The amount of mustaches, beards, chops, side burns, soul patches, and even the occasional neck beard at the National Archives requires its own category. This is it.
Yesterday was Veterans Day, and many of my friends on Facebook posted tributes to their family and friends, usually mentioning their grandfathers who fought in World War II. Now, World War II was over 60 years ago, but I personally know WWII vets—my own grandfather and great-uncle. And my father knew family members who were … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Civil War Beards on Film
At least three colleagues here at the National Archives and one commenter have mentioned Horace Greeley as a candidate for the spotlight here at Facial Hair Friday. And upon looking him up and letting out a strangled gasp, I had to agree that his facial hair is indeed worthy of a blog post. I'm not sure that … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: By Request
Here at Pieces of History, we've been watching the World Series just for the beard. Brian Wilson's beard, that is. Who can keep track of RBIs or batting averages when there is a pitcher who has earned himself the nickname "the Intimidator" by growing a full beard and then dyeing it? When Ken Burns (who is … Continue reading Fear the Beard!
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. In the history of Presidential elections, there has never been a battle of the beards. Beards have challenged mustaches. Mustaches have challenged clean-shaven candidates. Clean-shaven candidates have challenged beards. But never in the history of our republic, have two bearded … Continue reading FHF: The Beard Gap
Have you looked at your money lately? Among the nickels and quarters and dimes, only the copper penny has a bearded profile. But although Lincoln's facial hair eventually became an iconic part of his image, he originally ran for President as a clean-shaven candidate. … Continue reading Would you elect these whiskers?
Long before the push to make high-speed Internet available across America, Samuel Morse was tap-tap-tapping information across America. By 1838, his telegraph machine was using a dot-and-dash system to send messages of up to 10 words a minute. He even convinced Congress to come to up with $30,000 to help him wire America. Morse was … Continue reading Before there was broadband, there was a beard
When you think of Samuel Clemens, do you think of the celebrated jumping frog of Calaveras County? His house in Conneticut? A yankee in King Arthur's court? Or do you think of his full, bushy mustache? As a child growing up in New England, I felt more familiar with the world of Lousia May Alcott … Continue reading The Mustache: Future of the South?
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. There was heated debate in the press room today as we struggled to marry our dedication to Facial Hair Friday and our latest "Inside the Vaults" video. Fortunately for us, Jon White, one of the film's featured Citizen-Archivists, just … Continue reading Citizen Archivists and the bearded miner
Americans love Paris. They even ended the Revolutionary War by writing and signing the Treaty of Paris in that city on September 3, 1783. War brought other Americans to Paris. Almost 150 years later, it was home to Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, James Joyce, and Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway's experience in Paris was colored by war. He arrived … Continue reading Hemingway, JFK! What else do I have to say?!
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August 28, 1963. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at center. (542015 / 306-SSM-4C(51)15)This Saturday marks the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I have a dream" speech. I was looking through ARC at the pictures of how many people participated, when I … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: In honor of MLK
