Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

#MemorialDay, also known as Decoration Day, is an annual holiday where our nation pauses to honor the service and sacrifice of military heroes who gave their lives for our freedoms. #ANationsStory #APeoplesJourney 📸 1. Photo from the scrapbook owned by Lt. Louise Lomax, Army Nurse Corps. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pia Marie Winters Jordan in memory of her mother, First Lieutenant Louise Virginia Lomax Winters, Army Nurse Corps; and her uncle, Sgt. Henry James Lomax, U.S. Army. 2. Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. 3. Photograph of 1st Class of Advanced Civilian Pilot Training Program, 1940. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sheron J. Rose, daughter. 4. Soldier’s Medal awarded to Major Colin L. Powell. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell.

In keeping with the principles her late husband espoused, Dr. Betty Shabazz continued to raise their six young daughters in the orthodox (Sunni) Muslim faith, teaching them “to face reality, to accept themselves . . . [and] to realize that it was their spiritual and moral duty to help oppressed people.” Learn more on our Searchable Museum: https://s.si.edu/4cUloAZ. 🎥 Malcolm X, 1964. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lebert "Sandy" Bethune.

Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, #OnThisDay in 1925, Malcolm X was the fourth of seven children born to Earl Little and Louise Norton. His parents were members of Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) – with his father serving as the Omaha chapter president and his mother as the division secretary. UNIA stressed Black pride, economic independence, and a celebration of African history and culture — principles that shaped Malcolm X early in childhood and later emboldened his messages of self-determination, personal pride, and social responsibility. Following Garvey's nationalist traditions, Malcolm X spoke to millions of African Americans who felt cast off by society with hopes of igniting in them a sense of self-worth and pride. He promoted self-sufficiency, clean living, and literacy as means of personal uplift. Today, we remember Malcolm X on his 100th birthday, acknowledging the magnitude of his presence and the transformative power of his messages: https://s.si.edu/3S810Td. 📸 1. Courtesy of Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. 2. Photograph by Harmon Perry. Johnson Publishing Company Archive. Courtesy J. Paul Getty Trust and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. 3. Courtesy of Bettmann/Getty Images. 4. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Estate of Lloyd W. Yearwood.

#OnThisDay in 1896, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the decision of “separate but equal” in Plessy v. Ferguson. The case determined the constitutionality of a Louisiana law passed in 1890 "providing for separate railway carriages for the white and colored races." #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory 📸 Courtesy of Jack Delano/PhotoQuest/Getty Images.

#OnThisDay in 1954, the Supreme Court delivered its unanimous 9-0 decision overturning the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson ruling as it applied to public education, making school segregation unconstitutional. Chief Justice Earl Warren delivered the opinion of the Court, which held that “separate but equal” facilities were inherently unequal and violated the protections of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory 📸 Courtesy of UPI/Bettmann/Getty Images.

Play and learn with us as we join our friends at the National Zoo to celebrate birds and birdwatching! At the Zoo’s Bird House Classroom and Nature Play Space, enjoy an interactive read-aloud of “Sparrow Loves Birds” by Murry Burgess led by our education team. Also, create a bird art collage and explore hands-on bird activity stations. Plus, visit live birds throughout the Bird House! Free. Registration required: https://s.si.edu/4mbDSkv.

In celebration of Malcolm X’s 100th anniversary of his birth, the Museum will host an evening dedicated to honoring one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. The event will feature inspiring music and insightful conversation as we pay tribute to Malcolm’s life journey from Malcolm Little to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, highlighting the bold vision he held for civil rights and self-determination. The evening will feature composer Terrence Blanchard, followed by a dynamic post-performance dialogue. This commemorative program reflects on a legacy that continues to influence the ongoing pursuit of civil rights around the world. Free. Registration required: https://s.si.edu/4mbDSkv.

🗞️ Intern at one of Washington, D.C.'s most exciting museums! 🍂 Our museum provides a dynamic learning environment and access to supportive supervisors who help interns reach their educational and professional goals. Interns can gain practical museum skills and program development experience in various traditional and non-traditional museum careers. "I loved and still cherish my internship at NMAAHC. It was the highlight of my undergraduate career. Working at such a meaningful, symbolic, and impactful organization gave me a sense of purpose, especially as a young Black woman in America." - Jada A., Curatorial Intern (2019) Learn more and apply before June 15: https://s.si.edu/434KJ4x.

Join historian Dr. Peniel E. Joseph for a discussion about Malcolm X’s role in the Civil Rights Movement and the lasting impact of his ideas on leadership, activism, and political thought. This conversation will focus on Malcolm X’s evolving vision for global human rights and explore his connections and differences with contemporaries such as Martin Luther King Jr. And others. A book signing and sale will be available following the program. The program will be presented at the Warner Bros. Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History . Free to attend. Registration required: https://s.si.edu/4mbDSkv

Experience Malcolm X’s enduring influence through spoken word and live jazz in this program presented in partnership with the American Poetry Museum. Hosted by poet Sami Miranda, the event features performances by acclaimed poets Sasa Aakil, Kenneth Carroll, and Laini Mataka. Jazz musician Pepe Gonzalez leads the musical accompaniment along with William Knowles and Greg C. Halloway, weaving together rhythm, verse, and memory in celebration of Malcolm’s vision. Free. Registration required: https://s.si.edu/4mbDSkv