Space Shuttle Discovery's final flight

Space Shuttle Discovery's final flight

WASHINGTON, United States - A modified jumbo jet carrying the retired Space Shuttle Discovery prepares to land at Dulles International Airport in the suburbs of Washington on April 17, 2012. In making its final flight from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, the space shuttle took a scenic route over downtown Washington en route to its final destination, passing near the White House, Washington Monument and Smithsonian Institution, to the delight of thousands of spectators.

150 people take part in 'Beyond Sushi' event in Washington

150 people take part in 'Beyond Sushi' event in Washington

WASHINGTON, United States - Some 150 people viewed culinary demonstrations and tasted Japanese dishes May 12 in Washington at Beyond Sushi, the first event on Japanese food culture ever organized by the Smithsonian Institution.

Enola Gay exhibition begins amid protests

Enola Gay exhibition begins amid protests

WASHINGTON, United States - Visitors look at the fully reassembled Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II, at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington on Dec. 15. The institution opened the exhibition, which was criticized for not mentioning the casualties and destruction caused by the bomb.

Enola Gay exhibition winds up

Enola Gay exhibition winds up

Visitors to the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington have a final look at the cockpit of Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, on Aug. 6, 1945. The controversial exhibition closed May 18 with little notice or fanfare after a three-year run. ==Kyodo

150 people take part in 'Beyond Sushi' event in Washington

150 people take part in 'Beyond Sushi' event in Washington

WASHINGTON, United States - Some 150 people viewed culinary demonstrations and tasted Japanese dishes May 12 in Washington at Beyond Sushi, the first event on Japanese food culture ever organized by the Smithsonian Institution. (Kyodo)

Space Shuttle Discovery's final flight

Space Shuttle Discovery's final flight

WASHINGTON, United States - A modified jumbo jet carrying the retired Space Shuttle Discovery prepares to land at Dulles International Airport in the suburbs of Washington on April 17, 2012. In making its final flight from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, the space shuttle took a scenic route over downtown Washington en route to its final destination, passing near the White House, Washington Monument and Smithsonian Institution, to the delight of thousands of spectators. (Kyodo)

Enola Gay exhibition begins amid protests

Enola Gay exhibition begins amid protests

WASHINGTON, United States - Visitors look at the fully reassembled Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II, at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington on Dec. 15. The institution opened the exhibition, which was criticized for not mentioning the casualties and destruction caused by the bomb. (Kyodo)