Meilan Solly
Smithsonian Magazine
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Meilan:
Bones Found in Medieval Well Likely Belong to Victims of Anti-Semitic Massacre
A new DNA analysis suggests the 17 individuals were Ashkenazi Jews murdered in Norwich, England, in 1190 → Read More
New American Girl Doll Celebrates Black Joy During the Harlem Renaissance
Nine-year-old Claudie Wells' story unfolds in 1920s New York → Read More
The Myths of Lady Rochford, the Tudor Noblewoman Who Supposedly Betrayed George and Anne Boleyn
Historians are reevaluating Jane Boleyn's role in her husband and sister-in-law's downfall → Read More
Why American Girl Dolls Are Starring in Viral History Memes
The popular posts call for characters who witnessed the Salem Witch Trials, JFK's assassination and other historical events → Read More
The Secrets of a Long-Overlooked Cipher Linked to Catherine of Aragon
Henry VIII's first wife may have commissioned the design as an act of defiance during the Tudor king's attempt to divorce her → Read More
Who Was Norma McCorvey, the Woman Behind Roe v. Wade?
Dubbed "Jane Roe," McCorvey sought an abortion after becoming pregnant in 1969 but was thwarted by Texas' restrictive reproductive laws → Read More
What Happened the Last Time the U.S. Tried to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent?
A 1974 switch to year-round DST proved unpopular, with Americans expressing "distaste" for the long, dark winter mornings → Read More
How Much Medieval Literature Has Been Lost Over the Centuries?
A new analysis suggests that just 9 percent of manuscripts produced in Europe during the Middle Ages survive today → Read More
How Agatha Christie's Love of Archaeology Influenced 'Death on the Nile'
In the 1930s, the mystery writer accompanied her archaeologist husband on annual digs in the Middle East → Read More
Meet the 'Most Important' Jewish Woman in Medieval England
A new statue honors Licoricia of Winchester, a 13th-century moneylender whose life illuminates the challenges faced by Jews at the time → Read More
The Ten Best History Books of 2021
Our favorite titles of the year resurrect forgotten histories and help explain how the U.S. got to where it is today → Read More
The Unheralded Women Scribes Who Brought Medieval Manuscripts to Life
A new book by scholar Mary Wellesley spotlights the anonymous artisans behind Europe's richly illuminated volumes → Read More
Commemorate 9/11 With Free Virtual Programs, Resources From the Smithsonian
Here's how the American History Museum, the National Postal Museum and more are reflecting on the tragedy → Read More
Thirty-One Smithsonian Artifacts That Tell the Story of 9/11
From a Pentagon rescuer's uniform to a Flight 93 crew log, these objects commemorate the 20th anniversary of a national tragedy → Read More
The Relationship Between Race and Wellness Has Never Been More Pressing
A new Smithsonian initiative kicks off this week with a virtual summit examining these urgent issues → Read More
A History of Gymnastics, From Ancient Greece to Tokyo 2020
The beloved Olympic sport has evolved drastically over the past 2,000 years → Read More
Juneteenth, the U.S.' Second Independence Day, Is Now a Federal Holiday
June 19, 1865, marked the end of slavery in Texas and, by extension, the Confederate states → Read More
Commemorate Juneteenth With Free Virtual Programs From the Smithsonian
On June 19, NMAAHC will honor the end of slavery in the U.S. with events featuring Annette Gordon-Reed, Adrian Miller and more → Read More
Why the Controversy Over a Black Actress Playing Anne Boleyn Is Unnecessary and Harmful
Long before Jodie Turner-Smith's miniseries came under criticism, British Indian actress Merle Oberon portrayed the Tudor queen → Read More
The Enduring Nostalgia of American Girl Dolls
The beloved line of fictional characters taught children about American history and encouraged them to realize their potential → Read More