"Brent D. Glass" is a public historian who pioneered influential oral history and material culture studies and was Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian Institution/Smithsonian's National Museum of American History from 2002-2011. He is an author and international speaker on cultural diplomacy and museum management. He writes on topics ranging from state-of-the-museum blogs to public memory, historic literacy, historic preservation, and industrial history.

Glass led the two-year, $85 million renovation of the National Museum of American History, completed in 2008, revitalizing public spaces and creating a new public square on the National Mall for citizenship naturalization ceremonies and other public events. Since 2002, he has overseen conservation of the Star-Spangled Banner, creation of major new exhibitions on transportation, maritime history, military history and first ladies' gowns, installation of nearly 50 other exhibitions and hundreds of online and public programs, and the Museum has raised more than $75 million from individuals, foundations and corporations.

More Brent Glass on Wikipedia.

Hip hop has reached well beyond its urban roots to diverse national dimensions and has been an integral part of American culture for almost 30 years.

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There was no 'golden age' of rebuilding. They had the same controversies then that we have now.

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The survival of this flag for nearly 200 years is a visible testimony to the strength and perseverance of the nation, and we hope that it will inspire many more generations in the future.

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This is truly an historic occasion.

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