Every Collection has a Story. The 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.
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The Archives will be closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, 2020.
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Capturing, preserving, and sharing the history of the Smithsonian Institution
Explore the history of the Smithsonian Institution:
January 19, 1836
Former President John Quincy Adams, now in the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts, issues a report on the James Smithson bequest, urging that the United States accept it.
