The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture opens on the National Mall.
At a Glance
- Date
- 24 September 2016
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
- Key people
- Lonnie Bunch, Barack Obama
- Category
- Education & HBCUs
- Source
- Smithsonian Institution records (2016) · Smithsonian NMAAHC
What It Meant Then
It created the first national museum devoted entirely to the Black American experience.
What It Means Now
The museum draws millions of visitors as a permanent home for Black history.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “The National Museum of African American History and Culture Opens.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture-opens/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). The National Museum of African American History and Culture Opens. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture-opens/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “The National Museum of African American History and Culture Opens.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture-opens/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.