Washington's African-American history museum opens
It marks the end of a long struggle. The opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, DC is a triumph - and a platform for the darkest and brightest chapters in America's past.
Double standard of equality
The US Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, states that all persons are created equal. But equality never applied to slaves. President Thomas Jefferson owned over 600 slaves himself. Their names have been written on the stones at this memorial, which is part of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, opening on September 24 in Washington, DC.
A modest home for slaves
This hut was built around 1850 in South Carolina for slaves from the Point of Palms Plantation on Edisto Island to live in. African-American families lived in cabins like these - without heating or electricity - up until the 1980s.
Chuck Berry's Cadillac
The pioneer of rock 'n' roll used to drive from concert to concert in his legendary Cadillac. Apparently it wasn't that easy to convince Chuck Berry to offer his car to the new museum. But now it's on display to tell the story of African-American pop culture and the pivotal role of musicians in it.
The first black president
The exhibition spans the period in history from slavery to the election of America's first black president. Many African-Americans saw Barack Obama's victory in 2008 as an acknowledgment of their long struggle for equality. Michelle Obama wore this dress with red flowers at the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, where Martin Luther King, Jr. held his "I have a dream" speech in 1963.
Historical highlights
The museum aims to cover a broad range of topics concerning African-American culture and history - including music. Hip-hop is largely rooted in African-American soul and funk music. Film stars like Halle Berry and Denzel Washington are also presented. In 2002, Berry became the first and only black woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress.
A three-tiered crown
The museum is the latest edition to the Smithsonian collection - and sticks out visually on the National Mall. Most of the other Smithsonian museums and research institutes on the boulevard have marble facades. David Adjaye, a British architect with Tanzanian roots, designed the museum, finding inspiration in West African textiles.
A place for dialogue
Inside the eight-storey building, visitors have lots of room to explore and exchange thoughts about what they've seen - at least that is the idea behind its design. Now the US has a museum dedicated to African-American history and culture - but when it comes to social equality, there is still a lot to be done.