American History
Smithsonian Events Week of 3/2-3/6/09: Kiwis, Kites and Bendy Straws
Monday, March 2: Meet a KiwiThe National Zoo is offering an opportunity to meet a kiwi—the famous, endangered icon of New Zealand that bears a striking resemblance to a certain fruit of the same name. Learn about the birds and the conservation efforts being made on their behalf. (See the birth of K...
March 02, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Endangered Site: Centennial Baptist Church
Built by a self-taught black architect, the Arkansas church has hosted leaders in the black community for over a century
March 2009 |
By Marian Smith Holmes
O Say Can You Sing? at American History Museum
Got pipes? The National Museum of American History, with USA Weekend magazine as a cohort, is hosting a Star-Spangled Banner singing contest. Entering is easy. All you have to do is visit the contest Web site, join the YouTube Group and submit a video of your performance by April 13. (Videos have t...
February 18, 2009 |
By Megan Gambino
Todd Duncan: We Love You, Porgy
Todd Duncan (1903-1998) was a classically trained baritone who performed more than 2,000 recitals in 51 countries over the course of his lifetime, in addition to teaching music at Howard University here in DC. However, he will perhaps always be remembered for originating the role of Porgy in the gr...
February 06, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Super Bowl. Party Time!
We at the ATM blog tirelessly searched the Smithsonian collections and turned up a sweet treat for our readers
February 01, 2009 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Lincoln's Contested Legacy
Great Emancipator or unreconstructed racist? Each generation evokes a different Lincoln. But who was our sixteenth president?
February 2009 |
By Philip B. Kunhardt III
The Freedom Riders, Then and Now
Fighting racial segregation in the South, these activists were beaten and arrested. Where are they now, nearly fifty years later?
February 2009 |
By Marian Smith Holmes
Obama Campaign Office Acquired by NMAAHC
The Falls Church, Virginia, office provides record of a historic victory, now part of the collections
January 29, 2009 |
By Megan Gambino
Official Smithsonian Word on Michelle Obama's Inaugural Gown
When will the Smithsonian receive and display Michelle Obama's inaugural dress? We've just received this communique from Lisa Kathleen Graddy, the National Museum of American History's curator of the First Ladies collections."Like everyone else, we were anxiously waiting to see Mrs. Obama's dress (...
January 27, 2009 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Smithsonian Inaugural Collections Grow with Obama Souvenirs
Over the inaugural weekend, Smithsonian curators were among the crowds searching for significant artifacts that will later mark the historical moment. Larry Bird, a curator at American History, brought back the goods:"I collected a homemade hat from a New Jersey woman who has promised to send it to...
January 22, 2009 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
First Ladies At the Smithsonian
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January 22, 2009 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Weekend Events: It's an Inauguration Celebration!
Plan for this landmark weekend at goSmithsonian.com and Find a complete listing of the Smithsonian's Inaugural Events.Friday, January 16: Inaugural Activities: Yoko Ono's Wish TreeCelebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as well as your hopes and dreams for the future of our country. Come by the ...
January 16, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
College Students To Debate Obama's Priorities at Inaugural Event
What should President-elect Barack Obama do in his first 100 days of office? Should he push for universal health care? Intervene in the Israel-Gaza conflict? Put forward legislation to create green jobs?These questions will be discussed by some of the nation’s top college debaters at The Inaugural ...
January 14, 2009 |
By Joseph Caputo
Indians on the Inaugural March
At the invitation of Theodore Roosevelt, six Indian chiefs marched in his inaugural parade as representatives of their tribes
January 14, 2009 |
By Jesse Rhodes
From Edison's Light Bulb to the Ball in Times Square
On New Year’s Eve 1879, after toiling in his laboratory for over a year, Thomas Alva Edison unveiled his electric light bulb to the public in his hometown of Menlo Park, New Jersey. The very bulb is on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.Twenty-eight years later, also o...
December 30, 2008 |
By Megan Gambino
The Stories Behind Holiday Songs
This past Sunday, on a stage in the foyer of the National Museum of American History, three theatrical performers sang a version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" I had never heard before—the original version. "Have yourself a merry little Christmas / It may be your last / Next year we ma...
December 23, 2008 |
By Megan Gambino
Inaugural Firsts
When was the first inaugural parade? Who had the longest inaugural address? A look at presidential inaugurations through time
December 17, 2008 |
By Brian Wolly
Smithsonian Weekend Events December 12-14
Friday, December 12: Bootleg FilmThe best of friends, a gangster and a cop go on a road trip to attend the funeral of a woman who was married to one and had a "bit on the side" with the other. A darkly comic road trip movie with some unexpected twists and turns. In Japanese with English subtitles. ...
December 12, 2008 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Smithsonian Events Week of December 8-14
Monday, December 8 Tour Arts of JapanIf you only know Japanese art by way of manga, broaden your horizons by coming on out to the Freer Gallery for a guided tour of its extensive collection of screens, paintings, lacquerware, prints, ceramics and sculpture. Free. Meet at Info Desk. Freer Gallery of...
December 08, 2008 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Guess the Crowd at American History Museum
Visitors over the Thanksgiving holiday rocked the house over at the newly re-opened National Museum of American History. At one point on Friday, Nov. 28, access to the building had to be "pulsed," in other words, you couldn't get in, unless someone came out. Visitors gamely lined up on the National...
December 02, 2008 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
