Day: August 6, 2025

As a cultural institution, museum represents a broad spectrum of human history. It can be a place of education and discovery for the general public, a site of research by scholars, or even a tool of nationalist and civic pride. Museums can range from the grand art collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the State Hermitage in St. Petersburg, or the Musee d’Orsay in Paris to Berlin’s Checkpoint Charlie and Topography of Terror or London’s Science Museum with its iconic spaceships, Stephenson’s Rocket and Wonderlab. Museums can also have very few or no artifacts but tell a powerful, memorable story or information. Examples of this include the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles or the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Despite their broad range, museums are bound by their common mission of preserving and interpreting the material evidence of the past. The word museum is derived from the Greek museion meaning “seat of the Muses.” In its Latin form, museeum, it was a name given to places of philosophical discussion or study. Museums have been around for a long time, beginning as private collections of interesting items that people wanted to share with the public.

In modern times, museums have become more focused on educating the public and sharing knowledge, but they still retain their origins in an innate human desire to collect and preserve objects. They have become an integral part of society and serve as places to explore our shared heritage.

Many major professional organizations from around the world offer different definitions of what a museum is, but most focus on the public good and care and interpretation of their collections. The International Council of Museums, or ICOM, is the organization that oversees all of this, and it has recently proposed a new working definition for museums that has caused a bit of a hubbub in the field.

It has a few glaring omissions, particularly in the area of decolonization and repatriation. But it is worth considering the context of the definition and its proposal, as well as the process leading up to it, before drawing conclusions about its validity or not.

ICOM’s working definition will be considered at their General Conference in 2022. In preparation, they have held a series of consultations to solicit feedback from their members and the wider museum community. The results of these consultations will be analyzed and incorporated into the final definition. You can read more about the new definition and its proposal here. If you are an ICOM-US member, the webinar recordings for this series are available here and for non-members here. Shannon Bent is the Director of Education and Outreach at The Jewish Museum in Manhattan and is a regular contributor to ICOM-US publications. She is an alumna of the University of Michigan and has a BA in Art History. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Museum Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. Follow her on Twitter @ShannonBent.

A birthday is a special day to celebrate life, love, and friendship. It’s also a good time to reflect on your year and make plans for the future.

Whether you’re looking for a heartfelt message or want to add a touch of humor, there is a lot that can be said in just a few words. These short birthday wishes can be used in cards, texts, or messages. They are sure to make your loved one smile!

In pagan times, birthdays were thought to be days that welcomed evil spirits. People would gather around the celebrant with candles to protect them from harm. They would sing, offer good thoughts and wishes, and give gifts to bring more joy to the person’s life. Often, noisemakers were also used to scare off the bad vibes.

The most important part of any birthday is spending time with the ones you love. Spending quality time with family and friends will create memories that last a lifetime. If you have a big group, consider doing something fun together, like an escape room or a murder mystery party. You can even make a movie or go to the movies, but don’t forget to take plenty of photos!

If you are planning a party for yourself, set up twinkly lights and watch your favorite movie or binge-watch a TV show with a couple of snacks. This is a great opportunity to try out some new recipes or get creative with the old ones. You could even try making your own cake or pie!

It is a wonderful feeling to know that you are appreciated and loved on your birthday. Make sure to thank those who have contributed to your happiness. Those who care about you will make sure that your birthday is unforgettable.

For some, birthdays can be overwhelming with responsibilities and obligations, but remember that it is your day to relax and enjoy yourself. If things don’t go exactly as you planned, it’s okay. Even if the dog eats your cake or your BFF dances on the table singing “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” it will still be a memorable night.

Treat yourself to a new look. A fresh haircut, a new outfit, or some makeup can feel like a gift to yourself on your birthday. It is also a great idea to pamper yourself by getting some spa time or a massage, or just taking a long bath and enjoying a few delicious treats. This will give you the energy and confidence you need to make the next year your best one yet!