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American History

Some historians and curators suspect that the empire-style gown, which Dolley Madison owned until her death in 1849, may have been made from the curtains she salvaged from the White House in 1814.

The Legend of Dolley Madison’s Red Velvet Dress

Before the burning of the White House, the First Lady saved some red draperies. Could she have made a dress from them?

Celebrate Father's Day with a performance by Jack Gladstone, Montana’s Blackfeet troubadour, honoring Olympian Jim Thorpe.

Events June 15-17: Phillip Thomas Tucker, The History of American Glass, Father’s Day Performance

Kick off this Father’s Day weekend with these events for the whole family

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How Trees Defined America

Historian Erik Rutkow argues in a new book that forests are key to understanding how our nation developed and who we are today

The Star Spangled Banner. 1814. Manuscript by Francis Scott Key.

Anthem For America Music Guide

Document Deep Dive: The Musical History of “The Star-Spangled Banner”

Was the national anthem really set to the melody of a drinking tune? Take a closer look at the original manuscript of Francis Scott Key’s song

Dr. Leale's bloodstained cuff

Lincoln’s Assassination, From a Doctor’s Perspective

Celebrate World Oceans Day with Phoenix, the 45-foot, full scale model of a North Atlantic right whale this Friday.

Events June 8-10: World Oceans Day, 100 Years of Girl Scouts, Hat-Making Workshop

This weekend celebrate World Oceans Day, 100 Years of Girl Scouts and hat designer, Lula Mae Reeves

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright presents her red dress and other memorabilia at the American History Museum's joint naturalization-donation ceremony.

Madeleine Albright Welcomes New Citizens at the American History Museum

Vince Rossi wields a laser to document a whale fossil in Chile.

How Two Laser Cowboys Saved The Day

Paleontologist Nick Pyenson was in a race against a construction crew to salvage a bed of whale fossils, so he called upon 3-D technologists for help

New Orleans in a bowl: Proper gumbo is an appetizer as filling, rich and complicated as any dish that follows it.

Best. Gumbo. Ever.

He ate far and wide, but the author found only one true version of the New Orleans dish—Mom’s

Robert Weingarten's layered composite portrait of Dennis Hopper

Vote To Put An Icon in the American History Museum

From now through Friday, you have the chance to help decide which icon of American History will be featured in a new portrait by artist Robert Weingarten

Portrait of Black Madonna, by Benny Andrews, is on display in the new exhibition, “African American Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era and Beyond.”

Events May 25-27: Laundry Day, Healing and Aloha, 100 Artworks at the American Art Museum

This weekend, air out your dirty laundry, live the life of “aloha” and check out the American Art Museum’s latest exhibit

A lithograph of the Battle of New Orleans, circa 1890

The 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the War of 1812

Why did the country really go to war against the British? Which American icon came out of the forgotten war?

It its collection, the National Museum of American History has a fallout shelter, exhumed from a yard in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

How a Fallout Shelter Ended up at the American History Museum

Curator Larry Bird tells of the adventure—from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Washington, D.C.

Celebrate Suma Qamaña, or living well, at the Bolivian Festival this Saturday

Events May 11-13: Gardening for Healthy Living, Bolivian Festival, Steinway Series for Mother’s Day

Celebrate living well with Mom this weekend at Garden Fest, the Bolivian Festival and at the Steinway series with Mendelssohn Piano Trio

The Encore Chorale at the Kogod Courtyard at last year's popular performance.

Events May 8-10: Carolyn Morrow Long, Encore Chorale Spring Concert, and The Unknown Aaron Burr

Steve Jobs' patent for the iPod classic included the scroll wheel.

The Patents Behind the Genius: Steve Jobs Exhibit Opens Soon at the Ripley Center

The S. Dillon Ripley Center hosts an exhibit of more than 300 of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ patents since 1980.

Latino jazz singer Claudia Acuña will perform her original compositions at the American History Museum.

Events April 17-19: Just a Dream, Craft Show Benefit, and Claudia Acuña

This week, bring the family to a play about eco-friendly practices, preview the Smithsonian Craft Show, and kick back to a Latin jazz concert

This bowl, from a Chinese restaurant opened during the Chinese immigration surge to Hawaii in the 1920s, tells one of the "American Stories" in the American History Museum's new exhibition.

The American History Museum’s New Approach to Telling “American Stories”

A new exhibition at the American History Museum uses more than 100 objects to tell American stories from 1620 to 2008

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Ask Smithsonian: What Is Lightning? How Do Bees Make Honey? How Do Cats Purr?

Smithsonian experts answer your burning questions

This Friday, feet will fly in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month.

Events March 30-April 1: Tap Festival, Mysteries of Mail, Japanese Paper Dioramas

The weekend is packed with dance events, family fun and some crafty ideas for the whole family

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