Is West Virginia Constitutional?

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. On the creation of new states, the Constitution is pretty clear. Article IV, Section 3, reads that "no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State ... without the Consent of the Legislatures of … Continue reading Is West Virginia Constitutional?

Facial Hair Friday: By Request

At least three colleagues here at the National Archives and one commenter have mentioned Horace Greeley as a candidate for the spotlight here at Facial Hair Friday. And upon looking him up and letting out a strangled gasp, I had to agree that his facial hair is indeed worthy of a blog post. I'm not sure that … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: By Request

Censorship and the C*** W**

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Censorship has always been a delicate subject in American history. From John Adam's Alien and Sedition Acts to the publication of the "Government Information Manual for the Motion Picture" during World War II, national security and the freedom of speech … Continue reading Censorship and the C*** W**

What’s in your wallet?

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. During the Civil War in 1861, a nearly broke Federal Government came up with a clever way to get rich quick: print money. Prior to this the United States Treasury had never issued the paper dollars we have all come … Continue reading What’s in your wallet?

Inside the Vaults – Discovering the Civil War

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Part Two of Discovering the Civil War opens at the National Archives in Washington, DC, on November 10! Rarely seen footage of Civil War veterans, intelligence gathering with balloons, prosthetic limbs, two different Thirteenth Amendments, and the Confederate States of … Continue reading Inside the Vaults – Discovering the Civil War

A midterm referendum on Abe Lincoln

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. History tends to show that  midterm elections are never particularly good for the sitting President. In 2006, many Republicans were moved from their seats due to dissatisfaction with George Bush's policies. In 1994, Republicans swept the House as a referendum … Continue reading A midterm referendum on Abe Lincoln

Ten things you didn’t know about the Civil War

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Part two of Discovering the Civil War opens at the National Archives in Washington, DC, in just 10 days! Spies, code breaking, personality conflicts over balloons, prosthetic limbs, two different Thirteenth Amendments, and the Confederate States of Mexico are just … Continue reading Ten things you didn’t know about the Civil War

FHF: The Beard Gap

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. In the history of Presidential elections, there has never been a battle of the beards. Beards have challenged mustaches. Mustaches have challenged clean-shaven candidates. Clean-shaven candidates have challenged beards. But never in the history of our republic, have two bearded … Continue reading FHF: The Beard Gap

Before Playboy, there was Flossie

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Sixteen-year-old boys loved her. Parents of 16-year-old boys did not. Yes, long before Hugh Hefner donned his trademark smoking jacket, before Larry Flynt shocked a nation with Hustler, there was Miss Flossie Lee. In the 1890s, the Augusta, Maine, entrepreneur ran … Continue reading Before Playboy, there was Flossie

Wine, for all your expeditionary needs

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. It's been called the nectar of the gods, but it may soon be called the nectar of Starbucks. The giant coffee chain is now selling wine (and beer) in a few test stores in Seattle in an attempt to expand … Continue reading Wine, for all your expeditionary needs