September 17 is designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787! Today’s post comes from Rebecca Watford from the National Archives History Office. As the keeper of the U.S. Constitution, the National Archives has a long tradition of celebrating Constitution Day. … Continue reading Constitution Day through the years
It’s National Hispanic Heritage Month! Visit our web page for resources on related records and how we are commemorating the month. Today’s post comes from Kathleen Brown, an archivist in the Textual Processing unit at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. She is also co-chair of the Hispanic and Latino Organization (HALO) Employee Affinity … Continue reading Hispanic and Latino Organization (HALO) at the National Archives
Dear Federal Colleagues—on Constitution Day we here at the National Archives are happily tasked with promoting the United States Constitution . . . and you are too! Why? Because of an act of Congress that was the brainchild of Senator Robert C. Byrd (1917–2010). Senator Byrd loved the Constitution. He studied it in college. He … Continue reading A Constitution Day reminder
Today’s post comes from Austin McManus with the National Archives History Office. Come see our traveling exhibition, "Amending America: The Bill of Rights," at George Mason's Gunston Hall through October 21, 2017. One of the documents on display in the Rotunda in the National Archives is the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the … Continue reading George Mason and the origins of the Bill of Rights
Today’s post comes from Christine Blackerby, archives specialist in the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives in Washington, DC. She is also co-curator of the exhibit “Amending America.” More than 11,000 constitutional amendments have been introduced in Congress since the Constitution was written in 1787. What most of these proposals have in common, … Continue reading Last chance to see Amending America
Today’s blog post comes from Lily Tyndall in the National Archives History Office. Hawaii’s journey to statehood was long and difficult. For centuries the islands of Hawaii were ruled by warring factions. In 1810, King Kamehameha unified all of the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom. During the 19th Century, Western influence grew and by … Continue reading Hawaii’s long road to statehood
Today's post comes from Riley Lindheimer from the National Archives Public and Media Communications Office. On August 21, the continental United States will experience the first total solar eclipse in 38 years, a celestial phenomenon that has inspired awe in viewers around the world for centuries. In anticipation of the event, the National Archives is sharing … Continue reading Total Eclipse of the Sun
Today's post comes from Marie Taylor, Preservation Technician with Preservation Programs at the National Archives. Have you ever wondered what Elvis did during his time in the military? How about Humphrey Bogart, Sammy Davis Jr., or even legendary boxer Joe Louis? Many people forget or simply don’t know that these famous individuals served in our … Continue reading New in our Catalog: Famous Faces in the Military
In 1878 Senator Aaron A. Sargent introduced into Congress a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote. On June 4, 1919, after 40 years—and much effort and debate—Congress passed, by a two-thirds vote of both houses, that proposed amendment. It was then up to the states to ratify it. Many states … Continue reading Putting the “Rat” in Ratification: Tennessee’s role in the 19th amendment
Today’s post comes from Sonia Kahn in the National Archives History Office. Visit the National Archives website for a full list of events and activities related to the 100th anniversary of World War I. It is almost eerie to watch the silent black-and-white footage, panning over the rubble remaining from small villages of France and Belgium, … Continue reading World War I: Now in HD
