On this Day in Smithsonian History
Picture This!
Real Jeopardy Questions from category titled “Smithsonian Honors America’s 250th"
Pop Culture
The Zoo
100
On August 10, 1846 the U.S. Senate passed the act organizing this organization dedicated to the “increase and diffusion of knowledge” which was signed into law by President James K. Polk.
What is the Smithsonian Institution?
100
Henry the elephant stands at 13 feet tall and weighs 11 tons. In 2015 Henry was carefully cleaned and patched with special hand-colored beeswax. His new platform includes a visitor information desk and info on African elephant ecology, the threat of poaching, and elephants’ place in geologic time. He greets all visitors upon entering this museum.
What is the National Museum of Natural History Museum (NHMH)?
100
In 1964, this boxer wore headgear seen here at Angelo Dundee’s Fifth Street gym before a fight night in Miami beach and a name change.
Who is Muhmmad Ali?
100
This 2009 film shot scenes at the Castle, National Museum of Natural History, and National Air and Space Museum and is the first feature film allowed to use SI’s name in the movie’s title.
What is Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian?
100
This baby elephant was born overnight on Monday, February 2, 2026. She was the first calf born at the National Zoo in nearly 25 years. On April 22nd, Earth Day, she made her public debut.
Who is Linh Mai?
200
This museum formally known as the US National Museum Building was completed June 20, 1911. The building houses art, anthropological, and historical collections.
What is the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)?
200
The 1903 Wright Flyer was the product of a sophisticated four-year program of research and development conducted by Wilbur and Orville Wright beginning in 1899. Today it is located at this museum.
What is the National Air and Space Museum (NASM)?
200
The gavel Susan B Anthony used with the NWSA or the National Woman This Association has the inscription order is heaven’s first law.
What is suffrage?
200
This book genre utilizes the Smithsonian the most.
What is murder mystery?
200
In the 1950s, the National Zoo emerged as a leader in animal care and conservation science. In the mid-1970s, the Zoo expanded significantly when they founded this non-public research facility.
What is the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute?
300
On December 25, 1984 The Naming of America opened at this museum displaying the world map of Martin Waldseemuller, thought to be the first map on which the name "America" was used.
What is the National Museum of American History (NMAH)?
300
This courtyard displayed connects two major museums that both celebrate the history and culture of the United States.
What is SAAM and National Portrait Gallery?
300
Apollo 8 the first manned craft to orbit the moon, had a command module piloted by this man, who would go on to command Apollo 13.
Who is Jim Lovell?
300
This exhibit at the National Museum of American History immerses visitors in the dramatic arc of the nation’s story as told through the power and influence of theater, television, film, music and sports.
What is Entertainment Nation/Nacion del espectaculo?
300
In 1972, these two giant pandas arrived. Their arrival launched an on-going international collaboration with Chinese scientists to better understand and save the critically endangered bears.
Who are Ling Ling and Hsing Hisng?
400
This British scientist whom never visited America left his entire estate to the United States “at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge died in 1829.
Who is James Smithson?
400
The Greensboro Lunch Counter where four African American college students sat down and asked to be served at the “whites only” counter is located at this museum.
What is the National Museum of American History (NMAH)?
400
The Honda Super Hawk chopper that inspired this 1974 Robert Pirsig book about a very. unique road trip
What is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
400
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Front, Inside Man, Big Daddy, Black Swan, and the Amazing Spider-Man were all filmed at this SI Unit.
What is NMAI – NY?
400
Deer, foxes, prairie dogs, badgers, lynx, and this animal were rescued by William Temple Hornaday in the late 1880s and became the animals that started the National Zoological Park.
What are bison?
500
In 1855, this architect designed the Smithsonian Institution Building, also known as the Castle. Three years later, he designed an art museum which was the first building in the United States built specifically to be an art museum.
Who is James Renwick Jr.?
500
Anderson worked ten-hour days at this museum for more than two weeks, painting directly on the walls and floors of this large gallery and covering nearly every inch with stories, song lyrics, jokes, and commentary on current events for this exhibit titled Four Talks.
What is the Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG)?
500
A table and two chairs where some of the items sold by Wilmer McLain after his house made this Virgina place famous in 1865.
What is Appomattox Court House?
500
In an episode of this series where four retired, divorced women live together in Miami, the Smithsonian is mentioned in this dialogue: Blanche: “Dorothy, what do you think I oughta do with my bed?” Dorothy: “Put it in the Smithsonian, Blanche. It’s got more miles on it than the Spirit of St. Louis!”.
What are The Golden Girls?
500
In 1889 this president officially signed an act of congress into law creating the National Zoological Park for “the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people.”
Who is Grover Cleveland?