The Scripps National Spelling Bee is an annual spelling bee held in the United States. The bee is run on a not-for-profit basis by The E. W. Scripps Company and is held at a hotel or convention center in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area during the week following Memorial Day weekend. Since 2011, it has been held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center hotel in National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, just outside Washington D.C. It was previously held at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington D.C. from 1996 to 2010.
The 85th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held at the Gaylord National, in Oxon Hill, Maryland from May 27 to May 31, 2012, and was broadcast live on ESPN3. The championship finals occurred on May 31, 2012.
The 1st National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. on June 17, 1925, sponsored by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard did not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The 3rd National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. on June 23, 1927, hosted by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The 6th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. on May 27, 1930. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The 9th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. on May 30, 1933, organized by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The 11th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the National Museum on May 28, 1935. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The 12th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. on May 26, 1936, at the National Museum. Scripps-Howard did not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The 16th National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. on May 28, 1940. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until the next year.
The 17th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 28, 1941. This was the first year that Scripps-Howard hosted the event.
The 20th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 29, 1947, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 22nd Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on Friday, May 27, 1949, at the auditorium of the National Press Building, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 23rd Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on Friday, May 26, 1950, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company, at the National Press Club auditorium.
The 24th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 25, 1951, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company, at the National Press Club.
The 25th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 22, 1952, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 28th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on May 19, 1955, with the final rounds at the Department of Commerce auditorium, and was sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 29th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held at the Department of Commerce auditorium in Washington, District of Columbia on May 17, 1956, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 37th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel, on June 3–4, 1964, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 70th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. on May 28–29, 1997, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 47th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel on June 5–6, 1974, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
