Search Results for: african american

Facial Hair Friday: Joseph Rainey the first African American in the House

by Jessie Kratz, posted in - Civil War, Black History Month, Facial Hair Fridays, U.S. House

  Joseph Rainey was distinguished in many ways—he was the first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, the first African American to preside over the House of Representatives, and the longest–serving African American during Reconstruction. He also had pretty nice mutton chops. Rainey was born into slavery in 1832 in Georgetown, … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Joseph Rainey the first African American in the House

African American History at the National Archives

by Jessie Kratz, posted in National Archives History

February is African American History Month! Visit the National Archives website to learn more about our many events and activities celebrating African American History. In the late 1960s the National Archives began hosting conferences for researchers and scholars. These were held on a variety of subjects, but all related to records held by the institution. The … Continue reading African American History at the National Archives

Poets for Every Age: American Poets and Writers

by Jessie Kratz, posted in Uncategorized

April is National Poetry Month, which celebrates the importance of poets and poetry. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The United States has a rich literary history with some of the most prolific poets of the 19th and 20th centuries. Their writings … Continue reading Poets for Every Age: American Poets and Writers

Asian/Pacific American History: Learning our Legacy

by Jessie Kratz, posted in Uncategorized

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Visit the National Archives website to learn more about related records and resources. APA Heritage Month is an opportunity to…contribute to the wider understanding of what it means to be an American. – Alex Villaseran, archives technician and APA Unity co-chair Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was … Continue reading Asian/Pacific American History: Learning our Legacy

“Forgotten Soldier” at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

by Jessie Kratz, posted in Uncategorized

The exhibition Forgotten Soldier at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Virginia features the “Inspection Roll of Negroes” from the holdings of the National Archives. Today’s post comes from Jim Zeender, senior registrar in the National Archives Exhibits Office. Mary Perth, Boston King, Moses Wilkinson, David George, and Harry Washington were among the thousands of … Continue reading “Forgotten Soldier” at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

Caribbean American Heritage Month: Marcus Garvey

by Jessie Kratz, posted in Uncategorized

June is Caribbean American Heritage Month. Visit the National Archives website for more information on related holdings. Today’s post comes from Vincent Bartholomew from the National Archives History Office. Marcus Garvey envisioned a Pan-African and Black Nationalist movement and used the Black Star Line, a shipping corporation, to unite Africans in the U.S. and the … Continue reading Caribbean American Heritage Month: Marcus Garvey

Facial Hair Friday: Carlton Chapman and the Ultimate Sacrifice

by Jessie Kratz, posted in - World War II, Black History Month, Facial Hair Fridays, Military Records

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. The 761st Tank Battalion was … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Carlton Chapman and the Ultimate Sacrifice

Historic Staff Spotlight: Lucille Joppy

by Jessie Kratz, posted in Military Records, National Archives History

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

by Jessie Kratz, posted in - World War II, Black History Month

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

by Jessie Kratz, posted in Black History Month

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