American History

Phyllis Diller's joke cabinet

One Funny Lady, or, How I Was Killed by Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller's "Gag File"—a file cabinet full of her jokes—goes on display at the National Museum of American History today

Aaron Ogden, Aaron Burr and Jonathan Dayton, three men from Elizabethtown, New Jersey, were hell-bent on winning power and wealth.

Burr, Ogden and Dayton: The Original Jersey Boys

Known as much for their troubles as their successes, these childhood friends left their mark on early American history

Where Nixon’s Troubles Began

On this day in 1974, President Nixon resigned from his office. Find out how it all started with a file cabinet

The Paricutin Volcano, 1943, taken by William F. Foshag, NMNH curator of minerals.

Events August 8-11: Student Sit-ins, When Volcanoes Erupt and John Wayne in the Philippines

This week: experience the Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins, get a lesson on volcano scholarship and attend an evening "Mingle at the Museum"

Marilyn Monroe's gloves

Remembering Marilyn Monroe

Forty-nine years ago today, America's biggest movie star was found dead at the age of 36. Why did she take her own life?

Chapman To and Wong Cho-lam star in “La Comédie Humaine,” screening at the Freer Galley Friday at 7 PM

Weekend Events August 5-7: Chinese Comedy, Story Time, and the Star-Spangled Banner

A Chinese film screening, fold the Star-Spangled Banner and other upcoming events for the weekend

According to author Christine Sismondo, taverns, such as the one shown here in New York City, produced a particular type of public sphere in colonial America.

The Spirited History of the American Bar

A new book details how the neighborhood pub, tavern, bar or saloon plays a pivotal role in United States history

A ward in Carver General Hospital, Washington, D.C.

Touring the Tools of Civil War Medicine

Denis Leary donated props from the show "Rescue Me."

“Rescue Me” Stars Visit the Smithsonian

Scavengers play Pheon

Weekend Events July 15-17: The Inca Road, Pheon and More

This weekend take part in a satellite discussion about the Inca Road, Pheon and a look into a new American History exhibition

Balancing act: men and their big-wheeled ordinaries in one of the first bicycling touring clubs, in 1879 near Readville, Massachusetts.

The List: Tour de Smithsonian—Historic Bicycles Worthy of Display

All Power to the People: The Story of the Black Panther Party, 1970

“For All the World to See” Taking Another Look at the Civil Rights Movement

"For All The World To See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights," encourages visitors to take another look at the civil rights movement

A 1941 Goddard Rocket on display in the Milestones of Flight gallery at the National Mall building.

Events Post July 11-15: ExplorAsia, Addy’s World, the Goddard 1940/41 Rocket, Al Najoom and Hubble 3D

At the exhibition "On the Water," learn about pirates.

Events Post July 4-8: a tour of Air and Space’s highlights, jury duty for the John Brown trial, a trip to the Ocean Hall, Pirates and the dancing Siletz

The week of July 4, join the Smithsonian Institution in offering you a look at the Air and Space Museum, an exploration of piracy, an Ocean Hall scientist

"What I like best about myself is my demeanor. I'm seldom ruffled," said Arthur Ashe following his five-set triumph in the men's final of the 1968 U.S. Open (above).

How Arthur Ashe Made Tennis History

On July 5, 1975, Arthur Ashe beat heavily-favored Jimmy Connors to become the first African-American man to win Wimbledon

During the Civil War, Fort Monroe served as the key staging ground for Northern campaigns against Norfolk, the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the Southern capital of Richmond.

Fort Monroe’s Lasting Place in History

Famous for accepting escaped slaves during the Civil War, the Virginia base also has a history that heralds back to Jamestown

Temple Leslie and Rosalie Bourland on their wedding day

June: A Time for Weddings and Wedding Tales

A wedding dress made from a WWII parachute makes for a sweet story

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June 20-24 Events Post: Interactive Carts, ImaginAsia, Choctaw Days, Forensic Science, and Tarantulas

This week join the Smithsonian Museums in offering you interactive carts, a look into the life of a Chinese opera performer, a Choctaw Indian festival

The Greensboro lunch counter

Weekend Events: June 17-19: Sun Spots, Tom Hanks, and the Greensboro Lunch Counter

Visit the Smithsonian museums to look at some of the wonders of the universe and dive into the Portrait Gallery for a double feature

Two of the newest U.S. citizens who were naturalized on Sept. 20, 2010.

Twenty People Become Citizens at the American History Museum

Holocaust survivor and civil rights activist Gerda Weissmann Klein addresses new citizens at the museum's sixth naturalization ceremony

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