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Smithsonian Snapshot

A peek into our collections, one object at a time

Detail, “Moon at Shinagawa”

Kitagawa Utamaro

portrait of Benito Juarez

Cinco de Mayo

Bright yellow frog against white background

Panamanian Golden Frog

Close-up of orchid Galearis Spectabilis

Orchids and Fungus: A Conservation Connection

Close-up of black-footed ferret

Black-footed ferret

Closeup of Mary Hagedorn in scuba gear superimposed on photo of coral reef

Preserving Coral Reefs

tinted portrait of Japanese women in kimonos among cherry blossoms

Freer Gallery of Art

Cherry blossoms

More than a century ago, cherry trees made beautiful backdrops for photos—just as they do today.

Painted copper mask

La Malinche

photo of early female aviator

Smithsonian Institution Archives

Janet Harmon Bragg: Aviator

Janet Harmon Bragg is one of the first female black aviators and the first to hold a commercial pilot’s license.

elaborate Victorian card

Sending the Very Best for Valentine’s Day

B&W photo of Saralegui interviewing guest in front of an audience

National Portrait Gallery

Meet the Cuban Oprah: Cristina Saralegui

To millions of people, she’s known on a first-name basis: Cristina.

Poster for film The Endless Summer

Endless Summer

Animation of exercising girl scout

How Are Those New Year’s Resolutions Going?

Photo of mail carrier with baby in a mailbag

Special Delivery

Japanese woodprint of puppies

Snow puppies

Perhaps puppies cuddling in the snow makes winter’s bite not so unpleasant?

Guitar with airbrushed portrait of Carlos Vives

Vallenato Makes History at the Smithsonian

animation of waving skeleton

Hi, Halloween!

animated gif of skeletons dancing on book page

Tequila!

Chuck Berry's red Cadillac on display

Rock ’n’ Roll Ride

dogs grouped into letters

Sit! Stay! Spell!

brightly colored woven sculpture of bird

A Finery-Feathered Friend

Mark Spitz in Speedo wearing gold medals

Let the Games Begin

Neon sculpture of the United States composed of televisions

See the U.S.A. on Paik’s “Electronic Superhighway”

balloon over crowd

Up, Up and Away

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