Every Collection has a StoryThe Archives holds records that document the Smithsonian’s people, events, buildings, and research. The history of the Smithsonian is a vital part of the history of American experience, scientific exploration, and international cultural understanding.
Get updates on our amazing collections!
Mei Xiang, the National Zoo's female Giant Panda, is born at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wolong, Sichuan Province. She will travel to the United States to take up residence at the National Zoo in 2000.More
The Smithsonian’s Second Secretary Spencer Fullerton Baird dedicated his career to creating a great national museum at the Smithsonian, the U.S. National Museum that opened in 1881. Learn about Baird and the fulfillment of his dreams. More
