Strange-but-true stories about America’s Presidents from the National Archives and Presidential Libraries.
Mark K. Updegrove is Director of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. The first time a sitting President came to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library was on May 21, 1971, when President Richard Nixon boarded Air Force One and journeyed to the campus of the University of Texas at Austin to … Continue reading Reflections on LBJ and Civil Rights
The first Senate Journal is on display from April 1 to April 16, 2014, in the East Rotunda Gallery of the National Archives Building. Today's post comes from Martha Grove, archivist in the Center for Legislative Archives in the National Archives. “Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time … Continue reading On display: The Senate Journal of the First Congress
Throughout the month of April, the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library will be exhibiting four cornerstone documents of civil rights. The “Cornerstones of Civil Rights” exhibit will run from April 1 through 30. The exhibit will feature two documents signed by President Abraham Lincoln: an authorized, printed edition of the Emancipation Proclamation; and a copy of the Senate resolution … Continue reading Celebrating a commitment to civil rights at the Johnson Presidential Library
Today’s guest post comes from Susan K. Donius, Director of the Office of Presidential Libraries at the National Archives. President Obama is an avid football fan, an interest shared by many of his predecessors in the White House. As young men, several future Presidents played football in high school and college. Other Presidents have enthusiastically assumed the … Continue reading 10 Football Facts Featuring U.S. Presidents
In 1836, President Jackson accepted 1,400-pound wheel of cheese from Col. Thomas Meacham, a dairy farmer near Sandy Creek, NY. The cheese was mammoth, and it sat, ripening, in the White House for over a year. Eventually, Jackson invited everyone in Washington, DC, to stop by and help consume the massive wheel. He threw the … Continue reading A big cheese for the Big Cheese in 1837
The best thing about Thanksgiving is gathering around the table, stuffing your faces with turkey, and enjoying the pleasant and agreeable conversation with your extended family. Right? Well, to keep the happy conversation flowing, here's some fun facts about Thanksgiving to keep your family distracted from explosive topics (you know what they are at your … Continue reading Tasty tidbits for your Thanksgiving table
Today's blog post comes from Corinne Porter, curator at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. November 22, 2013, marks the 50th anniversary of the death of President John F. Kennedy. On that day in 1963, the news of President Kennedy’s tragic death shocked the world and plunged the United States into mourning. Although five … Continue reading “The whole world mourns his passing”
Some of our documents made a special trip across Constitution Avenue today, traveling from the National Archives Building to our neighbor on the Mall, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Tonight, the museum is hosting a dinner for this year's sixteen recipients of the nation's highest civilian honor: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Over … Continue reading National Archives documents on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
Steven Spielberg is being honored by the Foundation for the National Archives for his film legacy, which has brought history to life on the big screen. The National Archives is celebrating the award with a film festival. Lincoln is the last film to be screened. Join us tonight, November 18, at 7 p.m. Tickets are … Continue reading Spielberg Film Festival: Lincoln
Steven Spielberg is being honored by the Foundation for the National Archives for his film legacy, which has brought history to life on the big screen. The National Archives is celebrating the award with a film festival, and Saving Private Ryan is the first film to be screened. Join us tonight, Friday, November 15. For … Continue reading Spielberg Film Festival: Saving Private Ryan
