Smithsonian Homepage | Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History

Return to When Dinosaurs Ruled

The National Fossil Hall tells the story of 3.7 billion years of life on Earth.
Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

Helping Wildlife and Livestock Coexist in Kenya

Conservation Biology study has implications for translating science into action to conserve wildlife and ecosystems in Laikipia and beyond.
February 20–23, 2020

Mother Tongue Film Festival

A celebration of cultural and linguistic diversity showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world.
National Portrait Gallery

The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today

Presenting work by nearly 50 finalists of the Portrait Gallery's latest Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.
Programs as diverse as our planet

Smithsonian Global: 7 continents. 140 + countries

Discover how our people and programs are making a difference across the world.

Welcome

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. We are a community of learning and the opener of doors. Join us on a voyage of discovery in person or learn and explore online.

Visit

Learn about visiting our world-class museums and zoo.

Select a topic to discover featured collections and stories, OR search millions of digital records.

Smithsonian Snapshot

Keys to the Future

Octavia Butler was a master storyteller and considered the godmother of Afrofuturism.

Smithsonian Spotlight

Martin Luther King Jr.

The Smithsonian celebrates an American civil rights icon with a look through the collections.

National Portrait Gallery

Civil Rights Icon Rosa Parks

On February 22, 1956, Parks was taken into custody on charges of violating an Alabama law prohibiting boycotts. This photo appeared on the front page of the New York Times.