Jun
29

June 29, 1959

Smokey Bear, a four-month-old orphaned black bear cub rescued from a forest fire in Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico, arrives at the National Zoological Park. The National Park Service erects an exhibit next to Smokey’s enclosure, and the bear becomes a famous symbol of fire prevention. Smokey died in 1976 and was replaced by Smokey Bear II.

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Posted: 29 June 2010
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.