Grand Atlas Tours

03/14/2022

On this day in 1879, Albert Einstein was born! One of the memorials that guests love in DC is the Einstein Memorial, located along Constitution Avenue on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences. Check it out on a Grand Atlas tour!

03/04/2022

Meet 120 faces who may inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians. brings the largest collection of statues of women ever assembled together to highlight STEM innovators leading a variety of fields, all in 3D-printed bright orange. Whether they’re protecting wildlife, discovering galaxies, choreographing robots, or trying to cure cancer, these women make visible the work and achievements of .

Celebrate with us and our Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building, Smithsonian Gardens, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution with programs and activities, March 5 through 27. Visit si.edu/womensfutures for statue locations and to learn more.

02/05/2022

in , two of our nation's most important figures achieved their place in the U.S. government. It was in 1789 that George Washington was unanimously elected as our nation's 1st president. 12 years later, John Marshall was sworn in as Chief Justice of the . Their time leading their respective branches set precedents that still reverberate to this day.

Upon ratification of the Constitution, there was never a doubt as to whom the new republic would elect as . Washington was not a brilliant tactician or political thinker. But his character exceeded all others in the crucible for —exemplified no more so than his relinquish of power after it was achieved. Now, as president, he was tasked with legitimizing a new government, made of 13 disparate states that only joined forces in time of desperate need.

The growing divide between Federalists and Republicans threatened the American experiment in its infancy. In fact, within Washington's own cabinet was the leader of the Federalists, Treasury Sec. Alexander ; and leader of the Republicans, Sec. of State Thomas Jefferson. It was the respect that each faction had for Washington that helped him maintain national unity that many—including the president—thought might dissolve within 20 years. Many also assumed that he'd remain president until his death. But after two terms, Washington relinquished power one last and significant time. So revered was his example, no president sought a 3rd term for nearly 1 ½ centuries.

While Washington strengthened the executive by his character, Marshall strengthened the judiciary through his rulings. In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Court established the supremacy of the federal government when in conflict with the states. While Marbury v. Madison marked ' 1st use of judicial review. Through the latter, Marshall set equilibrium in our system of checks and balances that's enabled our to prosper throughout .

01/13/2022

Check out this great info from the Capitol Historical Society!

in , 1808, American public official Salmon Chase was born. In his nearly unprecedented career, Chase served in each branch of government as Chief Justice of the , as a U.S. Senator in , Governor of , and Treasury Secretary under Abraham during the .

Chase was a vehement abolitionist who as a young attorney defended runaway slaves—and those who helped them—in court. He retained this ethos in his political career as leader of the Liberty Party, which supported abolition; and when he helped establish the Free Soil Party, which opposed slavery's expansion.

Buoyed by his growing prominence, Chase ran to be the nominee for president in 1860. At the time, he was one of the most highly revered in the nation and had arguably done more for the abolitionist cause than any in his party. Nevertheless, it was the relatively unheralded Lincoln who won the nomination as a third ballot compromise at the GOP convention. According to contemporary newspapers, Chase was “much chagrined and much dissatisfied with the nomination of so obscure a man.”

Lincoln knew, however, the importance of assembling a cabinet talented enough to bolster the nation in the lead up to the Civil War. “It seems to me not only highly proper, but necessary, that Gov. Chase shall take [the Treasury],” Lincoln believed. “His ability, firmness, and purity of character, produce the propriety.”

He was right. As Treasury Secretary, Chase helped secure a $50 million loan and worked diligently with Congress to institute necessary taxes and establish a national bank. The latter enabled the to issue a single currency and utilize bonds that ultimately helped it fund the army, win the war, and save the Union.

Photo: Chase and Lincoln in a cropped version of the “First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln” located in the Capitol (property of the U.S. )

01/05/2022

Looking to visit the Library of Congress? Note that tickets ($1 each) are required and that the building is open to visitors Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. You can secure tickets up to one month in advance at this link!

[Great Hall. View from the second floor west corridor. Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C.] Daily Monday Through Saturday Take a free one-hour walking tour of the historic Thomas Jefferson building to learn about its symbolic art and architecture. Volunteer docents tell t...

12/16/2021

On this date in 1773, a significant event in the American Revolution occurred: the Boston Tea Party! Members of the Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped hundreds of crates of tea into Boston harbor as a protest against the Tea Act.

Did you know the American Antiquarian Society, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, holds in its collection a vial of actual tea-infused harbor water from 1773?

09/14/2021

Check out this great post from the White House Historical Association—it might just be something you didn't know!

08/23/2021

The Smithsonian is always doing interesting things!

The Ocean Sole project creates art from ocean debris.

07/08/2021

Great news—the National Gallery of Art is the first major museum on the National Mall to no longer require timed tickets for entry. Just walk in after this week!

🎟🎟🎟

⬆ Next week, you won’t need one of these to enter our East or West Buildings anymore…

That’s right ✨ Starting July 12, passes will not be required to visit and our daily hours will return to 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“This announcement represents another step toward fully realizing our mission of welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity,” said Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art.

Learn more ➡️ go.usa.gov/x667w

📷 by

06/24/2021

Today we offer a trivia question: How many people have been president?




You may be thinking 46. Indeed, Joe Biden is the 46th president of the United States—but the answer is actually 45—Grover Cleveland served non-consecutive terms. Thus, he counts as both the 22nd and 24th presidents but was, by all contemporary accounts, one person!