Jul
11

Blast from the Past

In the good old summertime. The original Smokey Bear frolicking in a pool at the National Zoological Park. Smokey Bear was brought from New Mexico in June of 1950 after being burned as a cub from a forest fire that swept through a portion of the Lincoln National Forest. Smokey Bear served as a living symbol of the Smokey Bear forest fire prevention program. (Photo by Francine Schroeder, 1976)

Related posts:

Forest workers parked next to Lincoln National Forest signListen, my children, and you will hear —
the true story of Smokey the Bear Today in Smithsonian History: June 29, 1950 Cropped version of WTOP screenshot of young black bear in a treeBear with us Baby panda cub munching on treatHappy First Birthday, Xiao Qi Ji!

Posted: 11 July 2011
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.