The world’s largest museum complex was founded on this day in history, Aug. 10, 1846.
According to History.com,
The Smithsonian Institution was first established by President James K. Polk who, after the death English scientist James Smithson signed into law the Smithsonian Institution Act.
Smithson, who died in 1829, wrote in his will to leave the entirety of his estate to “the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.”
The request would be honored if Smithson’s only nephew were to die without children — which he did six years later, History.com reported.
Smithson had a zinc carbonate named after him, Smithsonite. This was due to his 1802 findings that zinc carbonates are true carbonates minerals.
His donation to America attracted great public interest, as Smithson never visited America, says History.com.
After considering the establishment of a national university, a public library or an astronomical observatory, Congress settled on using Smithson’s bequest to create a museum, library and research program in history, the arts and the sciences.
The Smithsonian Institution today is made up of 21 museums, primarily based in Washington, D.C.
It also includes the National Zoo and multiple research centers throughout the U.S.
Smithsonian galleries and museums currently contain Approximately Approximately Approximately Approximately Approximately Approximately Approximately Approximately Approximately HTML2_ HTML2_Approximately HTML3_ HTML3_Approximately HTML2_ HTML3_Approximately Approximately HTML3_Approximately HTML3_Approximately HTML3_Approximately HTML3_Approximately Approximately Approximately Approximately HTML1? 2 million objects and specimens, 2. 2 million library volumes and 148,200 cubic feet of archives, according to the Smithsonian website.
These sites are found in notable Smithsonian establishments including the Air and Space Museum, the Natural History Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History houses the original Star-Spangled Banner. Air and Space displays the Wright Brothers’ First in Flight plane.
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