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| The National Museum of African Art. |
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nDidnyou know that the biggest museum complex in the U.S. (and, actually,nthe world!) – the museum complex that offers more than 137 million items innits collections, housed in gorgeous buildings, at no admission chargen– was begun with a bequest from someone that had never even steppednfoot on U.S. soil?
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| I particularly love the architecture of National Museum of the American Indian. |
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nBritishnscientist James Smithson died in Italy in 1829. He left his fortunento his only nephew, but his will stated that, if his nephew diednwithout any heirs, he wanted his money to go to the United States ofnAmerica “to found at Washington…an Establishment for the increasenand diffusion of knowledge.”
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nAnd,nindeed, that nephew did die without heirs, in 1835, and PresidentnAndrew Jackson sent an agent to England to bring back thenfortune—about half a million dollars. Unfortunately, Congress putnthe money in state bonds that defaulted. Former president John QuincynAdams talked long and hard but finally convinced Congress to replacenthe money and create an institute of science and learning, asnSmithson requested.
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nOnnthis date in 1846, the act creating the Smithsonian Institution wasnsigned into law by President James Polk.
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Thenbest thing to do today is to actually go to Washington, D.C., andntour a museum or two. But most of us can’t do that. Next best thing: n
Thenbest thing to do today is to actually go to Washington, D.C., andntour a museum or two. But most of us can’t do that. Next best thing: nn
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- Takena virtual tour of the National Museum of Natural History.
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- Browsenthrough David Coleman’s photos of the National Air and Space Museum.
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- Takena peek at the exhibitions from the National Museum of American History.
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- Andnfinally, check out the official Smithsonian website.
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nAlsonon this date:
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Missouri Admission Day
Missouri Admission Day n
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n“Mr. Summer Time’s” birthday
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