Registration for the National Humanities Alliance’s 2011 Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day opened this week. This yearly event is a great way to advocate for the humanities to Congress.  Speaking of advocating, we also point to an article by Antony Beevor, who argues for the importance of history in the classroom. Then, find a number of museum-related articles: a recent report proposed that the Smithsonian’s institutions start charging admission (and the Smithsonian responded), the National Archives holds a Civil War symposium this Saturday, and the Smithsonian’s Collections Search Center releases a video tutorial. Then, check out a blog devoted to Bing map mashups, Facebook now allows you to archive your data, Apple releases (for free) streaming video of The Beatles’ February 11, 1964 concert in D.C., and Wired takes a look at an 1,800 year old multi-tool.

News

• NHA’s 2011 Annual Meeting & Humanities Advocacy Day
  Registration has opened for the National Humanities Alliance’s 2011 Annual Meeting & Humanities Advocacy Day, March 7-8, 2011 in D.C.  “Scholars, higher education and association leaders, and policy makers will convene for an annual conversation on the state of the humanities and to make their voices heard on the Hill.”
• Antony Beevor in defence of history
  Antony Beevor argues for the importance of studying history in schools, saying it “gives children a vital understanding of their place in the world.”

Museums

• Could the Smithsonian No Longer Be Free?
  The bipartisan deficit commission of the Obama administration released a report last week suggesting ways to decrease the deficit. One of the suggestions to reduce funding for the Smithsonian and the National Park Service, and have the Smithsonian start charging admission to its 19 museums and the National Zoo. The Smithsonian quickly released a response.
• National Archives to Hold Civil War Symposium Nov. 20
  The National Archives hosts The Civil War: Fresh Perspectives, a day-long symposium (9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) this Saturday, November 20th,  in recognition of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. There will be three panel discussions and remarks by Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero and President of the University of Richmond Edward Ayers. Registration is $50.
• Collections Search Center Tutorial
  We recently took a closer look at the Smithsonian Institution Collections Search Center. Now you can learn how better to use the search site through this video tutorial.

More

• Digital Keys for Unlocking the Humanities’ Riches
  Patricia Cohen’s New York Times article, which we noted on the blog yesterday, considers digital history.
• Bing Maps Watch
  An unofficial Bing Maps blog presents cool mashups that Bing Maps, including local school info, The Battle of Britain, TimeMap Berlin, and more.
• Archiving Your Facebook Data
  Historians and archivists alike may be interested in a new Facebook feature that allows you to “download a copy of everything they had ever uploaded to Facebook.”

Fun

• The Beatles: Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964
  Apple has made The Beatles’ entire February 11, 1964 concert in Washington, D.C. free to stream online. Hat tip.
• 1,800-Year-Old Roman Multitool
  Wired magazine looks at the Roman’s take on the Swiss Army Knife.

Contributors: Elisabeth Grant and Robert B. Townsend

This post first appeared on AHA Today.