Apr
29

April 29, 1846

April 29, 1846 The United States House of Representatives, by a vote of 85 to 76, an Act to Establish the Smithsonian Institution, signed into law by President James K. Polk on August 10, 1846. The Act created the Institution specified in James Smithson’s bequest. The final form of the bill, H. 5, was a substitution by William Jervis Hough of New York, amended.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

Related posts:

View of Castle towers from the eastMr. Smithson’s family goes to Washington Today in Smithsonian History: August 10, 1846 low perspective view of museum exterior and sculpture at twilightJeff Bezos Gifts Historic $200 Million to the Smithsonian A series of fortunate events

Posted: 29 April 2012
About the Author:

The Torch relies on contributions from the entire Smithsonian community.