Mind the (Gender) Gap

Today's post comes from Gregory Marose, an intern in the National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications. If you are under the age of 30, you might think that former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was the first woman to run for Vice President on a major party ticket. But a generation earlier, New York Congresswoman … Continue reading Mind the (Gender) Gap

Potatriots: The original Freedom Fries

These Iowa spuds were decades ahead of the "Freedom Fries" idea! To help the war effort during First World War, U.S. citizens were encouraged to eat more potatoes while wheat was being sent to the soldiers overseas. This World War I store window display showed potatoes dressed as soldiers, encouraging both children and adults to … Continue reading Potatriots: The original Freedom Fries

The Beginning of the End: MacArthur in Korea

Today's post comes from Gregory Marose, an intern in the National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications. It was 61 years ago today that General Douglas MacArthur was named commander of United Nations forces in Korea. The final command in an illustrious career, MacArthur’s tenure in Korea led to a controversial feud with President Harry … Continue reading The Beginning of the End: MacArthur in Korea

Thursday Photo Caption Contest

What can you say about a man, his accordion, a clock, and a bottle? We went to guest judge and social media coordinator Jeannie Chen, who once featured a infant President Ford holding a tiny accordion on the Presidential Libraries tumblr blog. Congratulations to Mickey! Your caption won Jeannie's heart and got that Croce tune stuck in … Continue reading Thursday Photo Caption Contest

What’s Cooking Wednesdays: Crimes against butter

The Federal Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, has housed some famous and infamous inmates, such as “Birdman of Alcatraz” Robert Stroud and Machine Gun Kelly. In the early 20th century, the prison took in some less likely felons—violators of the Oleomargarine Act of 1886. How did trafficking in this popular butter substitute become a Federal offense? … Continue reading What’s Cooking Wednesdays: Crimes against butter

Facial Hair Friday: Make a date with Uncle Sam

Perhaps the most famous goatee in all of America belongs to Uncle Sam, the white-haired patriot who appeared in political cartoons in the late 1890s, on recruitment posters in both World Wars, and continues to appear on all kinds of products today. And while facial hair fashions have changed drastically through the years since the … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Make a date with Uncle Sam