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Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · 28d

Community leaders across D.C. joined us in celebrating Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III at the IPPH America 250 Executive Leadership Award ceremony on September 16.

📸: Antwon Maxwell Photography

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · 29d

What do you really know about The District? 🔎

Stay tuned for our upcoming launch 👀🛒👾🌭🎮

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Sep 17

📸 We’re honored to present the IPPH America 250 Executive Leadership Award to historian and educator Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14th secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

In 2019, Bunch became the first African-American to head the Smithsonian.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Sep 15

In this discussion, the late Rohulamin Quander (1943-2025) traces his family’s lineage as the oldest documented African-American family in the United States, with roots in Maryland and Virginia.

▶️ youtu.be/uPPqY1I--fs?...

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Sep 7

Ro Quander was a distinguished judge, author and historian who dedicated his life to preserving his family’s storied legacy, dating back to 17th century Maryland and Virginia.

We were honored to support Quander’s work as an IPPH Resident Fellow, and send our condolences to his family at this time.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Aug 19

When there was a crime problem, this is what an authentic, respectful partnership looked like.

Pictured: Former D.C. mayor (and IPPH founding director) Sharon Pratt and President George H.W. Bush.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Aug 15

Support the mission of IPPH – invest in history, shape the future.

Your donation helps us expand access to the untold stories of Washington D.C., and build a more perfect union.

➡️: ipph.org/donate.html

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Aug 11

Did John Wilkes Booth live in his brother’s shadow? 👥

▶️ YouTube: Institute of Politics, Policy and History

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Jul 22

#RediscoveringDC: The Kogod Courtyard at The National Portrait Gallery is a breathtaking spot to take in the District’s sun and skies 🌇

The space is open daily from 11:30 AM - 7 PM!

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Jul 16

On July 16, 1790, President George Washington signed the Residence Act into law, stipulating that a location along the Potomac River be selected as the nation’s permanent capital.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Jun 20

Known as the Grandmother of #Juneteenth, Opal Lee is a retired teacher whose activism led to Juneteenth becoming a federally recognized holiday.

Lee and her supporters marched for 2.5 miles a day - symbolizing the 2.5 years after Emancipation it took for enslaved Texans to learn of their freedom.

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Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Jun 18

#RediscoveringDC: Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum was the first of its kind in the country to be federally funded.

☀️ Enjoy some indoor/outdoor summer fun this Saturday, in honor of Juneteenth!

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Jun 11

▶️ Catch more Michael Steele at our YouTube: Institute of Politics, Policy and History

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Jun 8

Also known as the “Resolution for Independence,” the Lee Resolution was the first formal declaration of the Thirteen Colonies being free and separated from the British Empire.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Jun 8

When he was sworn in as lieutenant governor of Maryland, Michael Steele took over the former office of Thomas Jefferson - overlooking Kunta Kinte’s port of arrival in the United States.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · Jun 4

#OnThisDay in 1800, President John Adams arrived in D.C. for the first time, as Washington took Philadelphia’s place as the nation’s capital city.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · May 30

#OnThisDay in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall by chief justice of the United States William Howard Taft.

The monument has been the backdrop of many historically renowned speeches, including MLK Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” delivered during the March on Washington in 1963.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · May 28

What pushed John Russworm to his breaking point?

Dr. Christopher Bonner chats with Mayor Sharon Pratt about the legacy of America’s first Black newspaper 📰

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Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · May 26

The nation’s capital is a coveted backdrop for stories about heroes fighting for a greater good. Check out these films shot and referenced in Washington D.C!

Did you catch any new movies this #MemorialDay weekend?

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · May 24

#OnThisDay in 1844: American artist and inventor Samuel Morse sent the first commerical telegraph message from the U.S. Capitol to B&O Railroad in Baltimore, MD.

The question “What Hath God Wrought?” was pulled from the Bible verse Numbers 23:23.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · May 21

The story of Ben’s Chili Bowl embodies the culture of the nation’s capital - grit, persistence and legacy.

Pictured (L-R): Vida Ali, Virginia Ali, co-founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl, and Mayor Sharon Pratt.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · May 20

Former D.C. mayor Sharon Pratt celebrated the USS District of Columbia - the lead boat of the U.S. Navy’s Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, and their first vessel to be named for the nation’s capital.

(L-R) Councilman Jack Evans, Mayor Sharon Pratt, @nationals senior VP Gregory McCarthy.

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Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · May 17

#OnThisDay in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the “separate but equal” doctrine as unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education.

The NAACP’s defense was led by Thurgood Marshall - Baltimore native, Howard Law alum, and America’s first African-American Supreme Court justice.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · May 16

Frederick Douglass was fashionable with a purpose.

Author and professor Dr. Christopher Bonner discuss the impact of his self expression on American society.

Institute of Politics, Policy and History @ipph.bsky.social · May 14

IPPH board member Michael Steele reflects on his up close reckoning with America’s history.

Does America suffer from historical amnesia?