Aug
11

Today in Smithsonian History: August 11, 1996

Fireworks over Castle, for the 150th Smithsonian Institution Birthday Celebration. (Photo by Eric Long)

Fireworks over Castle, for the 150th Smithsonian Institution Birthday Celebration. (Photo by Eric Long)
From 35mm ektachrome.

August 11, 1996 The Smithsonian Institution celebrates it 150th Anniversary with a Birthday Party on the Mall on August 10-11, 1996. The festivities include 23 pavilions which stretched from 3rd Street to 14th Street and represented all the museums and several research facilities and offices; the Smithsonian 150th commemorative coin is unveiled; the new Castle tower bell is dedicated and rung for the first time; the evening of the 10th there is a concert and fireworks over the Castle and the Washington Monument.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

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Posted: 11 August 2019
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