American History

Visit the Butterfly Pavilion at the Natural History Museum

Events Oct. 3-6: Butterfly Pavilion, Quiltmaking Demonstration, America in Black and White and African Drumming

This week, see exotic insects, learn a new craft, be part of a thought-provoking discussion on race and join a drum circle

See the documentary "Columbus Day Legacy" this Saturday at the American Indian Museum.

Weekend Events Sept. 30 – Oct. 2: Treasures at the Museum, Columbus Day Legacy, and Portrait Discovery

This weekend, get a book autographed, see a thought-provoking documentary, and see the Portrait Gallery in a whole new way

The original penicillin mold discovered by Fleming is in the collections held at the American History Museum

The List: Medical Innovations at the Smithsonian

On the anniversary of the legendary discovery of polio, take a tour of the most significant medical inventions in history

Performer Diosa Costello, honored at a donation ceremony last week

Legendary Performer Diosa Costello Donates Wardrobe to Smithsonian

A pioneer of theater, nightclubs and Broadway gives her costumes to the American History Museum

An early pair of Levi Strauss & Co.'s "Duck Trousers"

The Origin of Blue Jeans

On the anniversary of Levi Strauss' death, learn the creation story of one of the most popular articles of clothing

Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham

Meet Michael Pahn: The Fiddle and The Violin are Identical Twins (that Separated at Birth)

Guest blogger and musician Michael Pahn prefers his fiddle to a violin, though they are the same instrument

A broadside version of Washington's Farewell Address, first published 215 years this week.

The Real Birth of American Democracy

This week, 215 years ago, the lofty ideals of the Constitution passed their first test

Come learn about the Zoo's Aldabras tortoises.

Events Sept. 19-22: The Life of Cleopatra, Aldabras Galore, Celebrate the Land, and La Buena Vida

This week, hear about the queen of ancient Egypt, see some of the world's largest tortoises, talk to curators about the environment, and more

"B.B. King," by Morgan Monceaux.

Celebrating B.B. King, the Face of the Blues

A look back at the American music icon

Learn about the Andean Chawaytiri community at Jose Barreiro's lecture.

Events Sept 12-15: The Star-Spangled Banner, The Chawaytiri of Peru, Smith Art Lecture, and Airmen of Note

See American history come alive, listen to lectures by distinguished speakers, and enjoy the sounds of one of the country's top jazz bands

"Tiles for America" is located at the corner of 7th and Greenwich Avenues in New York City

Handcrafted "Tiles for America" Project Remembers 9/ll

An art installation that spontaneously appeared after the terrorist attacks returns to New York City

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Weekend Events Sept 9-11: Remembering 9/11, Oral Traditions, and Jazz Competition

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Remembering 9/11 at the American History Museum

Visitors from across the country have made a pilgrimage to the Smithsonian to see an exhibit about the fateful day 10 years ago

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Events August 22-25: Addy’s World, Draw & Discover, Child of the Civil Rights Movement and More

Take a tour through American history, create your own art, listen to an author speak about civil rights, and enjoy a tour of an exhibition soon to close

Nose Cone from B.F. Skinner's Pigeon-Guided Missile, on display in "Science in American Life."

B.F. Skinner’s Pigeon-Guided Rocket

On this date 21 years ago, noted psychologist and inventor B.F. Skinner died; the American History Museum is home to one of his more unusual inventions

Smithsonian's autographed Babe Ruth baseball.

How Babe Ruth Changed Baseball

During his storied career, he set dozens of records, altered the fortunes of a number of teams and developed a new style of play for baseball

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"

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