Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Celebrates Star Wars(TM) 40th Anniversary

May 25 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the film, Star Wars: A New Hope, the first in the Star Wars franchise. The National Air and Space Museum’s “The Force at 40” event will celebrate this milestone with the rare opportunity to see the film in the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, along with other activities, at the museum in Washington, D.C., on the evening of Thursday, May 25. Free tickets are required for the two screenings, but not for entry to the museum or for the evening’s other activities.

Attendees to “The Force at 40” will have photo opportunities with costumed characters, hear talks by museum and aerospace experts and enjoy music by a brass band celebrating the classic score. Doors will remain open to the event until 8 p.m.

Screenings of the film are at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit https://airandspace.si.edu/events/force-40.

The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport. Both facilities are open daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free, but there is a $15 fee for parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center. Smithsonian Theaters at the National Air and Space Museum include the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater at the museum in Washington, D.C. and the Airbus IMAX Theater at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

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