Skip to main content
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image for event: What Makes People Laugh

Registration now closed

What Makes People Laugh

Provided by The National Museum of Language

2025-09-13 14:00:00 2025-09-13 16:00:00 America/New_York What Makes People Laugh Make laughter the center of this Welcoming Week celebration. The Linda Mitchell Thompson and Laura Murray from the National Museum of Language brings to you "What Makes People Laugh". An exploration of international humor, including a presentation with examples of jokes from multiple countries and languages around the world. Beltsville - Large Meeting Room

Saturday, September 13
2:00pm - 4:00pm

Beltsville

Large Meeting Room

Make laughter the center of this Welcoming Week celebration. The Linda Mitchell Thompson and Laura Murray from the National Museum of Language brings to you "What Makes People Laugh". An exploration of international humor, including a presentation with examples of jokes from multiple countries and languages around the world.

About the Language Museum

The National Museum of Language honors and supports language acquisition, utilization and preservation, along with linguistic and cultural diversity. Through outreach activities and online resources, they celebrate the magic and beauty of human communication.

About Linda Mitchell Thompson
Linda Mitchell Thompson is the Chief Artist-in-Residence and a Trustee at the National Museum of Language, where she brings ancient languages to life through vibrant, humor-infused illustration. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in Classical Languages and Literature, a minor in Old and Middle English, and a teaching career spanning two decades in Latin and Spanish. 

About Laura Murray

Dr. Murray is the current President of the NML. She earned a BA in Anthropology from Rice University, Houston, TX, and a Ph.D. in Oriental Studies, specializing in Modern Chinese History, from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Her career (National Security Agency) spanned language-focused assignments in the U.S. and overseas.

About Welcoming Week

Welcoming Week is a national effort which connects neighbors of all backgrounds through fun and engaging activities. This year's theme is Stories We Share aims to foster a sense of belonging and community-wide connection. View our past Welcoming Week library events here (ranging from storytime, teen, button making programs as well as library displays and more).

AGE GROUP: | Teen (13-18 yrs) | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Event |

TAGS: | welcoming week |

Beltsville

Phone: 301-937-0294
Branch manager
Karin Luoma, North Area Director

Hours
Skip Opening Hours widget
Mon, Oct 19 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Tue, Oct 20 12:00PM to 8:00PM
Wed, Oct 21 12:00PM to 8:00PM
Thu, Oct 22 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Oct 23 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 24 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Oct 25 1:00PM to 5:00PM
Mon, Oct 19 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Tue, Oct 20 12:00PM to 8:00PM
Wed, Oct 21 12:00PM to 8:00PM
Thu, Oct 22 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Oct 23 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 24 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Oct 25 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Dial 7-1-1 to place a call through Maryland Relay

Upcoming events

Skip Upcoming Widgets - Event page widget
Sat, Oct 24, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Large Meeting Room

Mon, Oct 26, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room

Tue, Oct 27, 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Large Meeting Room

Wed, Oct 28, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room

Wed, Oct 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Large Meeting Room

Thu, Oct 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room

Wed, Nov 04, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room

Wed, Nov 04, 5:45pm - 7:45pm
LifeLab
This event is full

Wed, Nov 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Large Meeting Room

Thu, Nov 05, 10:30am - 11:30am
Large Meeting Room

Mon, Nov 09, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room

Mon, Nov 09, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Program Room

Tue, Nov 10, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Large Meeting Room

Thu, Nov 12, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room

Sat, Nov 14, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Nov 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Program Room

Wed, Nov 18, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room

Wed, Nov 18, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Large Meeting Room

Thu, Nov 19, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room

Thu, Nov 19, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Large Meeting Room

Fri, Nov 20, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Mon, Nov 23, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room