The Smithsonian Institution, also known simply as the Smithsonian, is a group of museums and research centers administered by the government of the United States. It was founded on August 10, 1846, "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge".
The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson. It was originally organized as the "United States National Museum", but that name ceased to exist as an administrative entity in 1967. Termed "the nation's attic" for its eclectic holdings of 154 million items, the Institution's 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and zoo include historical and architectural …