American History
Emmett Till's Casket Goes to the Smithsonian
Simeon Wright recalls the events surrounding his cousin's murder and the importance of having the casket on public display
November 2009 |
By Abby Callard
How Arlington National Cemetery Came to Be
The fight over Robert E. Lee's beloved home—seized by the U.S. government during the Civil War—went on for decades
November 2009 |
By Robert M. Poole
The Rescue of Henry Clay
A long-lost painting of the Senate's Great Compromiser finds a fitting new home in the halls of the U.S. Capitol
November 2009 |
By Fergus M. Bordewich
Weekend Events: Judy Garland, Occult Literature and Day of the Dead
Friday, October 30: A Salute to Judy Garland and FriendsIt’s unfortunate to think that Judy Garland may now be best remembered for the tragic circumstances that filled her life, not to mention as one of the ultimate camp icons. I mean she was a darn good entertainer. (Her crowning achievement may v...
October 30, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
The World Series Plays on in New York, Philly, and...Washington?
The battle over (New Jersey) baseball's championship trophy starts tonight as the New York Yankees host the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the World Series. At the Smithsonian, however, it is baseball season year-round. In the collections of the National Museum of American History, curators h...
October 28, 2009 |
By Brian Wolly
Events for the Week of October 26-30: Halloween, Judy Garland, Architectural Tours and More!
Sorry kids, no special events happening at the Smithsonian today. But be sure to check out this site for a listing of regularly-scheduled happenings around the Institution.Tuesday, October 27: American Art Museum Architectural TourThey don't build 'em like they used to—which is why touring building...
October 26, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Congressman Sam Johnson Receives National Patriot Award
U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson—also a member of the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents—received the National Patriot Award, the Medal of Honor Society’s highest civilian award, this past Saturday in Dallas, for his service to the nation. The Republican congressman, who represents the third di...
October 13, 2009 |
By Megan Gambino
Meriwether Lewis' Mysterious Death
Two hundred years later, debate continues over whether the famous explorer committed suicide or was murdered
October 09, 2009 |
By Abigail Tucker
John Brown's Day of Reckoning
The abolitionist's bloody raid on a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry 150 years ago set the stage for the Civil War
October 2009 |
By Fergus M. Bordewich
Columbus' Confusion About the New World
The European discovery of America opened possibilities for those with eyes to see. But Columbus was not one of them
October 2009 |
By Edmund S. Morgan
Motown Turns 50
For years, the recording industry excluded black artists. Along came Motown, and suddenly everyone was singing its tunes
September 29, 2009 |
By Marian Smith Holmes
Smithsonian Events for the Week of 9/28-10/2: Climate Change, Cheetahs, Tito Puente and Reading About Africa
Monday, September 28:Sorry kids, no special events happening at the Smithsonian today. But be sure to check out this site for a listing of regularly-scheduled happenings around the Institution.Tuesday, September 29: Smithsonian Education 3-Day Online Conference: Climate ChangeCome participate in th...
September 28, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Weekend Events: Artists' Roundtable Talk, Martin Schoeller and Poetry Readings
Friday, September 25: Staged Stories Artists’ RoundtableArtists Christyl Boger, Mark Newport, Mary Van Cline, and SunKoo Yuh work in the traditional mediums of ceramics, fiber, and glass—but they take their art in very nontraditional directions. Their work is currently on display in the exhibit St...
September 25, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Lion King Artifacts Join Smithsonian's Circle of Life
Yesterday morning The Lion King took center stage at the American History Museum. Well, parts of it anyway—but even so, a crowd of people turned out to watch the festivities. In a donation ceremony helmed by curator Dwight Blocker Bowers and president and producer of Disney Theatrical Productions T...
September 25, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Twenty-Six New Citizens Naturalized at the American History Museum
Enter the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History through its Mall entrance, and something unusual takes hold.The 960 reflective tiles that are crafted into a five-story American flag, part of the Star Spangled Banner exhibit, sparkle in the ample light of the five-story atrium. Over the ...
September 18, 2009 |
By Abby Callard
American History Museum Explores the Era of the Bracero
In the black-and-white 1956 photograph, a Mexican man presents his himself to two U.S. inspectors who scrutinize his hands, looking for the telling marks of back-breaking labor in the fields: blisters, calluses and weathered, rough skin. This man is entering the country under a guest worker program...
September 17, 2009 |
By Abby Callard
German POWs on the American Homefront
Thousands of World War II prisoners ended up in mills, farm fields and even dining rooms across the United States
September 16, 2009 |
By J. Malcolm Garcia
Smithsonian Events Week of September 14-18: Julia Child, Prince Edward, the Global Arts Scene and More!
Monday, September 14Ah, Monday, Monday—can't trust that day. No free special events scheduled. Sometimes it just turns out that way. So check out this site for a listing of regularly-scheduled events happening at the museums. But rest assured, every other day of the week is fine.Tuesday, September ...
September 14, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Last Chance to See Stephen Colbert's Portrait
Tomorrow is the last day to take your picture in front of Stephen Colbert's portrait, which currently hangs next to Dumbo the Flying Elephant on the National Museum of American History’s third floor. Colbert tirelessly campaigned to donate his portrait to a Smithsonian museum in a well-publicized q...
September 13, 2009 |
By Abby Callard
Dancing Around Abraham Lincoln
Bill T. Jones, one of America’s foremost living choreographers, tackles Lincoln’s complicated legacy in his newest work
September 11, 2009 |
By Rebecca Milzoff
