Sharon Farmer was the first woman and the first African American to be named Chief White House Photographer. Farmer joined the team of four photographers at the Clinton White House in 1993, and worked as director from 1999 to 2001.The four photographers took nearly 12,000 rolls of film each year as they documented pubic and … Continue reading “What a moment in time!”
Today's post comes from Alexis Percle, archives technician at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, in honor of our upcoming National Conservation on Educational Access and Equity on March 7. Register to attend in person or watch the livestream. “As a son of a tenant farmer, I know that education is the only … Continue reading LBJ: From Teacher to President
Today’s post comes from Tom Putnam, Acting Director of the Office of Presidential Libraries. In a recent conversation with a younger colleague about Presidents Day, I mentioned that while I appreciated the three-day weekend, I missed celebrating George Washington’s actual birthday and eating cherry pie. “Cherry pie?” she asked. “Why cherry pie?” The tradition stems, … Continue reading Family Traditions and George Washington’s Birthday
While searching for images of owls in our digital catalog for #SuperbOwl (check Twitter the night of #SuperBowl!), I came across this curious photo of an owl wearing safety goggles. In the same search I found photographs of men shaking hands and showing off tiny owl lapel pins. Turns out, these are photographs of inductees to … Continue reading The Wise Owl Club
Today’s post comes from Tom Putnam, Acting Director of the Office of Presidential Libraries. The inauguration of a new President offers the nation an opportunity to witness not only the peaceful transfer of power but also the transformation of a person we've known for over a year as a candidate, and for two months as … Continue reading “Let the Word Go Forth:” A President’s First Inaugural Address
In honor of the upcoming Presidential inauguration, Washington's first inaugural address and the Bible that he used to swear his oath of office are on display. The Bible was loaned for the occasion by St. John’s Lodge No. 1, Ancient York Masons, which still owns the Bible today. Since the country’s first inauguration of George Washington … Continue reading On Exhibit: George Washington’s First Inaugural Address and Bible
Today's post comes from Jim Worsham, editor of Prologue, the quarterly magazine of the National Archives. As news emerged of the Japanese sneak attacks on Pearl Harbor and other U.S. installations in the Pacific 75 years ago, President Franklin D. Roosevelt began writing the speech he would give to Congress the next day. The news was bad, … Continue reading The Day of Infamy Speech: Well-Remembered but Still Missing
Today's post comes from Kimberlee Ried, public programs specialist at the National Archives at Kansas City. Research was provided by Michael Tarabulski, archivist at the National Archives at St. Louis. The 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is today. For those who fought in World War II, they likely had no idea … Continue reading The Last Living Doolittle Raider: Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Cole
Today's post comes from Victoria Blue, writer-editor in the Office of Internal Communications at the National Archives. When Chief of Conservation Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler retires in July, the last hands to have touched the Declaration of Independence will leave the National Archives. She has been with the agency since 1985. The Declaration of Independence was sealed … Continue reading The Last Hands to Touch the Declaration of Independence
Today’s post is by Rod Ross, a former archivist in the Center for Legislative Archives, who retired in April with 41 years of government service. His interest in this holiday began at birth–on Flag Day during World War II! Shortly after the war his family moved to Batavia, Illinois, where the Father of Flag Day, … Continue reading Flag Day, Past and Present
