Which Smithsonian museum opened its new Washington, D.C., home on July 1, 1976?

The National Air and Space Museum opened its new Washington, D.C., home on July 1, 1976.

The museum's National Mall building opened just three days before the United States Bicentennial's central anniversary. Its opening formed part of the nationwide celebration of American history, science, and technological achievement.

The National Air and Space Museum traces the development of aviation and spaceflight through aircraft, spacecraft, engines, instruments, and historical documents. Its collection includes iconic objects such as the 1903 Wright Flyer, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, and the Apollo 11 command module Columbia.

The museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution, but it should not be confused with the National Museum of American History. That neighboring Smithsonian museum focuses more broadly on American political, social, and cultural history. A second major Air and Space Museum location opened at Washington Dulles International Airport in 2003.