Strange-but-true stories about America’s Presidents from the National Archives and Presidential Libraries.
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
On December 13, 2023, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland designated the National Archives Building as a National Historic Landmark. To celebrate this major achievement, the National Archives History Office has published a two-part online exhibit, “Presidential Visits to the National Archive Building.” Today’s post comes from Alyssa Moore. The new, two-part online exhibit, “Presidential … Continue reading New Online Exhibits: “Presidential Visits to the National Archives Building”
In 2023 we mark the 100th anniversary of the first National Christmas Tree lighting. The lighting ceremony will take place on November 30, 2023, in President’s Park in Washington, DC. From December 2 through January 1, the public can visit the National Christmas Tree and be part of the annual holiday tradition in the nation’s … Continue reading 100th anniversary of the National Christmas Tree lighting
This year the federal holiday Thanksgiving falls on November 23, the fourth Thursday of the month. But it wasn't always so. Today's post looks at Thanksgiving as a federal holiday and the various days it has been commemorated. To learn more about Thanksgiving and how the National Archives is celebrating, visit our website. One of … Continue reading Thanksgiving as a Federal Holiday
Today’s post comes from Alyssa Manfredi at the National Archives History Office. George Gordon Liddy played an infamous role in the Watergate scandal. He and a team were behind the attempted break-in to the Democratic National Convention office, which inadvertently led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon. Liddy became one of the few people … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: G. Gordon Liddy, White House Plumber
August 8th is International Cat Day, and today’s post, from Alyssa Moore in the National Archives History Office looks at the history of household cats at the White House. Socks Clinton lounges at podium in the White House Press Briefing Room, 1993. (National Archives Identifier 236748090) While cats were likely used to control the mice … Continue reading The Office of the First Cat
On Friday, July 7, 2023, the National Archives is hosting a vacation-themed hashtag party. Join the conversation on Instagram and Twitter using #ArchivesHashtagParty and #ArchivesVacay. Today’s post is from Alyssa Moore in the National Archives History Office. Secluded in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland, not far from Washington, DC, sits an active naval base called … Continue reading Escaping the White House: Camp David
President William Howard Taft was the first U.S. President to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. As baseball's Opening Day nears, we are sharing images from the National Archives of past Presidents, First Ladies—and even a government mascot—and ceremonial pitches. Every U.S. President from William Howard Taft to John F. Kennedy threw … Continue reading Ceremonial First Pitches
We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout its history. Today’s Historic Staff Spotlight features Mildred B. Berry, who worked at the Federal Register where she oversaw two major publications: the U.S. Government Manual and the Public Papers of the Presidents. Mildred Van Valkenburgh Bunch was born … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Mildred B. Berry
October is American Archives Month, and we’re looking at moments in National Archives history that shed light on the importance of archives. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. On May 21, 2009, President Barack Obama delivered a speech at the National Archives Building to an audience of members of … Continue reading A Matter of National Security: The Role of the National Archives in Protecting Citizens
