Top 10 of 2023

As we say hello to 2024, we’re taking a look at the most popular posts of 2023. Thank you to the National Archives staff who helped us share our love of history throughout the year! 10. As a big shout-out to our nurses who have had it especially hard these past few years, Jen Hivick’s … Continue reading Top 10 of 2023

Constitution Day: Remembering Our Responsibilities and Opportunities as Citizens

September 17 is Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Visit the National Archives website for resources related to the Constitution and its special day. The national celebration of Constitution Day traces back to 1940, when Congress passed a resolution authorizing the President to issue an annual … Continue reading Constitution Day: Remembering Our Responsibilities and Opportunities as Citizens

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

Drafting the U.S. Constitution

September 17 is designated as Constitution Day to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. The National Archives is the home to the original, engrossed Constitution of the United States, which is displayed in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. But that isn’t the only version of the … Continue reading Drafting the U.S. Constitution

The 1790 Census and the First Veto

On April 1, 2022, the National Archives released the 1950 Census. For more information and to view the census, visit the National Archives website. The U.S. Constitution requires that an enumeration be taken every 10 years to determine the size of the House of Representatives. The Constitution originally designated 65 members in the House but … Continue reading The 1790 Census and the First Veto

The Long S

Bill of Rights Day is December 15. Visit the National Archives website for more information. Today’s post comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD. One of the most frequent questions visitors to the National Archives Rotunda have about the Bill of Rights is why is the word Congress … Continue reading The Long S

Global Influence of the U.S. Constitution

September 17 is designated as Constitution Day to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. The drafting of the United States Constitution was a landmark event in the history of … Continue reading Global Influence of the U.S. Constitution

Constitution Day: Translating the Constitution

Today’s post comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17, 1787—the day that the majority of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention approved the document they had been working on in Philadelphia since May. But the Constitution wouldn't become the official framework … Continue reading Constitution Day: Translating the Constitution

A Different Columbia as Capital City

Today’s post comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD.  During the 1770s and 1780s, the U.S. capital moved up and down the eastern seaboard from city to city. While its stay in Philadelphia might be the most famous, it also traveled south to Annapolis in 1783–84 and north … Continue reading A Different Columbia as Capital City

Amending the Electoral College: The 12th Amendment

The Electoral College is outlined in Article II, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution. It is the formal body that elects the President and Vice President of the United States. Back in 1787, when the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were trying to figure out how the President should be chosen, some wanted the Congress … Continue reading Amending the Electoral College: The 12th Amendment