R.S. § 5590 derived from acts Aug. 10, 1846, ch. 178, § 2, 9 Stat. 102; Feb. 5, 1867, ch. 34, § 2, 14 Stat. 391.

1982—Pub. L. 97–199 substituted “and invested in public debt securities with maturities requested by the Smithsonian Institution bearing interest at rates determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, based upon current market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable maturities, and this interest is hereby” for “, at 6 per centum per annum interest; and 6 per centum interest on the trust-fund and residuary legacy received into the United States Treasury, payable in half-yearly payments, on the first of January and July in each year, is”, substituted “purposes of the Institution” for “purposes of the institution”, and substituted “are hereby pledged” for “are pledged”.

Pub. L. 97–199, § 2, June 22, 1982, 96 Stat. 121, provided that: “The amendment made by the first section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1982.”