The Smithsonian Institution was based on a gift of James Smithson, a British scientist, who left his entire estate to the United States of America in 1827.  His gift of over 100,000 gold sovereigns, or $500,000, (just under $9.5 million in today’s dollars) required the government to establish the Smithsonian Institution, to “increase and diffusion of knowledge."

An act of Congress in 1846 expanded the growth of collection into the world’s largest museum complex (16 museums) with over 140 million objects and the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

The Smithsonian museums include:

• Anacostia Community Museum
• Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
• Arts and Industries Building
• Freer Gallery of Art
• Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
• National Air and Space Museum
• National Museum of African Art
• National Museum of American History
• National Museum of the American Indian
• National Museum of Natural History
• National Portrait Gallery
• National Postal Museum
• S. Dillon Ripley Center
• Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Smithsonian Institution Building
• Smithsonian National Zoological Park (National Zoo)
• The National Gallery of Art (affiliated)

Happy Birthday Smithsonian!!

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Post from: The DC Traveler

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, it’s a great time for a visit and admission is free to both museums.But first, here’s a few interesting video clips of the history and evolution of flight.First Flights – early 1900s

F-22 Raptor

Remember the James Bond Jet-Pack??? It lives!!

World War II Warbirds in Action.

National Air and Space Museum
Independence Avenue at 6th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20560 (map it)Dates and Times – Daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Nearest Metro Subway Station – L’Enfant Plaza – Blue, Orange, Green and Yellow lines, and Smithsonian – Blue and Orange linesParking – Limited metered street parking is available.
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The Udvar-Hazy center is about two times larger at almost 300,000 sq. ft., and is housed in the Boeing Aviation Hangar.  It’s big enough to hold a space shuttle…in one of the side halls.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, Virginia 20151 (map it)

Dates and Times -  Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 PMParking - $12.00Nearest Metro Subway Station  – Transportation – Getting to the Udvar-Hazy Center by public transportation can be challenging. There are a few options.First you need to get to Dulles Airport.  The easiest way is to take the Metro subway to the West Falls Church station (Orange line), then  take a Washington Flyer Coach to the airport ($16.00 round-trip). Buses run every 30 minutes.You can also take the Metro subway to L’enfant Plaza (Yellow line) or Rosslyn (Orange line), then the Metro 5A bus to Dulles Airport (cost about $9.00 round-trip).From Dulles Airport, catch the Virginia Regional Transit shuttle bus to/from the Udvar-Hazy Center daily from 10:45 – 5:50 ever 45 minutes.—————————————————————-Aviation-themed Cocktails for your own Aviation Day Party.

Aviation -  gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juiceKamakazi – vodka, triple sec, lime juiceTailspin – gin, Sweet Vermouth, Green Chartreuse, Campari,  (sounds horrible, no wonder it’s called a tailspin)

Jolly Pilot  – gin, brandy, Cointreau, Sherry, Angostura bitters

Sky Pilot – gin, crème de noyeau, orange juice, Sherry

Sky Pilot - applejack, rum, grenadine, lime juiceFlying Fortress - Cognac, vodka, anisette, CointreauFlying Tiger – white rum, gin, grenadine, sugar, aromatic bittersParachute Cooler – coffee, kirsch, brandy, egg white

For specific recipes, click here. _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler