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2019-20 season begins October 26

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This Day In History

September 20, 1988
After playing in a record 2,632 consecutive games, Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles sits out a game against the Yankees.
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Our Mission

We help people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future.

Exhibitions

Exhibitions on a range of topics offer firsthand experiences with treasures of American history.

Collections

We collect artifacts of all kinds—from gowns to locomotives—to preserve an enduring record of our past for the American people.

News and Events

Cooking Up History: The Mexican Food Revolution

Join us at the demonstration kitchen as we explore the influence of Mexican and Mexican American food entrepreneurs with guest chef Carlos Salgado. September 20, 1 p.m.

Historic Theater Programs

Enjoy our latest theater program "Shout!" and be immersed in the sounds of the Carolina and Georgia Lowcountry. In other programs, join a sit-in at the Woolworth lunch counter, and meet a 1917 suffragist or 1895 wheelwoman. Follow the link for scheduled showtimes.

Films in the Warner Bros. Theater

Enjoy a variety of daily short films and special features. Check the Theater page for showtimes.

Smithsonian Presents Great Americans Medal to Honoree Paul Simon

The museum will present its Great Americans medal to composer, musician and philanthropist Paul Simon Sept. 18.

Merck Grant to Support Smithsonian Future Exhibition on History of American Medicine

“Elephants and Us: Considering Extinction” Opens at the Smithsonian

See full events calendar
See more news items

From Our Blog

Pink marble fragment

The Washington Monument: A view from the museum

During a recent meeting, I began wondering why the nation decided to build a tall marble obelisk as an homage to our first president. As it turns out, it is quite a story!
Bouquets in front of a gas station.

American dream turned nightmare

One of the first deadly hate crimes in the United States following the September 11 attacks was the murder of Balbir Singh Sodhi. 

Fur the war effort

Tommy Tucker, a squirrel, had over 100 outfits and matching hats. He used his unique fashion sense to support philanthropic causes and the war effort.

A place at the park: LGBTQ+ inclusion and skateboarding

Skateboarding is known for its laid back vibe of acceptance and inclusion but this was not always the case for LGBTQ+ skaters. There were violent homophobic incidents in the early 1980s and 1990s. Recently, skate has made great strides in its acceptance of LGBTQ+ skaters.
Read more stories from our blog

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Constitution Avenue, NW
Between 12th and 14th Streets
Washington, D.C.

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