National Museum of American History

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance, June 19 & 20!

Dance into summer with a solstice celebration at the National Museum of American History! 🎆

Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance, June 19 & 20. The weekend will be jam-packed with family fun, including dance parties, local DJs and bands, dance workshops, and more.

For a full list of programming, visit: https://s.si.edu/4uxwRgX

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day!

Among the museum's vast collection of flags, perhaps the most recognizable is the Star-Spangled Banner.

It flew over Fort McHenry the morning after the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that would later become the national anthem of the United States.

So how does the museum care for such a precious piece of U.S. history? It’s a monumental task: https://s.si.edu/4b1YAg6

06/11/2026

Dance into summer with a solstice celebration at the National Museum of American History! 🎆

Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States at Indepen’Dance, June 19 & 20. The weekend will be jam-packed with family fun, including dance parties, local DJs and bands, dance workshops, and more.

For a full list of programming, visit: https://s.si.edu/4uxwRgX

06/08/2026

06/06/2026

Robert Capa (1913 - 1954) documented World War II from the bombing of London to the fronts in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. He made this photograph of American troops landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Capa was one of two magazine war correspondents allowed to join the U.S. troops landing on the shores of Normandy, France, for the D-Day operations, launching the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Western Europe. Sailing with the 2,000 men transported on USS Chase, Capa joined the men of Company E on a barge headed for the section of the beach designated "Easy Red."

Capa's D-Day film was sent directly to the offices of "LIFE" in London for processing. Only eleven photographs survived.

06/05/2026

Does this look like your first gaming console? 🎮

The Nintendo Entertainment System launched in the United States in 1985 and quickly dominated the video game market.

The system’s commercial success surprised many observers because a previous generation of home video game consoles had recently collapsed in what is remembered as the "video game crash of 1983." After an initial boom, the market became oversaturated with consoles and games. Among its most famous games was “Super Mario Bros.,” which popularized the “platformer” genre and remains one of the best-selling games of all time. 🍄

Another popular NES game, "Contra," helped to popularize this legendary combo of buttons: ⬆️⬆️⬇️⬇️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️🅱️🅰️

The NES was an adaptation of the Family Computer, which Nintendo released in Japan in 1983. When developing the American version, Nintendo sought to avoid associations with earlier systems. They branded the NES as an "entertainment system," with a boxy gray design and futuristic aesthetic that would sit inconspicuously alongside stereos and VCRs.

The 1980s shift of video games from public spaces to people’s living rooms changed the social dynamics of gaming, enabling unlimited play, alone or with family and friends.

The NES is now on display in our newest exhibition, “In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness,” which celebrates 250 years of American history.

06/01/2026

Our celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary is in full swing this month, and you’re invited to join us! With free daily activities, concerts, and our newest exhibition, “In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness,” there’s something for everyone! 🌟

Looking for more information? Visit our Events page:
➡️ https://americanhistory.si.edu/events

Ongoing support of the Museum’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary is made possible by the A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc., Americana Corner, Julie and Greg Flynn, Enrique and Alejandra Segura, Tom and Karen Rutledge, and the Honorable Barbara H. Franklin, with additional support from many other generous donors. This project received funding from Smithsonian "Our Shared Future: 250."