Human Smithsonian Sunburst 1

Standing in the shape of the Smithsonian Institution sunburst, close to 4,000 Smithsonian staff, interns, fellows and volunteers gathered on the National Mall in front of the Smithsonian Castle on Thursday, July 1, for this group portrait. This was the first-ever attempt to gather the employees and others for a group shot in the Smithsonian’s 164-year history and was the largest gathering of Smithsonian employees, fellows, interns, volunteers and retirees to date. The photo was organized by the Smithsonian Community Committee and was taken during the Smithsonian Staff Picnic, held annually on the National Mall.