October 21, 1993. A new exhibition of artist Willem de Kooning’s work from 1939 to 1985 opens at the Hirshhorn. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 21, 1993

October 20, 1983. An exhibition devoted to the work of pioneering photographer Robert Cornelius opens at the Portrait Gallery. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 20, 1983

October 19, 1923. A local radio station begins broadcasting a series of talks about the Smithsonian with the curator of echinoderms as host. It was easier to be entertaining in 1923. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 19, 1923

October 18, 1977. The Smithsonian has a date with the 75-carat Hooker Emerald. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 18, 1977

October 17, 1957. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory takes the first U.S. picture of Sputnik. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 17, 1957

October 15, 1980. For the first time ever, a living coral reef is part of an exhibition at Natural History. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 15, 1980

October 14, 1983. The exhibition “Pain and its Relief” opens at the American History Museum. We’re not sure whether this particular device is meant to relieve pain or inflict it, but we have our suspicions. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 14, 1983

October 13, 1993. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute receives a major grant to study plant ecology. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 13, 1993

October 12, 1985. Shark! opens wide at the Natural History Museum. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 12, 1985