Description: Although America declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776, Washington, DC, did not become the nation’s capital until July 1790. Today Washington is home to many historic national monuments and landmarks. The postcards in this gallery provide scenic views of a selection of these monuments and landmarks, including several of the Smithsonian’s museums.
Description: The National Zoological Park was conceived by William Temple Hornaday and established by an act of Congress in 1889. The Smithsonian’s collection of living animals was originally intended to aid taxidermists’ studies, but Smithsonian Secretaries Spencer F. Baird and Samuel P. Langley helped expand the small menagerie’s purpose. Today it houses over 2,000 animals of around 400