December 31, 1887. The Department of Living Animals opens to allow taxidermists to study live animals so their stuffed ones seem more, er, lifelike. The irony goes unremarked. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 31, 1887

December 30, 1919. The Smithsonian publishes Robert Goddard’s “A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes.” a fundamental work in theoretical rocketry. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 30, 1919

December 29, 1904. President Theodore Roosevelt gives a sparrowhawk to the National Zoo. We have heard that he also gave the Zoo a squirrel, a puppy and a piece of string, but that’s probably apocryphal. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 29, 1904

December 28, 1985. The Cooper Hewitt receives 283 pieces of antique cutlery, We forget—does the sardine fork go next to the pickle server? Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 28, 1985

December 27, 1904. Industrialist Charles Lang Freer arranges to donate his vast collection Asian art to the nation, He also promises to construct a building to house it, since the nation’s attic is filling up fast. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 27, 1904

December 26, 1972. The first volume of first Smithsonian Secretary Joseph Henry’s papers is published. The 11th and last volume will not be published for another 35 years. And you thought clearing out your desk was a task. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 26, 1972

December 25, 1895. A complete set of Smithsonian publications is deposited in the library of Pembroke College, Oxford. Not by Santa, we assume. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 25, 1895

December 24, 1949. The Smithsonian parties like it’s 1949. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 24, 1949

December 23, 1981. Congress orders the first appropriation of funds for the construction of the Quad, a massive underground museum complex behind the Smithsonian Castle. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 23, 1981

December 22, 1976. The first comprehensive exhibition of American artist John White Alexander opens at the National Collection of Fine Arts. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: December 22, 1976