Explore the diverse breathtaking moments From urban streets to remote landscapes across the globe

A mute testimony to the horrors of war, this shattered, bullet-riddled stump is all that remains of a large oak tree caught in the crossfire during one of the most ferocious battles of the American Civil War in 1864. Now housed at the National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.

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A mute testimony to the horrors of war, this shattered, bullet-riddled stump is all that remains of a large oak tree caught in the crossfire during one of the most ferocious battles of the American Civil War in 1864. Now housed at the National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.

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The chairs and oval table used by the generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee during the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to the United States Army at Appomattox, on April 9, 1865. Now housed at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

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The chairs and oval table used by the generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee during the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to the United States Army at Appomattox, on April 9, 1865. Now housed at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

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In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on this portable desk. It features a hinged writing board and a locking drawer for papers, pens and inkwell. Now housed at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

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In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on this portable desk. It features a hinged writing board and a locking drawer for papers, pens and inkwell. Now housed at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

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This argillite Haida panel pipe may depict a real incident—an unfortunate sailor caught in the ship’s rigging and dragged to his death. C. 1830 CE, from British Columbia in Canada, now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

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This argillite Haida panel pipe may depict a real incident—an unfortunate sailor caught in the ship’s rigging and dragged to his death. C. 1830 CE, from British Columbia in Canada, now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography

A cache of 11 duck decoys found in 1924 at Lovelock Cave in Nevada. These remarkable hunting tools were made from bundled tule, a long grass-like herb, covered in feathers and painted. Now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

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A cache of 11 duck decoys found in 1924 at Lovelock Cave in Nevada. These remarkable hunting tools were made from bundled tule, a long grass-like herb, covered in feathers and painted. Now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

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“Headdress” said to have belonged to Crazy Horse , a Lakota war leader who helped lead the combined Native forces that defeated the 7th Cavalry under George Armstrong Custer at the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn. National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.

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“Headdress” said to have belonged to Crazy Horse , a Lakota war leader who helped lead the combined Native forces that defeated the 7th Cavalry under George Armstrong Custer at the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn. National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.

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This large relief sculpture of a crouching feline was carved by Nopiloa artist from an irregular boulder of volcanic stone. It most likely depicts one of the 2 largest predators in the Americas, either a jaguar or a puma. From Mexico, 600–1000 CE, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum

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This large relief sculpture of a crouching feline was carved by Nopiloa artist from an irregular boulder of volcanic stone. It most likely depicts one of the 2 largest predators in the Americas, either a jaguar or a puma. From Mexico, 600–1000 CE, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum

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The Tuxtla Statuette is a 16.5 cm high Nephrite figurine, from Mexico, carved as a squat, bullet-shaped human with a duck-like bill and wings. Its Epi-Olmec glyphs include a Mesoamerican Long Count date, possibly March 162 CE. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.

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The Tuxtla Statuette is a 16.5 cm high Nephrite figurine, from Mexico, carved as a squat, bullet-shaped human with a duck-like bill and wings. Its Epi-Olmec glyphs include a Mesoamerican Long Count date, possibly March 162 CE. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.

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Betty White's shoulder bag is a time capsule of World War II. From the National Museum Of American History.

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Betty White's shoulder bag is a time capsule of World War II. From the National Museum Of American History.

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8,000-year-old flute made of migratory bird bone, one of the world's oldest known musical instruments. With four main holes and one at the end, its a testament to early humans' sophisticated skill in making musical instruments. Discovered in Shahrud, its housed at National Museum of Iran.

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8,000-year-old flute made of migratory bird bone, one of the world's oldest known musical instruments. With four main holes and one at the end, its a testament to early humans' sophisticated skill in making musical instruments. Discovered in Shahrud, its housed at National Museum of Iran.

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A large 10th century CE ceramic plate decorated with two concentric rings of Arabic script. Samanid period, from Iran or Afghanistan, 46.8 cm diameter, now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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A large 10th century CE ceramic plate decorated with two concentric rings of Arabic script. Samanid period, from Iran or Afghanistan, 46.8 cm diameter, now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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Moccasins made of deer hide, glass beads and cotton thread, associated with Peo Peo T´olikt, grandson of Ni Mii Puu leader Xa xac ilpilp . Ca. 1880 CE, from Idaho, now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

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Moccasins made of deer hide, glass beads and cotton thread, associated with Peo Peo T´olikt, grandson of Ni Mii Puu leader Xa xac ilpilp . Ca. 1880 CE, from Idaho, now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

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Armor of Satake Yoshishige, daimyo of Hitachi Province from 1562 to 1589 CE. Renowned for his ferocity in battle; he was also known by the nickname of "Ogre Yoshishige" . The armor is now housed at the Satake Historical Museum in Japan

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Armor of Satake Yoshishige, daimyo of Hitachi Province from 1562 to 1589 CE. Renowned for his ferocity in battle; he was also known by the nickname of "Ogre Yoshishige" . The armor is now housed at the Satake Historical Museum in Japan

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The only 4 surviving Aztec feather shields, dated to the 16th century CE. They are now housed at the Weltmuseum in Vienna , at the National Museum of History in Mexico , and the others at the Landesmuseum Württemberg in Stuttgart

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The only 4 surviving Aztec feather shields, dated to the 16th century CE. They are now housed at the Weltmuseum in Vienna , at the National Museum of History in Mexico , and the others at the Landesmuseum Württemberg in Stuttgart

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The Mildenhall Treasure is a large hoard of 34 masterpieces of Roman silver tableware from the 4th century CE, and by far the most valuable Roman objects artistically and by weight of bullion in Britain. It was found at West Row in 1942, and is now housed at the British Museum

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The Mildenhall Treasure is a large hoard of 34 masterpieces of Roman silver tableware from the 4th century CE, and by far the most valuable Roman objects artistically and by weight of bullion in Britain. It was found at West Row in 1942, and is now housed at the British Museum

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During an invasion of Naghadeh around 1200 BC, one of the soldiers grabbed a golden bowl from the treasury and tried to escape with it. He fell and died clutching it, bending the bowl under his weight. Discovered beneath his skeleton in 1958, it’s now housed at National Museum of Iran.

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During an invasion of Naghadeh around 1200 BC, one of the soldiers grabbed a golden bowl from the treasury and tried to escape with it. He fell and died clutching it, bending the bowl under his weight. Discovered beneath his skeleton in 1958, it’s now housed at National Museum of Iran.

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A limestone sculpture of the Cosmic Buddha Vairochana draped in robes portraying the Realms of Existence. Northern Qi dynasty, 550–577 CE, from China, now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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A limestone sculpture of the Cosmic Buddha Vairochana draped in robes portraying the Realms of Existence. Northern Qi dynasty, 550–577 CE, from China, now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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15 large thin-necked stone axes, made of light gray flint, all unused, were laid as a sacrificial offering at Hagelbjerggård in Zealand, Denmark, somewhere between 3000 and 4000 BCE. Now housed at the National Museum of Denmark

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15 large thin-necked stone axes, made of light gray flint, all unused, were laid as a sacrificial offering at Hagelbjerggård in Zealand, Denmark, somewhere between 3000 and 4000 BCE. Now housed at the National Museum of Denmark

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The Lute and White Snake of Benten ; painted by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai in 1847 CE. Now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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The Lute and White Snake of Benten ; painted by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai in 1847 CE. Now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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