American History
The Great Escape From Slavery of Ellen and William Craft
Passing as a white man traveling with his servant, two slaves fled their masters in a thrilling tale of deception and intrigue
June 17, 2010 |
By Marian Smith Holmes
Events: Bolivan Arts Festival, Movies From Hong Kong, National History Day and More!
Monday, June 14: Ten-Day Festival: Arts and Artisans from Bolivia and the Peruvian Island of TaquileThe indigenous participants in the festival include the Chiquitanos, Guarayos, Icocenos, and Ayoreosl from the eastern lowlands of Bolivia, who demonstrate and sell a wide array of products and craft...
June 14, 2010 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Weekend Events: Flag Day and Crochet
Friday, June 11: Sorry kids, no special events today. But be sure to check out this site for regularly-scheduled evening events at the Smithsonian.Saturday, June 12: Flag Day Family FestivalCome celebrate Flag Day at the American History Museum! Observe a naturalization ceremony for 25 children fro...
June 11, 2010 |
By Jesse Rhodes
A Year of Hope for Joplin and Johnson
In 1910, the boxer Jack Johnson and the musician Scott Joplin embodied a new sense of possibility for African-Americans
June 2010 |
By Michael Walsh
The History Behind a Slave's Bill of Sale
On a worn, aged piece of paper dated 1835, a judge describes the details of his sale: a 16-year-old girl named Polly, with "yellow complexion and black eyes," the sale and purchase of whom the judge says he will warrant and defend "at all cost."The Bill of Sale, as documents like this became known,...
May 24, 2010 |
By Erica R. Hendry
Tracking History Through Rainbow Bridge
Old photographs of early 20th century outdoorsmen outline the path used by hikers today seeking the American Southwest landmark
May 24, 2010 |
By Jim Conaway
Muhammad Ali's Gear Headed to the Permanent Collections
It was 1964, and the famous heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali was preparing for one of his biggest fights: the battle against then-world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston.Liston was clearly the favored fighter. He held 7 to 1 odds against Ali, still known by his given name, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr...
May 20, 2010 |
By Erica R. Hendry
It's Your Turn to Be the Inventor at the American History Museum
Every invention has a story. And the National Museum of American History's Lemelson Center wants visitors to help tell it.For the first time, the center is reaching out to the public to help plan its new exhibit, tentatively called "Places of Invention," which will explore the social, psychological...
May 19, 2010 |
By Erica R. Hendry
Brown v. Board of Education: Celebrating 56 Years of a Civil Rights Milestone
In 1952, the United States Supreme Court heard a series of cases dealing with desegregating America's public schools—the most famous of which being Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka Kansas. When 13 African American parents tried to enroll their children in schools in their community, they were de...
May 17, 2010 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Weekend Events: Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!
Friday, May 7: Korean Film Festival DC 2010: Rough CutIn this film from South Korea, an actual gangster—and aspiring thespian—is offered a chance to play a thug on film. He accepts, but on one condition: all the fights in the movie must be real. The tumultuous relationships that develop between hi...
May 07, 2010 |
By Jesse Rhodes
May the Fourth Be With You at American History Museum
Today is an unofficial holiday for Star Wars fans everywhere. Take the famous Star Wars greeting, "May the force be with you" and slightly modified it with today's date, "May the 4th be with you," and voilà, a day to celebrate the George Lucas films and their legacy.For those in search of a littl...
May 04, 2010 |
By Erica R. Hendry
The Soul of Memphis
Despite setbacks, the Mississippi River city has held onto its rollicking blues joints, smokin' barbecue and welcoming, can-do spirit
May 2010 |
By Jamie Katz
Wayne B. Wheeler: The Man Who Turned Off the Taps
Prohibition couldn't have happened without Wheeler, who foisted temperance on a thirsty nation 90 years ago
May 2010 |
By Daniel Okrent
Spotlight on the Dimmer Switch: Handy Home Device Honored by American History Museum
Earlier yesterday morning, an assortment of dimmer switches was donated to the Smithsonian. Yes, the dimmer switch now has a spot in the collections of the National Museum of American History.Now, now, before you totally write it off, ask yourself one thing: how good is the lighting design in your...
April 30, 2010 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Weekend Events: Jazz, Craft, and Afro-Native American Culture
Friday, April 23: Native Theater: Grandchildren of the Buffalo Soldiers by William S. Yellow Robe Jr.William S. Yellow Robe Jr.'s Grandchildren of the Buffalo Soldiers examines the culture clash between the Native American and African American communities during post-Civil War westward expansion as...
April 23, 2010 |
By Jesse Rhodes
The Apollo Theater Hits the Smithsonian Stage
Named for the Greek god of music, New York's Apollo Theater has been a pantheon of American talent for almost 100 years. Built in 1914 in the heart of Harlem, the theater rose to prominence in the mid-1930s as a showcase for African American performers, offering aspiring artists a springboard to br...
April 23, 2010 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Former Navy Officer Donates a Cane Once Used by President Kennedy
It was pitch black in the middle of the open Japanese waters, where Navy Lt. Cmdr Ted Robinson was serving one night in August 1943. As he and his crew navigated through the darkness, a fiery explosion lit up the skyline.The crew soon learned that the explosion came from one of their own boats, the...
April 23, 2010 |
By Erica R. Hendry
Events: Quilting, Crafts, Earth Day and all that Jazz
Monday, April 19: A Stitch in Time: Block-by-Block Quilting SeriesIdeal for persons aged 8 and older, this workshop will introduce you to the basics of quilting. That’s right, you too can gain the skill set required to make a piece suitable to keep you warm or to hang on the wall as a part of your ...
April 19, 2010 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Events: Ethel Merman, Musical Theater, Apollo 13 Memorabilia and More!
Monday, April 12: The Music in the Musical: The Light in the Piazza and Sophisticated LadiesThe Smithsonian heads out to DC's Arena Stage in a panel discussion that will explore how the sounds of opera and jazz spring up in Broadway musical theater—specifically in pieces like The Light in the Piazz...
April 12, 2010 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Weekend Events: Jazz in the Park, Art and Cocktails and Fabulous Furniture!
Friday, April 9: Hirshhorn After Hours: A Special Evening of Art, Music, and CocktailsCome unwind from a busy week by enjoying an evening of art, music and libations at the Hirshhorn. In one of the hippest happenings in DC, come enjoy performances by Bill Shannon and his dance crew The Step Fenz al...
April 09, 2010 |
By Jesse Rhodes
