Smithsonian’s NMAAHC

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Journey through the lens of the African American experience. #APeoplesJourney, #ANationsStory Legal: https://t.co/3sIRJi7PRE • @NMAAHCdirector

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Smithsonian’s NMAAHC

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#OnThisDay in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to read Order No. 3, which affirmed the end of slavery in the states of the former Confederacy. This momentous occasion has been celebrated as #Juneteenth — a combination of “June” &amp; “19th” — for over 150 years.

#OnThisDay in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to read Order No. 3, which affirmed the end of slavery in the states of the former Confederacy. This momentous occasion has been celebrated as #Juneteenth — a combination of “June” &amp; “19th” — for over 150 years.

#OnThisDay in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to read Order No. 3, which affirmed the end of slavery in the states of the former Confederacy. This momentous occasion has been celebrated as #Juneteenth — a combination of “June” &amp; “19th” — for over 150 years.

On the night of December 31, 1862, enslaved and free African Americans gathered, many in secret, to ring in the new year and await news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. Learn more about Watch Night, or Freedom's Eve: #APeoplesJourney

#DYK we preserve home movies? Our media conservators can work with you to digitize your audiovisual media in various formats. Digitization services are free and by appointment. Schedule an in-person appointment by emailing [email protected]

On #ChristmasEve in 1854, Harriet Tubman returned to Maryland’s Eastern Shore to emancipate her brothers Ben, Henry, and Robert from slavery. Learn more about Tubman and view her shawl &amp; related objects in our Searchable Museum: #APeoplesJourney

DYK? In the years before the Civil War, January 1 was known as “Hiring Day,” or “Heartbreak Day” where many enslaved African Americans found out if their enslavers would contract their labor out in the new year. #OTD

#OTD in 1924, James Baldwin was born in Harlem, NY. He'd later become one of America's greatest literary voices, interrogating themes of racial and sexual oppression in America. Baldwin is regarded as one of the foremost writers and public intellectuals of the 20th century.

African American soldiers have served in every war in the US. In choosing to join the military, African Americans sought to have their service understood by the nation as a demand for liberty and citizenship. We honor your sacrifice. #VeteransDay #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory

Greens flavored with ham hocks is a survival story. Enslaved African Americans stretched their allotments of food by growing greens and using scraps of meat to add flavor and nutrients. This stockpot used to cook collard greens at DC’s Florida Avenue Grill.

#OnThisDay in 1929, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia. By 1963, King had become the most recognized civil rights leader in the country. #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of this nation and the expansion of liberty through migration. Learn more:

To mothers and mother figures: thank you for everything, today and every day. Happy Mother’s Day! 💐

To fathers and father figures: thank you for everything, today and every day. Happy Father’s Day! 👔

#OnThisDay in 1865, the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery, was officially adopted into the U.S. Constitution—246 years after enslaved Africans landed in Jamestown, Virginia. Learn more on our Searchable Museum: #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory

#OnThisDay, the 40th anniversary of the King national holiday, we commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and remember his beliefs in the “great chain of humanity,” connecting neighborhoods and communities across the globe:

#OnThisDay, we acknowledge the National Day of Rest for Black Women in honor of Harriet Tubman, whose legacy of bravery and activism has influenced Black women throughout history.

#MemorialDay, also known as Decoration Day, is an annual holiday where our nation pauses to honor the service and sacrifice of military heroes who gave their lives for our freedoms. #ANationsStory #APeoplesJourney

On the night of December 31, 1862, enslaved and free African Americans gathered, many in secret, to ring in the New Year and await news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. Learn more: #APeoplesJourney

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“I, Too” by Langston Hughes, 1926 📸 “The American Flag: Photographs from the National Museum of African American History and Culture”

#OnThisDay in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to read Order No. 3, which affirmed the end of slavery in the states of the former Confederacy. This momentous occasion became known as #Juneteenth, a combination of “June” &amp; “19th." More:

Yesterday, @Smithsonian announced the retirement of Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of our museum &amp; 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian. His commitment helped create a national museum documenting a people’s journey &amp; a nation’s story through the African American lens.

On the night of December 31, 1862, enslaved and free African Americans gathered, many in secret, to ring in the new year and await news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. Learn more about Watch Night, or Freedom's Eve: #APeoplesJourney

🎉 SAVE THE DATE 🎉 for a spectacular celebration! Join us for a weekend of activities and surprises as we commemorate 10 incredible years since opening our museum in September. Sign up to stay in the loop: #NMAAHC10 🎤 MC Lyte

Fannie Lou Hamer was born #OnThisDay in 1917. Hamer co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which challenged the local Democratic Party’s efforts to block Black voters through violence, literacy tests, and intimidation. #APeoplesJourney

Our resistance is in our activism. Join us to explore the power of Black resistance: from activism, education, faith, press and #BlackJoy, with this year’s official ASALH theme: #BlackHistoryMonth #APeoplesJourney

As membership month comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to thank all of our supporters and share this spotlight of Donnette Cooper, the first individual donor to our museum. View the full interview: Welcome Home: Our Legacy Continues. Sept. 24, 2026

#OTD in 2016, our museum opened its doors to the public. Today, we’re celebrating 9 years as the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting, and showcasing the African American story.

"There Are Black People in the Future." - Alisha B. Wormsley "Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures" is open now. #NMAAHCFutures

🎉 Our museum welcomed its 10 millionth in-person visitor today. This milestone takes place almost one week after our 7th anniversary of our grand opening on Sept. 24, 2016. Learn more: #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory

Thank you DC, for showing up! Yesterday was a powerful reminder that DC’s legacy is not just something we honor from the past; it’s something we continue to build together, right here and right now. Looking forward to continuing the connection throughout the year. #NMAAHC10

Richard Smallwood (1948-2025) was a legendary singer, composer, pianist, lecturer, and director whose musical mastery left an indelible mark on gospel music. One of D.C.'s most renowned artists, Smallwood, created moving arrangements that became staples of praise &amp; worship.

In 2016, at age 89, Opal Lee—the "Grandmother of Juneteenth"—made a symbolic walk from Fort Worth to Washington, DC, to advocate for federal recognition of #Juneteenth. Later this year, she will celebrate her 100th birthday. More about her life and legacy:

Big news! Since August 2016, ✨500,000✨ pages of the Freedmen's Bureau records have been successfully transcribed on the Smithsonian Transcription Center, thanks to the incredible efforts of our 50,000 #volunpeers. Explore the portal:

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Summer Solstice: At the Vanguard — A '90s College Reunion. We loved seeing your HBCU gear, throwback looks, and the dance floor packed "The best Juneteenth Party in D.C." 👀 #NMAAHC10

We are opening “At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs” today. This traveling exhibition draws from 5 partner institutions, highlighting their deep collections and roles in cultivating future artists, museum professionals, and scholars.

On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with the news that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free by executive decree. This day became known as #Juneteenth by the newly freed people in Texas.

#OnThisDay in 1865, the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery, was officially adopted into the U.S. Constitution—246 years after enslaved Africans landed in Jamestown, Virginia. Learn more on our Searchable Museum: #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory

Fashion doesn’t begin on the runway; it begins with vision. In 1979, Lois K. Alexander Lane founded the Black Fashion Museum to protect Black fashion history. Today, her 3,000-object collection is preserved here. Explore:

#OnThisDay in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to read Order No. 3, which affirmed the end of slavery in the states of the former Confederacy. This momentous occasion has been celebrated as #Juneteenth — a combination of “June” & “19th” — for over 150 years.

#OnThisDay in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to read Order No. 3, which affirmed the end of slavery in the states of the former Confederacy. This momentous occasion has been celebrated as #Juneteenth — a combination of “June” & “19th” — for over 150 years.

#OnThisDay in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to read Order No. 3, which affirmed the end of slavery in the states of the former Confederacy. This momentous occasion has been celebrated as #Juneteenth — a combination of “June” & “19th” — for over 150 years.

On #ChristmasEve in 1854, Harriet Tubman returned to Maryland’s Eastern Shore to emancipate her brothers Ben, Henry, and Robert from slavery. Learn more about Tubman and view her shawl & related objects in our Searchable Museum: #APeoplesJourney

#OnThisDay in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to read Order No. 3, which affirmed the end of slavery in the states of the former Confederacy. This momentous occasion became known as #Juneteenth, a combination of “June” & “19th." More:

Yesterday, @Smithsonian announced the retirement of Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of our museum & 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian. His commitment helped create a national museum documenting a people’s journey & a nation’s story through the African American lens.

Richard Smallwood (1948-2025) was a legendary singer, composer, pianist, lecturer, and director whose musical mastery left an indelible mark on gospel music. One of D.C.'s most renowned artists, Smallwood, created moving arrangements that became staples of praise & worship.