WASHINGTON — In an afternoon's walk through ground zero of Americana — the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History — objects around every corner invite one question: What could possibly be more American than this?

What You Need To Know

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington explores the complexity of America's past

Objects like the Star-Spangled Banner and Dorothy's ruby slippers share space with artifacts such as the shackles representing slavery and photos of Japanese-American detention camps

The museum's mission is to present a nuanced view of history

resident Donald Trump wants a simpler narrative focused on American pride and achievement, and he's threatened to withhold money if changes aren't made

There's the enormous Star-Spangled Banner

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