by another artist, Basan). Image: Library of Congress
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Editor’s Note: Completely forgot to publish this yesterday!

July 15, 1606:  Dutch Artist Rembrandt Born

On this day in 1606, famous Dutch painter and etcher Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born.  Considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history, Rembrandt was best known for his portraits, self-portraits and illustrations of scenes from the Bible.

Do you know how much a piece of Rembrandt’s work is worth today?  Watch this appraisal of a Rembrandt etching (printed by another artist, Basan).

Image: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

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