Summer in D.C.: 2009 History Related Events

The AHA’s headquarters is located in D.C., amidst the hustle and bustle of Capitol Hill. Our location here is advantageous for a number of reasons, one of which being proximity to various history exhibits and events. In case you’re in the area, or are traveling to D.C. for a vacation this summer, here are some events in D.C. you may want to check out:

• Smithsonian Folklife Festival– July 1-5
  At this year’s Folklife Festival celebrate “the deep, rich threads of the African American oral tradition,” learn about Latino culture through music, discover Wales in the past and present, and more.
• 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 – July 16 and 19
  To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing the Air and Space museum is holding a number of events, including: an art exhibition, book signing, “Ask an Expert” lecture series, and the Annual John H. Glenn Lecture (which is unfortunately sold out).
• 2009 National Book Festival– September 26
  The National Book Festival is an annual event held on the Mall in Washington, D.C. in late September. The date for the 2009 festival has been set for September 26th. Please see the LOC web page for periodic updates and AHA Today’s coverage of previous year’s events (2007 and 2008).
• National Portrait Gallery: Presidents in Waiting – Through 2009
  A look at the 14 vice presidents who became presidents.
• National Archives – BIG!
  The National Archives celebrates 75 years with BIG “pieces of the American story.” See a few pieces of this exhibit in this article.
• Lincoln Bicentennial – Through 2009
  The celebration of Lincoln’s birth in 1809 continues this summer and for the rest of this year in various museums around D.C. Here are a few places offering Lincoln events:  the Library of Congress, Lincoln Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Portrait Gallery, Newseum, and many more.

This post first appeared on AHA Today.