Dec
13

December 13, 1847

The Board of Regents adopts Secretary Joseph Henry’s “Programme of Organization of the Smithsonian Institution.” Henry’s plan contains 14 guiding considerations, including the suggestion that the Smithsonian only undertake programs that cannot be adequately carried out by existing United States institutions. A key feature of the plan is the publication of Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge and periodical reports on scientific progress.

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Posted: 13 December 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.