Today's guest post comes from David Coleman, associate professor at the University of Virginia and Chair of the Presidential Recordings Program at the Miller Center of Public Affairs. On April 28, W.W. Norton will publish volumes 7 and 8 in the Miller Center's Presidential Recordings of Lyndon B. Johnson series. (The original tapes are in … Continue reading Pennsylvania Avenue Hotline
Today's an eggs-ellent day in Washington, DC, for young people! It's the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, where hundreds of children gather to roll eggs and play games on the South Lawn of the President's House. But the tradition did not start at the White House. It began on the lawns and terraces of the … Continue reading An Egg-centric White House Tradition
There's something appealing about this pensive photograph of Ulysses S. Grant, from his somber clothes to his wistful gaze. He doesn't seem like someone who saw some of the bloodiest fighting at Shiloh. Unlike many of our other featured Facial Hairs of the Civil War era, Grant's beard is not a runaway avalanche of hair, nor is it … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Shiloh and Sideburns
Although we were greatly amused by the suggestions of dam building, weather predictions, and rodent chili recipes, we eventually decided on Amy's caption, which combined the history of the Cilivian Conservation Corps with the Depression and managed to be funny! Amy, check your email for your code for 15% off in our eStore! So...are these … Continue reading Thursday Photo Caption Contest
On April 20, 1961, exactly three months after his inauguration, President John F. Kennedy addressed the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) regarding the Bay of Pigs invasion. In his speech, Kennedy addressed one of the most crucial decisions of his presidency—his choice not to provide air cover for the 1,400 men of the Cuban … Continue reading JFK’s Cold War Calculations
Today is Emancipation Day for the District of Columbia. Some of you might immediately wonder if this is related to DC's current efforts to win representation and a vote, but it is a celebration for a different kind of freedom for the residents of DC. Eight and a half months before he signed the Emancipation … Continue reading Emancipation for DC
Congratulations to Holly! Our guest judge was archivist Joan Gearin, who thought your caption did add up. Check your email for your discount code to the eStore. (We should note that Joan is the author of the most popular Prologue article ever written. Every time The Sound of Music is aired on television, "The Real … Continue reading Thursday Photo Caption Contest
On April 12, 1955, a vaccine against polio was declared safe and effective. Jonas E. Salk's great discovery was too late for President Franklin Roosevelt, who had contracted polio in 1921, at age 39, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. But the President, who died in 1945, had been instrumental in funding research that eventually led … Continue reading The dimes that saved lives
Only 9 days left until the seventh annual Genealogy Fair! The fair is free and open to the public, and will take place at the National Archives building in Washington, DC. The Archivist will cut the ribbon at 9 a.m. on April 20 to open the fair. Need an introduction to genealogy? There's a session … Continue reading Get ready for the Genealogy Fair!
Congratulations to Marene! Our guest judge Marvin Pinkert, director of the National Archives Experience, felt that your caption best wrapped up the directives of Open Government. Check your email for the code to receive 15% off a purchase at the eStore. And in the spirit of transparency, we will reveal to you the actual meaning … Continue reading Thursday Photo Caption Contest
