The Scripps National Spelling Bee, a hallmark of American culture, is taking place this week in Washington, D.C., at Constitution Hall. The competition, which has been held since 1925, features 247 young spellers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several countries including Canada and Nigeria. This year’s event is notable for the inclusion of Mina Kimes, a well-known ESPN NFL analyst, as the host. The bee consists of preliminary rounds, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, with the champion receiving a custom trophy and over $52,500 in cash and prizes. Viewers can watch the event through various Scripps-owned platforms including ION and spellingbee.com. The competition has a rich history, having been canceled during World War II and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, many past champions have been of Indian heritage, underscoring the diverse talent in this year’s lineup.