September 17 is designated as Constitution Day to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. The drafting of the United States Constitution was a landmark event in the history of … Continue reading Global Influence of the U.S. Constitution
September is National Piano Month. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Entertainment by Dave Brubeck Quartet in the East Room during the State Dinner for President Julio Maria Sanguinetti of Uruguay, 6/17/1986. (National Archives Identifier 75854863) Many great musicians, composers, and songwriters … Continue reading Musical Archives! Celebrating National Piano Month
Today’s post comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17, 1787—the day that the majority of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention approved the document they had been working on in Philadelphia since May. But the Constitution wouldn't become the official framework … Continue reading Constitution Day: Translating the Constitution
Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. It’s not everyday that someone receives the nickname "Moses" for their work. In the 1840s, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) embarked on a mass migration across the Great Plains into … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Brigham Young
Today’s post comes from Rebecca Brenner Graham, a former 2015-2016 intern in the History Office at the National Archives in Washington, DC. Sam Anthony passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. This post was originally written in 2015 and recently edited. Sam asked we hold publication until after he was gone. Sam … Continue reading Sam Anthony Brightened NARA
Today’s post comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. During the U.S. Civil War, the manufacture of gunpowder became a serious concern for the Confederacy. While there were several powder mills located in the country, the United States had imported most of the wood ash, sulfur, and saltpeter … Continue reading Enslaved Women of the Confederate Nitre Works
Today’s post comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. During the U.S. Civil War, the Confederate Army required enslavers to loan their enslaved people to the military. Throughout the Confederacy from Florida to Virginia, these enslaved people served as cooks and laundresses, labored in deadly conditions to mine … Continue reading Confederate Slave Payrolls
Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Isaac Asimov seated on a stack of books, 1976. (Courtesy of the Library of Congress) Science fiction aficionados know the name Isaac Asimov well. Author of over 500 books and short stories, Asimov’s creations became staples … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Isaac Asimov
August 7 is National Purple Heart Day, which honors those who died or were wounded in the line of duty against an enemy. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Many of the U.S. military awards and decorations are received for service, wartime … Continue reading ‘For Wounds Received in Action’: The History of the Purple Heart Medal
Today’s post comes from Missy McNatt, Education Specialist at the National Archives in Washington, DC. I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. I was promoted from there to the washtub. Then I was promoted to the cook kitchen, and from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair … Continue reading Madam C. J. Walker’s Rags-to-Riches Story Found in the Holdings of the National Archives
