Artifacts Tell A Part Of The Story Of September 11

Many people think of the Smithsonian Institution as a repository for antiquities, but the museum complex in Washington, DC, is intended to tell the contemporary history of our nation as well.

Photo Courtesy Of The Smithsonian Institution

In that light, it seems appropriate that TSA would be donating several items to the National September 11 Collection at the National Museum of American history. The items include one of the original TSA uniforms, a firearm carried by a Federal Air Marshal, as well as various examples of training pieces and aviation security technology.

Transportation Security Historian Michael P.C. Smith wrote on the Museum of American History blog about the genesis of TSA from the events that occurred on September 11, 2001. In its first year, Smith says, it had hired, trained, and deployed nearly 60,000 employees. It was the largest mobilization conducted by the federal government since WWII.

The items became part of the museum's collection late last week, and are on display through September 11, 2011 as part of the "September 11: Remembrance and Reflection" exhibit at the museum.

FMI: http://americanhistory.si.edu