This June the National Archives is commemorating National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month, which honors the important contributions that LGBTQ+ Americans have made to U.S. history and culture. Visit our website for more information. Today’s post is from Jen Hivick at the National Personnel Records Center, and looks at civil rights activist … Continue reading Harvey Milk: Veteran
Category: Armed Forces
National Personnel Records Center Fire Series: Origins
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the devastating fire at the National Personnel Records Center, we're featuring a three-part series. Today’s post comes from Jen Hivick, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. July 12, 1973, has loomed large in the history of the National Archives. That day, shortly … Continue reading National Personnel Records Center Fire Series: Origins
Facial Hair Friday: Who is Alex Trebek?
The subject of today’s Facial Hair Friday is the longtime and beloved host of the trivia game show Jeopardy!—Alex Trebek. In 2001 he shocked his viewers by shaving off the mustache he wore for his first 17 years on the show. While Alex Trebek is most known for hosting the award-winning trivia show Jeopardy!, he … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Who is Alex Trebek?
Historic Staff Spotlight: John Mendelsohn
We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout history. Today’s staff spotlight is on John Mendelsohn, who was the National Archives expert on records related to the Holocaust and the Nuremberg Trials. Archivist John Mendelsohn displaying a page in one volume of the 39-volume set of … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: John Mendelsohn
Top Ten of 2022
As we say goodbye to 2022, we’re taking a look at the most popular posts of the year. We would like to thank the National Archives staff who have worked so hard this past year to Make Access Happen through their numerous contributions. 10. In 10th place comes a post for Constitution Day—Drafting the U.S. … Continue reading Top Ten of 2022
End of an Era: The National Defense Service Medal
Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. The awards system of the United States Armed Forces is complex with a plethora of awards. They range from awards given for acts of valor to those given for blanket participation in the service branches. … Continue reading End of an Era: The National Defense Service Medal
Fall In! Morning Reports with the National Archives
Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. Information is vital in warfare, whether it’s the latest intelligence on enemy movements or orders transferring materials and weapons. Reports relay the necessary information for soldiers, NCOs, officers, and generals, helping them to make … Continue reading Fall In! Morning Reports with the National Archives
Contact, Brawls, and Chambering: The Combat Action Ribbon
Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. Not all service members in the United States Armed Forces serve in combat. In fact, fewer than 15 percent of enlisted personnel ever see combat or are assigned a combat role. How can one … Continue reading Contact, Brawls, and Chambering: The Combat Action Ribbon
Valor from Abroad: Foreign Awards in the U.S. Armed Forces
Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The U.S. Armed Forces have been deployed all over the world, serving in conjunction with foreign militaries carrying out operations for a host of reasons: combating insurgency and enemy regimes, humanitarian relief, and joint training exercises, … Continue reading Valor from Abroad: Foreign Awards in the U.S. Armed Forces
Protecting Human Welfare: The Humanitarian Service Medal
Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. It is part of a series on records at the National Personnel Records Center. Humanitarian Service Medal. (U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry) On June 30, 2020, the Department of Defense issued a memorandum authorizing all military … Continue reading Protecting Human Welfare: The Humanitarian Service Medal