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 Washington, D.C. 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. Current and past Executive Directors of the Spelling Bee, Paige Kimble and Reta Rose have helped to widely popularize the Spelling Bee during their respective and lengthy tenures at the bee.
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 7th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. on May 27, 1931. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
The 10th National Spelling Bee was held at the National Museum in Washington, D.C. on May 29, 1934. Scripps-Howard would not sponsor the Bee until 1941.
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 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 30th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on June 7, 1957, by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 31st Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, District of Columbia on June 11–12, 1958, by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 62nd annual Scripps National Spelling Bee was held on May 31 – June 1, 1989. in Washington, D.C.
The 36th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on June 12–13, 1963, 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 67th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. on June 1–2, 1994, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 40th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel on June 7–8, 1967, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 43rd Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel on June 3–4, 1970, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 53rd Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 28–29, 1980, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 54th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on June 3–4, 1981, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The 59th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 28–29, 1986, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.
