Not many would disagree that Days of our Lives has become a part of the American fabric, least of all the Smithsonian Institute, which has decided to shine a spotlight on the nearly 50-year-old soap by adding artifacts to the national entertainment collection that reflect the contributions of daytime television programming -- a move that continues an ongoing partnership with the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

DAYS stars Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) will join the show's executive producer, Greg Meng, and classic actress Tippi Hedren (The Birds) on Wednesday, November 4, for the official reveal of the memorabilia at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History on Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C.

Objects that will be on display range from show scripts and original art to set props and other memorabilia, including sets of the iconic Horton Family Christmas Ornaments and a pledge of the iconic hourglass, which has opened each episode for 50 years.

The ceremony celebrates a collecting initiative put in place last year by the museum in partnership with NATAS that aims to help the museum expand its capacity to tell the story of daytime television and the Daytime Emmy Awards.

"Everyone at NATAS is thrilled to continue our relationship with the Smithsonian and Daytime television by bringing these iconic items and stars from Days of Our Lives to the museum," said Chuck Dages, Chairman of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. "We already have plans for another very exciting Donation Ceremony next spring with some great surprises!"

The museum's television collections contain costumes, scripts, props, and set pieces including Archie Bunker's chair from All in the Family, marionettes from The Howdy Doody Show, the puffy shirt from Seinfeld, and Denis Leary's firefighter costume from Rescue Me. An exhibition exploring American culture is currently in development and will draw on the museum's television, theater, music, sports, and entertainment collections. The future exhibition is scheduled to open in late 2016.

The first Daytime Emmy Awards show was broadcast in 1974 and hosted by Barbara Walters and Peter Marshall. The Daytime Emmys represent the best of television programming in eight categories: daytime dramas, talk shows, morning programs, game shows, children's programming, legal/court shows, culinary shows, and lifestyle and travel programs -- as well as "new approaches" categories.

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational, and technical achievements within the television industry. NATAS recognizes excellence in television with the Emmy Award. For more information, visit NATAS' official website.

What do you think about the Smithsonian honoring DAYS's 50th anniversary? Which additional items from the show do you think should be on display? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, on our message boards, or by submitting Feedback.

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