Exhibitions

Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers

October 7, 2004 – January 9, 2005

National Museum of American History
1300 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC

2nd Floor, West Wing

See on Map Floor Plan

From Althea Gibson's struggle to break the color barrier and excel as a tennis champion, through the "Battle of the Sexes" between tennis players Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, to the humanitarian efforts of baseball star Roberto Clemente, sports illustrate many facets of American life. This exhibition celebrates athletes' accomplishments and reveals how they have helped shatter many cultural, political, and even physical barriers.

Highlights include:

  • Michael Jordan's basketball jersey
  • Billie Jean King's "Battle of the Sexes" tennis dress
  • Babe Ruth's baseball
  • Sonja Henie's ice skates
  • a 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team jersey
  • Hank Aaron's baseball uniform
  • Muhammad Ali's fight robe
  • Brian Boitano's ice skates
  • Mia Hamm's Olympic soccer jersey
  • Bonnie Blair's speed skating skins
  • Getrude Ederle's goggles, worn when she swam the English Channel

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