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National Museum of American History

Smithsonian Voices

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Soccer Goes American: Pelé and the Rise of American League Soccer

"Pele Signs With Cosmos: ‘Soccer Has Arrived’ Here With the same ebullience that has marked his play, Pele took up his new career yesterday as a New York Cosmos forward and soccer's ambassador to the United States." --New York Times, June 11, 1975

Erika T. Zurita, | April 23, 2025

Visitors look at the Star Spangled Banner. It is dimly lit in its gallery at the museum.

What's Happening in May 2025 at the National Museum of American History

New on exhibit, music and more!

Amy Kehs | April 11, 2025

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Museum Happenings This April: Jazz Appreciation Month, Events & More

This April, at the National Museum of American History, we’re celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month! Check out the calendar to learn more!

Amy Kehs | March 24, 2025

Entertainment Nation

Mark Your Calendar: Black History Month, Exhibits, Jazz and More at the National Museum of American History

This February at the museum, we're celebrating a new season of the podcast, commemorating Black History Month, and listening to some jazz. Check out the calendar to find out what's going on this month!

Amy Kehs | January 24, 2025
Kermit the Frog in Entertainment Nation

Last Chance To See Some Pop Culture Favorites including Kermit the Frog

Here's what is happening in January 2025 at the National Museum of American History

Amy Kehs | December 9, 2024
Entertainment Nation Entrance

What's Happening at the National Museum of American History in December

Exhibits, Programs, Music and More!

Amy Kehs | November 15, 2024
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What's Happening in November: Events for Native American Heritage Month and More!

Here's what's happening this month at the National Museum of American History

Amy Kehs | October 22, 2024
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Bernice Johnson Reagon's Lessons for Living

Bernice Johnson Reagon’s life offers us lessons to navigate an unjust world and work toward change. From her role as a Civil Rights activist to her transformative curatorial position at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Reagon demonstrated how songs and musical traditions, particularly those of the oppressed and marginalized, can transform the world.

Camille "Mimi" Borders, GradFUTURES Social Impact Fellow | October 4, 2024
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Spanish-language Television Turns 70 in Puerto Rico

WKAQ, Channel 2 Began Broadcasting March 28, 1954

Lillian E. Agosto Maldonado | April 3, 2024
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Remembering Emmett Till, Appreciating Jazz and More in April

New exhibitions, programming for Jazz Appreciation Month and more at the museum in April

Amy Kehs | March 22, 2024
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Sports Inventions, Music and More, Check Out These March Happenings

March Happenings include a new exhibition, a new online educational video series and the 46th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society

Amy Kehs | March 1, 2024
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How the American History Museum Is Celebrating Its 60th Birthday This January

Events include chamber music and a special vegan menu

Amy Kehs | December 18, 2023
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Jazz Concert Season Kick Off and More December Happenings

December at the Museum includes a look at a historic film, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra season kick-off, and two concerts by the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society.

Amy Kehs | November 17, 2023
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

Celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month and More, Check Out These April Happenings

April Happenings include an exciting new exhibition on the Disney Parks and a program looking at how "place" influences innovation

Amy Kehs | March 30, 2023
The Magnavox Odyssey system arrayed in front of its cover box. The box is decorated with the system's name and small images of various games and children using the Odyssey's controller

How the Magnavox Odyssey Predicted the Future of Video Games

The first home video game system had a lot of the right ideas, just not at the right time

Drew Robarge | October 19, 2022
Gordo comic strip. Uncle Mio (wearing a suit and carrying a box of chocolates bouquet of flowers) talks to his nephew, who explains the qualities of different types of flowers. Behind the two figures appear precise, scientific diagrams of flowers.

How Gus Arriola and Gordo Became Accidental Ambassadors of Mexican Culture

When Arriola started his comic strip, words like 'burrito' were unknown in the United States

Joan Boudreau | September 20, 2022
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Designing Kristi Yamaguchi's Costume to Sparkle Under the Spotlight

In the center of a dark arena, a spotlight illuminates a glittering Kristi Yamaguchi, ready to skate.

Thanh Lieu | September 1, 2022
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Meet the Titans of Jazz

We're here to help you put jazz history's names and faces together—and just in time for Jazz Appreciation Month

Megan Salocks | April 22, 2022
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Ella at the Gala

The Ella Fitzgerald Papers reveal a surprising connection between Fitzgerald and the Kennedy Inauguration

Corey Schmidt | April 20, 2022
Categories
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