The influence of China and Japan on global history has been immense, and goes back further than many Americans may realize. To understand these nations in the context of the modern world, Justin M. Jacobs, associate professor of history at American University, provides a comprehensive perspective on thousands of years of their pasts in an informative lecture series. This session focuses on ancient Chinese philosophers.

Tuesday, September 4, 2018 - 6:45 p.m.

Taiwan and its many smaller offshore islands may not be huge in area, but they contain vast history, traditions, cultures, and natural attractions. Get ready to explore many of the treats Taiwan has to offer and discover many of its indigenous cultures during a single spectacular evening, featuring Taiwanese music and food and drink samples.

Thursday, September 6, 2018 - 6:45 p.m.

Sababa is Hebrew slang for great or cool. It is also the name of a new contemporary Israeli restaurant in Cleveland Park. Sababa opens exclusively to Smithsonian guests for a family-style lunch and a glass of wine—and author and culinary expert Joan Nathan adds a dash of cultural context to the proceedings.

Friday, September 21, 2018 - 12:00 p.m.

The influence of China and Japan on global history has been immense, and goes back further than many Americans may realize. To understand these nations in the context of the modern world, Justin M. Jacobs, associate professor of history at American University, provides a comprehensive perspective on thousands of years of their pasts in an informative lecture series. This session focuses on ancient China.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018 - 6:45 p.m.

Austrian-born wine importer Klaus Wittauer offers a guide to the country’s leading wine-producing regions, and leads a tasting of a number of products from these distinctive terrioirs.

Thursday, October 4, 2018 - 6:45 p.m.

Sicily bears fascinating traces in art, architecture, and cuisine of the many civilizations that have ruled it over the centuries. Food historian Francine Segan examines how a myriad of cultures influenced the flavors of this island’s iconic dishes. After the program, sample Sicilian history at a reception featuring the region’s desserts and wines.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 - 6:45 p.m.

Food columnist, blogger, and photographer Nik Sharma joins the Washington Post’s Joe Yonan to discuss how he creates recipes shaped by a personal outlook on food that spans and mixes cultures, traditions, and cuisines.

Thursday, October 11, 2018 - 6:45 p.m.

He has been criticized for restricting freedom in Russian and eradicating any real dissent and political opposition. But at home, Putin has exhibited remarkable staying power that few other democratically elected heads of state can rival. Historian George E. Munro, an expert in Russian history, explores various questions in an absorbing program that examines the case for Vladimir Putin as the leader of Russia.

Thursday, November 1, 2018 - 6:45 p.m.

Explore the history, culture, and signature sites of four great cities—Kiev (now Kyiv), Novgorod, Moscow, and St. Petersburg—with historian George E. Munro. He shows how they exercised power, celebrated religion, and fostered trade while pursuing a singular path into the present.

Saturday, November 3, 2018 - 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The influence of China and Japan on global history has been immense, and goes back further than many Americans may realize. To understand these nations in the context of the modern world, Justin M. Jacobs, associate professor of history at American University, provides a comprehensive perspective on thousands of years of their pasts in an informative lecture series. This session focuses on modern Chinese history.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018 - 6:45 p.m.

The influence of China and Japan on global history has been immense, and goes back further than many Americans may realize. To understand these nations in the context of the modern world, Justin M. Jacobs, associate professor of history at American University, provides a comprehensive perspective on thousands of years of their pasts in an informative lecture series. This session focuses on the Japanese Empire.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - 6:45 p.m.