Strange-but-true stories about the Declaration of Independence
"The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World," a gift from France, was dedicated on October 28, 1886, and was designated as a National Monument 100 years ago on October 15, 1924. Since 1886 the Statue of Liberty has stood in New York Harbor. It was a collaboration between sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and French historian … Continue reading Body of Iron, Soul of Fire: The Statue of Liberty
September 17 is Constitution Day. Visit the National Archives website for more information on how to commemorate the day. Today's post looks at the records act Congress passed under the new constitution. Charles Thomson served as the Secretary to Congress throughout the Revolutionary War and during the entire period of the government under the Articles of Confederation. … Continue reading The Records Act
As we look forward to the upcoming 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026, we’re looking back at the 175th anniversary celebration in 1951. For more information on July 4 and the National Archives, visit our website. On July 4, 1951, the United States celebrated its demisemiseptcentennial—the 175th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration … Continue reading July 4, 1951: Celebrating America’s Demisemiseptcentennial
On June 21, 2024, the exhibition Road to Revolution opened in the National Archives Building. The series features National Archives records that tell the story from colonial resistance to American independence and the diverse experiences of the nation’s founding generation. Today's post from Mary Ryan on the Lee Resolution is an update of her 2002 … Continue reading Lee Resolution: Declaring the Thirteen Colonies Free
70 years ago the Supreme Court issued its Brown v. the Board of Education ruling. Today’s post has been adapted from a piece by Daniel Holt, who served as the Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene from 1990 to 2008 and was a member of the Brown v. Board … Continue reading The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education
Last July 4th we looked at the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence. This year we’re examining a lesser-known, ceremonial copy of the Declaration of Independence: the Binns engraving. Numerous ceremonial copies of the Declaration of Independence were created in the surge of nationalism following the War of 1812. At that time, most signers … Continue reading The Binns Engraving of the Declaration of Independence
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
Today’s post comes from Morgan Browning, Senior Conservator in the National Archives Document Conservation Division. Visit our July 4th webpage to learn more about the Declaration of Independence and our celebration of it at the National Archives. Few records created during momentous historical events are as compelling and influential as those associated with the adoption … Continue reading Preserving the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence
Today’s post comes from Breanne Robertson, Education Specialist in the Museum Programs Division in Washington, DC. Visit our July 4th webpage to learn more about the Declaration of Independence and our celebration of it at the National Archives. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? If you answered “Thomas Jefferson,” you are both right and wrong. … Continue reading The Power of Penmanship: Writing the Declaration of Independence
In celebration of the upcoming movie version of the musical Hamilton, we are highlighting two Hamilton-related documents from the National Archives holdings. One of my favorite documents, and timely for Independence Day, is Alexander Hamilton’s Oath of Allegiance during the Revolutionary War. Alexander Hamilton's Oath of Allegiance, May 12, 1778. (National Archives Identifier 2524343) Hamilton … Continue reading My Name is Alex Hamilton
