Home | National Museum of American History

Many Voices, One Nation

How did we become US?

Jazz Appreciation Month

Enjoy free jazz in April

The Star-Spangled Banner

The Flag that Inspired the
National Anthem

Draper Spark!Lab

Where museum visitors become inventors

Smithsonian’s History Explorer

Classroom resources for teachers

Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

An assortment of museum objects in a drawer

Collections

Screenshot of website for exhibition, "Thomas Jefferson's Bible"

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At the Museum

Online Resources

Young visitors looking at museum objects

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A child experimenting with a historic laundry device

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This Day In History

April 20, 1923

Latin jazz leader and percussionist Tito Puente is born in New York City. Seen here are a set of his signature timbales.

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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

Jazz Appreciation Month

Come JAM with the museum with jazz performances throughout the month of April, plus a film series. Follow the link for a calendar of events.

Films in the Warner Bros. Theater

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

Smithsonian’s New Display Explores Historic Tobacco Advertising

The museum will look at the power of advertising and marketing through a new display, “More Doctors Smoke Camels: A Close Reading of Historical Advertising.”

Blurring the Lines Between Science and Art: ACCelerate Festival Explores Themes of Culture and Society, Environment, Health and Body

Smithsonian Examines Health and Medicine Through Philanthropy Lens

See full events calendar
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From Our Blog

Lobby cards for the film "Saludos Amigos"

Donald Duck: An American Diplomat?

In his 1933 inaugural speech, President Franklin D. Roosevelt promoted the importance of the Good Neighbor Policy. When Roosevelt delivered his speech, few would have guessed that, just a few years later, Donald Duck would become an "ambassador at large" to facilitate U.S. policy.

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Many Voices, One Nation

Jazz Appreciation Month

The Star-Spangled Banner

Draper Spark!Lab