Smithsonian.com

Celebrate civil rights at the Smithsonian! Image courtesy of the Postal Museum.

Sorry kids, no special events happening today. But never fear—other stuff is here! Be sure to check this Web site for a listing of regularly scheduled Smithsonian fun.

Wednesday, February 17: Discovery Theater: Builder Bill

Celebrate Engineering Week with Builder Bill who will show you how buildings are made—with pulleys, levers, and all sorts of cool machines. Then try your hand at being head of a construction crew by way of interactive demonstrations led by docents from The National Building Museum. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 general admission; $5 children; children ages two and under are free. Tickets may be purchased online (click here for details) or in person at the ticket office in the International Gallery. Discovery Theater, 10:40 AM. This program repeats today at 11:20 AM and 12:00 PM and tomorrow at 10:00 AM, 10:40 AM, 11:20 AM and 12:00 PM.

Thursday, February 18: Meet Our Museum: Executive Order 9066 and The Day of Remembrance

Noriko Sanefuji of the museum’s Department of Work and Industry will discuss the devastating impact of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s order—signed on this day in 1942—to transfer almost 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry to federal detention camps. In the throes of World War II, these Americans were assumed guilty of potential disloyalty solely because of their racial background and were forced to live behind barbed wire for the duration of the war. Free. American History Museum, 12:15 PM.

Friday, February 19: Sit Down. Stand Up!

In this Discovery Theater Presentation, learn about four black college students who fought for fair and equal treatment by sitting down at a whites-only lunch counter on February 1, 1960. Learn the songs they sang and how they spurred the Civil Rights Movement. Tickets are required. Rates are: $6 general admission; $5 children; children ages two and under are free. Tickets may be purchased online (click here for details) or in person at the ticket office in the International Gallery. American History Museum, 10:15 Am. This event repeats today at 11:30.