The First to Fight: The 11th Engineers in the Battle of Cambrai

Today’s post comes from Austin McManus with the National Archives History Office. The United States, following the tradition of neutrality established by President George Washington and maintained over the decades, remained uninvolved as Europe became embroiled in World War I in 1914. American public attitude toward neutrality began to change after Germany’s policy of unrestricted … Continue reading The First to Fight: The 11th Engineers in the Battle of Cambrai

Vietnam and the Women Who Served

In honor of Veterans Day, today’s post comes from Bailey Martin, an intern in the National Archives History Office. Visit our website for more information on our resources related to veterans. As we open the new Vietnam exhibit at the National Archives, we also mark the anniversary of important milestones for women in the U.S. … Continue reading Vietnam and the Women Who Served

Beyond the Hindenburg: Airships Throughout History

October is American Archives Month! We’re celebrating the work of archivists and the importance of archives with a series of blog posts highlighting our “Archives Across America.” Today’s post comes from Alex Champion, archivist at the National Archives in College Park, MD. The dramatic, fiery fate of the German rigid airship LZ-129, the Hindenburg, in … Continue reading Beyond the Hindenburg: Airships Throughout History

New in our Catalog: Famous Faces in the Military

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

World War I: Now in HD

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

The Lost Battalion of World War I

Today’s post comes from Garet Anderson-Lind, an intern with the National Archives History Office. As we commemorate the 100-year anniversary of World War I, let's take a look at the heroic actions of a particular group of American forces during the Great War: the courageous soldiers of the “Lost Battalion” and their actions during the … Continue reading The Lost Battalion of World War I

Where were our World War II leaders during World War I?

Today’s post comes from Jim Worsham, editor of Prologue, the quarterly magazine of the National Archives. As the nation began assembling its troops to fight World War I in Europe, Capt.  Dwight D. Eisenhower desperately wanted a combat assignment. And “Ike” never passed up an opportunity to put in for one, even being reprimanded for … Continue reading Where were our World War II leaders during World War I?

Defining a Spy: the Espionage Act

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.  On June 15, 1917, just two months after the United States entered World War I, Congress adopted the Espionage Act. The act, … Continue reading Defining a Spy: the Espionage Act

Happy Mother’s Day!

Every year I struggle with how I can show appreciation for my mom on Mother’s Day. This year I'm going retro and “making” my mom a gift by highlighting some of the National Archives holdings that relate to Mother’s Day. Although it was celebrated in several states for years, the first time Mother’s Day became … Continue reading Happy Mother’s Day!

The origins of America’s Unlucky Lottery

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.  The draft—the lottery no one wants to win. On April 6, 1917, the United States formally joined World War I, which … Continue reading The origins of America’s Unlucky Lottery