Smithsonian Institution

“Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers, and me.” 🎶🌈 In “The Muppet Movie” (1979), Kermit the Frog sang “Rainbow Connection,” encouraging viewers to believe in themselves and follow their dreams. One of Jim Henson’s earliest creations, Kermit was the star and host of "The Muppet Show" and appears on "Sesame Street." He’s a calm, level-headed character who is constantly trying to keep everything together. Kermit, Miss Piggy, the Cookie Monster, and even more of their Muppet friends are on view in “Entertainment Nation” at our Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Ten ways to pause and unwind at the Smithsonian. ❤️ National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History | National Museum of the American Indian | Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute | Smithsonian American Art Museum | Smithsonian Gardens | Smithsonian Environmental Research Center | Smithsonian National Museum of African Art | National Portrait Gallery | Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

#OnThisDay in 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress. The Brooklyn, New York native represented New York’s 12th congressional district for 7 terms from 1969 to 1983. Learn more on our Searchable Museum: https://s.si.edu/4fyX1sq. 📸 Courtesy of the Library of Congress, 2018650328.

Have you read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values," published in 1972? This is Robert M. Pirsig’s 1966 Honda Super Hawk motorcycle featured in the book, which follows a monthlong road trip Pirsig took with his 11-year-old son Chris. As they rode the 5,700 mile route, Pirsig became better acquainted with his son and himself. It's currently on display at Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

“Old enough to fight, old enough to vote.” That was the slogan used by many young Americans who successfully fought to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 when President Nixon signed the 26th Amendment in 1971. Leading up to the ‘72 election, political parties and independent groups ran marketing campaigns that specifically targeted these newly enfranchised voters. For instance, the Student Vote Project made public service announcements on popular radio stations and designed an array of promotional merchandise, now in the collection of our Smithsonian National Museum of American History, to appeal to younger generations.

We remember Quincy Jones—legendary musician, composer, producer, and friend to the Smithsonian. Though Jones began his career as a jazz trumpeter, he earned the most success as a composer and arranger for other musicians. A 28-time Grammy Award winner, Jones collaborated with some of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Dizzy Gillespie. He composed soundtracks for the films “In Cold Blood” and “The Color Purple” and served as the musical supervisor for the movie adaption of “The Wiz.” Jones also famously produced “We Are the World,” a charity single featuring more than 40 singers to raise funds for famine relief in Africa. We celebrate Jones’ generous contributions to the Smithsonian. In 2002, he helped launch Smithsonian National Museum of American History ’s annual Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) to highlight the heritage and history of jazz music. And more recently, he served on the founding museum council for our Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, co-producing the museum’s opening celebration “Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories that Changed America” in 2016. “A creative genius, Quincy Jones shaped American culture as we know it today,” shared Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III. “It was my privilege to call him a mentor and friend. Quincy and I shared long conversations about museums and music. His joy for life was infectious. My deepest condolences to his friends, family, and community.” 1: Quincy Jones, 1998; printed 2019. Photograph by Platon. Courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. © Platon 2: “Quincy Jones” by Chuck Stewart, 1959. Acquired through the generosity of Elizabeth Ann Hylton. © Chuck Stewart National Portrait Gallery 3: Quincy Jones, 1976. Photograph by Moneta Sleet Jr. Johnson Publishing Company Archive. Courtesy J. Paul Getty Trust and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Before U.S. Army Sergeant Emery Good Bird, Sr. (Minitari [Hidatsa]), known as Blue Bird, left the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota to serve in the Vietnam War, Chief Drags Wolf gave him an eagle plume to wear in his helmet for strength and protection. Though his plume and helmet were lost in battle, Blue Bird returned home safely. To honor Blue Bird’s service, his granddaughter, artist and fashion designer Lauren Good Day (Arikara/Hidatsa/Blackfeet/Plains Cree) illustrated his sacred story on this muslin dress. The artist celebrates her grandfather’s skills as a hunter and marksman and proud affiliation with the social and ceremonial Stone Hammer Society through detailed imagery and beadwork. And, of course, she recognizes the significance of her grandfather’s cherished eagle plume on both sides of this 21st-century dress. In illustrating the dress, Good Day revives an older, traditional art that honors the war deeds of male relatives. Historically, dresses of this type are rare, and traditionally only women whose relatives had been killed in battle could wear them. The artwork, titled “A Warrior's Story, Honoring Grandpa Blue Bird,” is currently on view at our National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and is featured in the Smithsonian's new education guide, in collaboration with USA Today, that brings courageous profiles of veterans to life. Download your free copy: https://lnkd.in/eMbik8y5.

From the desk of Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III: A creative genius, Quincy Jones shaped American culture as we know it today. A longtime supporter and council member of Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, Quincy organized a concert to celebrate the museum, an amazing evening that lifted spirits. It was my privilege to call him a mentor and friend. Quincy and I shared long conversations about museums and music. His joy for life was infectious. In this photo, we are exploring the culture galleries before the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened. My deepest condolences to his friends, family, and community.

This Native American Heritage Month we're commemorating the life of Zitkala-Ša (Yankton Dakota Sioux, 1876-1938), who is featured on the newest U.S. quarter! Through 2025, the American Women Quarters™ Program celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women of the United States with new quarters released by the United States Mint in partnership with our museum. ➡️ Join us on Friday, November 29 at National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, to mark Native American Heritage Day and the release of the Zitkala-Ša quarter with hoop dancer Starr Chief Eagle. https://s.si.edu/48uPFE4 Zitkala-Ša was a gifted violinist and composer, accomplished author, and advocate for American Indian rights. Her activism led to the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, which granted American Indians US citizenship while maintaining their tribal standing. Zitkala-Ša died on January 26, 1938, in Washington, DC, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. #SmithsonianNAHM

When writing “The House on Mango Street,” Sandra Cisneros drew upon her experiences as the daughter of a working-class Mexican American family in Chicago. To honor her mother, Elvira Cordero Cisneros, the award-winning author created an ofrenda at our Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 2014. Ofrendas are at the heart of Día de los Muertos celebrations. Individuals and families create these altars to honor their loved ones, so that the departed might gather, rest, and enjoy a few of their favorite treats and belongings with family and friends. Some of Elvira’s beloved possessions that her daughter featured in this ofrenda include: books that were by her bedside table, her favorite flowers (roses), her "junk drawer" and all the little knickknacks in it, various dolls she collected, and a VHS copy of one her favorite movies—“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” Since her mother was happiest when she had coffee and pastries set out for her, Cisneros also set out a selection of cakes, cookies, and coffee for her enjoyment. #DiaDeLosMuertos #DiaDeMuertos #DayOfTheDead