Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Smithsonian's National Zoo
1886 After witnessing the near extinction of bison, scientist William Hornaday works with the Smithsonian to create a natonal zoo.
1889 President Grover Cleveland signs a bill to establish the National Zoo for the purpose of saving animals from extinction.
1891 The National Zoo officially opens to the public.
1892 The Zoo's first permanent building is completed, housing almost all the animals. It later becomes the Lion House.
1937 The Zoo unveils a new Elephant House. Fully updated in 2013, it becomes the Elephant Community Center.
1939 The Zoo turns 50 as World War II breaks out in Europe. The Zoo does its part as keepers and other employees go to war.
1950 Rescued from a blaze, Smokey Bear becomes a living symbol of the United State's campaign to prevent forest fires and comes to live at the Zoo.
1958 Concerned Washingtonians form Friends of the National Zoo to raise funds for much-needed repairs.
1972 The Zoo pioneers a program to breed golden lion tamarins and reintroduced them to the rainforests in Brazil.
1972 First Lady Pat Nixon formally welcomes giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, gifts from the People's Republic of China. Panda mania ensues!
1988 The Zoo helps black-footed ferrets rebound from near extinction. Today more than 1,000 live in the wild.
1991 The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center opens and soars to international prominence for its research and conservation work.
1992 Komodo dragons hatch at the Zoo, for the first time ever outside Indonesia.
1999 Zoo researchers spearhead efforts to combat chytrid, a deadly fungus that threatens one-third of amphibian species.
2001 Kandula, a male Asian elephant, is born. His birth reflects Zoo scientists growing understanding of elephant reproduction.
2005 Tai Shan is born. He becomes the first giant panda cub in Zoo history to live into adulthood.
2012 The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, a partnership between the Zoo and George Mason University, opens to the first class of students.
2013 Bao Bao is born. She is the Zoo's second healthy giant panda cub, and growing strong!
This exhibition has been brought to you in part by: Lend Lease
Erected by Smithsonian Institution.
Location. 38° Touch for map. On the grounds of the Smithsonian National Zoological Garden. Marker is at or near this postal address: 95 Olmsted Walk, Washington DC 20008, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (a few steps from this marker); House Remodeling (within shouting distance of this marker); It's Our 125th Birthday! (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Feeding Times at the Zoo (about 300 feet away); Meet Our Bison (about 400 feet away); Rebuilding in the Wild (about 500 feet away); And Then There Were (Almost) None (about 500 feet away); Bison and the National Zoo (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smithsonian National Zoo.
Categories. • Animals • Charity & Public Work • Environment •
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2017. This page originally submitted on December 17, 2017, by Devry Jones of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 17, 2017, by Devry Jones of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.