Ceremonial First Pitches

President William Howard Taft was the first U.S. President to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. As baseball's Opening Day nears, we are sharing images from the National Archives of past Presidents, First Ladies—and even a government mascot—and ceremonial pitches. Every U.S. President from William Howard Taft to John F. Kennedy threw … Continue reading Ceremonial First Pitches

On the Basis of Sex: Equal Credit Opportunities

March is Women’s History Month. Visit the National Archives website for resources and virtual events related to women’s history. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. Today in the United States, anyone above the age of 18 can apply for a credit card or a loan and be considered solely … Continue reading On the Basis of Sex: Equal Credit Opportunities

Historic Staff Spotlight: Kathryn M. Murphy

March is Women’s History Month, and we are marking the occasion with a series on our social media channels that focuses on the achievements of women who have worked at the National Archives over the years. Throughout March these stories will be shared via social media using the hashtag #WomenOfRecord, and you can follow along … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Kathryn M. Murphy

On the Basis of Sex: Equal Pay

March is Women’s History Month. Visit the National Archives website for resources and virtual events related to women’s history. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. During World War II, when a large numbers of men went off to war, a labor shortage ensued, which women quickly filled. By 1945, … Continue reading On the Basis of Sex: Equal Pay

The National Archives Recorded Music Association 

This month’s hashtag party is all about music—from instruments to marching bands, from R&B singers to orchestra leaders, from record players to boomboxes, let’s make a beautiful noise together. Join the conversation Friday, March 3, 2023, on Instagram and Twitter by using #ArchivesHashtagParty and #ArchivesMusic! During World War II, as part of an effort to … Continue reading The National Archives Recorded Music Association 

Facial Hair Friday: Carlton Chapman and the Ultimate Sacrifice

Carlton Chapman was born in Pembroke, a small town in Southwestern Virginia, in 1912. He was working for the Norfolk and Western Railway when the United States entered World War II. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a machine gunner with the 761st Tank Battalion. "Cpl. Carlton Chapman...is a machine-gunner … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Carlton Chapman and the Ultimate Sacrifice

Historic Staff Spotlight: Lucille Joppy

We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout its history. Today’s staff spotlight is Lucille Joppy, who served as president of the union that represented National Archives employees in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Lucille B. Joppy (née Lucille Briscoe), was born in Washington, DC, on … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Lucille Joppy

Dr. Charles Drew: A Pioneer in Blood Transfusions

February is Black History Month. Visit the National Archives website for more information on our resources related to African American History. Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904–April 1, 1950) was an American surgeon, educator, and pioneering medical researcher on blood transfusions. He discovered that plasma had a longer shelf life than blood and could be separated to … Continue reading Dr. Charles Drew: A Pioneer in Blood Transfusions

Marjorie S. Joyner: More Than an Inventor

In celebration of Black History Month, we’re looking at how Black designers have shaped our world—from architecture to fashion to illustration to web design to inventions, we’re celebrating great design by Black creatives. Join the conversation Friday, February 3, 2022, on Instagram and Twitter by using #ArchivesHashtagParty and #ArchivesBlackDesign. Today's post from Jen Johnson, a … Continue reading Marjorie S. Joyner: More Than an Inventor

Facial Hair Friday: Bushy Beard and Shark’s Teeth

In this Facial Hair Friday photo, Coast Guardsman Kent C. Pompella displays both a bushy beard and shark teeth earrings. His is just one of the many beards featured in a series of Coast Guardsmen at Work in the Records of the U.S. Coast Guard that have been digitized and made available in the National … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Bushy Beard and Shark’s Teeth