Facial Hair Friday: Bushy Beard and Shark’s Teeth

In this Facial Hair Friday photo, Coast Guardsman Kent C. Pompella displays both a bushy beard and shark teeth earrings. His is just one of the many beards featured in a series of Coast Guardsmen at Work in the Records of the U.S. Coast Guard that have been digitized and made available in the National … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Bushy Beard and Shark’s Teeth

Personal Surprises of History

Today’s post from David Smollar is a follow-up piece to his 2015 Prologue article, "Hard, Bitter, Unpleasantly Necessary Duty: A Little-Known World War II Story of the Philippines." David is a history tutor and retired Los Angeles Times journalist.  My graduate school adviser at UCLA likened a quest into the past to an explorer’s dig … Continue reading Personal Surprises of History

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

Navajo Code Talker: Adolph Nagurski

November 11 is Veterans Day. Visit the National Archives website for more information on related events and resources. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. The Navajo code talkers were pivotal U.S. Marines in the Pacific Theater of World War II, … Continue reading Navajo Code Talker: Adolph Nagurski

Private Charles Samuel Addams: Creator of the Addams Family

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s creepy and he’s cooky, mysterious and spooky, he’s altogether ooky, he’s Charles Samuel Addams. Charles Addams for Look magazine, 1952. (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress) A noted cartoonist and artist whose … Continue reading Private Charles Samuel Addams: Creator of the Addams Family

Making Tomorrow Better: International Peace Month

For International Peace Month, we’re looking at significant turning points toward a more peaceful world highlighted by the records of 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.  “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in … Continue reading Making Tomorrow Better: International Peace Month

Facial Hair Friday: Salvador Dalí

Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office and features the man with on of the most iconic mustaches in history: Salvador Dalí. Salvador Dalí is renowned for his influential Surrealist art, most famously his oil on canvas The Persistence of Memory, now at the Museum of Modern Art in New … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Salvador Dalí

Practicing for the U.S. Presidency: Dwight Eisenhower and Columbia University

Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1946. (National Archives Identifier 6641432) Dwight D. Eisenhower is most known for his role as commanding general during World War II and as the 34th President of the United States. As President from 1953 to 1961, Eisenhower oversaw some … Continue reading Practicing for the U.S. Presidency: Dwight Eisenhower and Columbia University

Historic Staff Spotlight: Josef C. James

We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout history. Today’s staff spotlight is on Josef C. James, the first African American Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. Josef C. James, 11/15/1971. (National Archives Identifier 35809790) Josef C. James—his friends called him JC—was born in … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Josef C. James

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