The DC Traveler

The National Museum of American History, is reopening after a two year, $85 million renovation project.
 
The museum upgraded many of the environmental and physical facilities (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, lighting, fire and security systems, elevators, heating, etc., along with a 600-seat cafe), but will also feature several major upgrades and visitor enhancements, including:

A new state-of-the-art gallery for the giant Star-Spangled Banner flag that flew over Fort McHenry that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became The National Anthem.
10-foot-high artifact walls on the 1st and 2nd floors displaying 400 of the museum’s 3 million historical objects
A …read more

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In 1908 New York, an art exhibition consisting of works from eight artists, mostly Philadelphia and New York newspaper illustrators, opened. The works were reflecting the rebellious attitude of eight artists against the current American Impressionist movement. Their style reflected rough and tough urban life — drunks, prostitutes, boxers, and other working class images were there themes. 
The exhibit catapulted these eight independent American artists and a new artistic movement. The artists, called The Eight, were a group of American painters who united to oppose academic traditions held by the established art world.
Their style advanced modernism, incorporating realist …read more

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On the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday in 1939, the U.S. first officially celebrated the development of human flight
Perhaps “recognized” is a better word, because I’ve never heard of an “Aviation Day party.  But I am thinking about starting a new tradition and hosting one.  I did a quick search for aviation-themed cocktails and I never knew there were so many. If you decide to celebrate Aviation Day, check out the list of cocktail recipes at the end of this post.Established by President Roosevelt in 1939, August 19th was designated National Aviation Day.
With two great Air and Space Museums in the area, …read more

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Spectacular and award-winning images of nature are on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.  The exhibit displays selected photographs from the 2006 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards and the National Wildlife Photography Awards competitions.
From over 24,000 entries, the winners represent the best in wildlife and nature through the art of photography.
     
Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History
10th Street and Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20560
Admission – all and Smithsonian museums are free
Hours – Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through March 25th
Nearest Metro subway station – Smithsonian Station (use the Mall exit) – Blue and Orange …read more

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