Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

#OnThisDay in 1911, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. It is the first African American fraternity founded at a historically Black university. #APeoplesJourney 📸 Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Margaret Falkener DeLorme, Waldo C. Falkener, Cameron S. Falkener and Gilbert E. DeLorme.

Today, we remember dancer-choreographer Judith Jamison. The Philadelphia native brought passion and power to the art of dance, first as a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which she joined in 1965, and later as their artistic director from 1989 to 2011. Jamison formed her own dance company, The Jamison Project, and fearlessly pushed the boundaries of expression through choreographed works, including “Forgotten Time” (1989) and “Love Stories” (2004). She earned numerous honors, including a Phoenix Award, Primetime Emmy, and induction into the Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Dance. In 2011, Jamison became the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Emerita. Her performances inspired audiences worldwide. Through movement, she affirmed the beauty of Black expression and embodied the cultural richness and vibrancy of the African American experience. 📸 Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc., Photography by Jack Mitchell, © Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution. All rights reserved.

#OnThisDay in 1960, Ruby Bridges integrated an all-white elementary school in the South. On her first day, 4 U.S. Marshals escorted Ruby and her mother to William Frantz Elementary School when local officials refused to protect her. For the entire school year, only one teacher, Barbara Henry, agreed to teach Ruby in a classroom by herself due to the withdrawal of students from her class by their parents. For over a year, Henry taught Ruby alone. Her father was fired from his job, and her grandparents were thrown off the farm they rented. Ruby persisted and finished the school year, remaining a student there through elementary school. #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory 📸 Courtesy of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, NAID: 175739325.

#OnThisDay in 1922, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. 7 young educators founded the sorority. It is the only sorority in the National Pan-Hellenic Council established on a predominantly white campus. #APeoplesJourney 📸 Members of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority during a Founders Day celebration, Baltimore, Maryland, November 13, 1993. Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images.

Black soldiers have served in every war in the United States. In choosing to join the military, they sought to have their service understood by the nation as a demand for liberty and citizenship. African American men and women who enlisted in the military made their service useful not only for the good of their country, but to benefit both their personal lives and their communities. Today, we honor their sacrifice, and the sacrifice of those who still take the call to serve their country. Learn more on our Searchable Museum: https://s.si.edu/3NZGHVZ #VeteransDay #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory 📸 Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina R. McVey, Granddaughter.

📚 Discover the legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune with Noliwe Rooks’ powerful new biography! Renowned public historian and Brown University professor, Rooks sheds light on Bethune’s vital work as an educator, activist, presidential advisor, and founder of Bethune-Cookman Institute—whose indispensable contributions to the civil rights movement have been largely forgotten—until now. Signed books will be available for purchase courtesy of Smithsonian Enterprises. Free to attend. Registration required: https://s.si.edu/48W2VSF

📚 Join us for an inspiring discussion between author and historian Dr. Kate Masur, local educator Jessica Rucker and Maya Davis, Director of Riversdale Historic Museum in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The panel will discuss some of the stories in the book, the importance of teaching Reconstruction both in the classroom and in the community, as well as how “Freedom Was in Sight” can be a tool in teaching this history. Free to attend but registration is required. More details: https://s.si.edu/3NXxWM5.

In observance of Inauguration Day and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday, our museum will be closed on January 20, 2025. For the latest updates, please visit: https://s.si.edu/3WbDCai   📸 Alan Karchmer/NMAAHC

#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.

Join us for the FORWARD Conference, a new biennial event exploring the current and future shape of Black religions through films, panel discussions, literature and music. Join the conference’s advisory council members, museum professionals, religious leaders and scholars for deep discussions of Black America’s collective futures. Free to attend but registration is required. Visit for more details: https://s.si.edu/3NQBNuA