Smithsonian Welcomes New Citizens, Honors Jeff Bezos at Flag Day Ceremony (photos)

In conjunction with a naturalization ceremony held June 14, Flag Day, at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian Institution presented the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal to Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, owner of the Washington Post and founder of Blue Origin. During the naturalization ceremony, which took place in the museum’s Flag Hall, 20 candidates became U.S. citizens. Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas administered the Oath of Allegiance and made congratulatory remarks.

The event was hosted by Dr. David Skorton, secretary of the Smithsonian; John Gray, director of the National Museum of American History; and Leon Rodriguez, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal recognizes Bezos’s achievements as an entrepreneur, business leader and visionary and his dedication to supporting the free press.

View our photos of the ceremony at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History by clicking on the photo icons below.