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¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States

A new exhibition from the National Museum of the American Latino

We Belong Here

Marking the 50th anniversary of Title IX

American Democracy

A Great Leap of Faith

Really BIG Money

See our new money gallery for kids

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Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

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

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Empowering people to create a just and compassionate future by exploring, preserving, and sharing the complexity of our past.

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

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

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“We Belong Here” Marks 50th Anniversary of Title IX June 23

A new display spotlights three athletes’ stories in the context of the struggle for equal opportunity in sports.

Cast From First Tommy John Surgery Donated to Smithsonian

1969 Ford LTD Lowrider, “Dave’s Dream,” Goes on Display at National Museum of American History

Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History To Remove Ruby Slippers From View in June

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From Our Blog

A pocket sundial. The sundial is covered with both functional and decorative engravings as well as gold accents, including a golden gnomon with a support in the shape of a bird. Its compass is a six pointed star.

How did a French pocket sundial end up buried in a field in Indiana?

While trying to find out more about a small portable sundial in the museum's collection, curator Peggy Kidwell learned that the sundial had reportedly been found in 1860, by a doctor plowing a field in Indiana—an unusual story, even for an object in the Smithsonian’s collections.

How a Jewish female textile artist folded her identities into a challah cover

Food plays a critical role in many Jewish religious festivities, such as challah bread at weekly Shabbat services or holidays. Whether baked into two long braids or a round domed crown, this bread, doused in shiny egg wash, is also covered with fabric for religious and functional purposes.

Graduation cap, gown, rainbow-colored stole, and costume wings in the pattern of Monarch butterfly wings. The top of the cap is decorated with flowers and has a message, "I am one of those people Mexico sent."

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¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States

We Belong Here

American Democracy

Really BIG Money