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.
Home
Explore all 46,354 records that document the Smithsonian's people, events, buildings, exhibits, and research:
This searches the Archives’ collection summaries, digitized media, and historic annotations.
Or scroll down to explore
Capturing, preserving, and sharing the history of the Smithsonian Institution
Explore the history of the Smithsonian Institution:
October 17, 1957
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is able to record the first United States photograph of the Soviet satellite Sputnik, using a Baker Nunn camera. By mid-1958, the Observatory had its Satellite Tracking Program fully operational.
