Jun
03

June 3, 1966

June 3, 1966 A new Smithsonian seal is approved, in the form of the sun with alternating straight and wavy rays representing heat and light—“The Sun in His Splendor.” It bears the inscription: “Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.” The seal was designed at the request of Secretary S. Dillon Ripley to coincide with the bicentennial of James Smithson’s birth.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

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Posted: 3 June 2012
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2 Responses to June 3, 1966
      • Alex di Giovanni
        June 5, 2012 at 9:57 am

      • The Archives note says only that it was designed at Secretary Ripley’s request. Maybe someone with a longer Institutional memory has an idea?