The Smithsonian Institution was founded for the "increase and diffusion" of knowledge from a bequest to the United States by the British scientist James Smithson, who had never visited the US himself.
It's the only place in the states where you'll be scolded for speaking English and ashamed to be so uncultured. Ah, just like Paris. Oui
Happy International Day of the Girl! Yesterday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton just announced new initiatives to end child marriage! Thank you to everyone who sent her a note! Read more.
Passport DC Challenge: Take a picture of Saudi Arabia’s national logo. The tree is a date palm, since dates are a major cash crop for Saudi Arabia and a staple of the Saudi diet. http://bit.ly/g37lHU
USNO isn't open to the public except for limited tours that require advance reservations. It has one of the best astronomy libraries in the world.
Well off the National Mall, this is one of DC's best kept museum secrets. The history of DC exhibit is fantastic, but be sure to check out the Lego brick buildings upstairs until September 2012. Read more.
