【原】Smithsonian Institution （June 27：美国历史上的今天）

内容提要：美国一系列博物馆和研究机构的集合组织，史密斯苏尼亚机构（Smithsonian Institution）是如何成立的。

James Smithson was an English scientist. He was born in I765. He became well-known for his research in chemistry and geology地质学. 

Smithson died on June 27, 1829. In his will遗嘱, he gave $500,000 to the United States. He said it was to be used to build a special place in Washington, D.C. Its purpose would be to increase and spread knowledge to all people. He asked that it be named after him. The English thought this was an odd奇怪的 thing for him to do since Smithson had never been to the United States. 

The United States Congress (美国国会）took several years planning the best way to carry out Smithson's request. In 1846, they agreed to build the Smithsonian Institution. 

Since its beginning, the Smithsonian has grown to include 16 museums and galleries画廊. Among them are the Museum of Natural History (自然历史博物馆）and the National Portrait Gallery(国家肖像画廊）. In the Museum of American History are the first American flag and a collection of gowns长袍 worn by first ladies. The Wright Brothers' first plane, the Flyer, is in the National Air and Space Museum. The first U.S. space capsule密封舱 to orbit绕……旋转 Earth is there. There is also a zoo that has more than 2,000 living animals, birds, and reptiles爬行动物.

In all, millions of items are on display for people to see and study. Up to 40 million visitors a year go to the different places that make up the Smithsonian Institution.

本文选自上海外语教育出版社引进出版的

《听读美国小故事》第6册（六月）

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