#SuperbOwl: The Wise Owl Club

Today's post is an oldie but a goodie from our very own public affairs specialist Hilary Parkinson. While searching for images of owls in the National Archives Catalog for #SuperbOwl, I came across this curious photo of an owl wearing safety goggles. In the same search I found photographs of men shaking hands and showing off tiny owl … Continue reading #SuperbOwl: The Wise Owl Club

Archives Under the Sea: Shipwrecks at NARA

On Friday, June 2, 2023, the National Archives is hosting an underwater-themed hashtag party. Join the conversation on Instagram and Twitter using #ArchivesHashtagParty and #ArchivesUndertheSea. Today’s post is from Caroline Shanley from the National Archives History Office.  The National Archives houses records that span the history of the National Park Service. Many of these records … Continue reading Archives Under the Sea: Shipwrecks at NARA

The Slow Vanishing of Mao Zedong

Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. Among the 20th century’s most famous political leaders, Mao Zedong still fascinates fellow politicians, scholars, historians, and students. He was the founder of the People’s Republic of China, ideological leader of Maoism, revolutionary, and Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party.  Exterior view of … Continue reading The Slow Vanishing of Mao Zedong

End of an Era: The National Defense Service Medal

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.  The awards system of the United States Armed Forces is complex with a plethora of awards. They range from awards given for acts of valor to those given for blanket participation in the service branches. … Continue reading End of an Era: The National Defense Service Medal

Hurricane Katrina: Natural Disaster and Man-Made Urban Policies

Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. While natural disaster is something that cannot be predicted, it is something that can be prepared for. Many cities are planned and built with natural disaster consequences in mind. However, the history of New Orleans shows that while these ideas may have been … Continue reading Hurricane Katrina: Natural Disaster and Man-Made Urban Policies

NARA Screams for Ice Cream! National Ice Cream Month

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.  Good Humor banner. (National Archives Identifier 5916724) There’s nothing quite like the sweet taste of ice cream, especially with these hot summer days. We hear the ice cream truck rolling through the neighborhood, parents … Continue reading NARA Screams for Ice Cream! National Ice Cream Month

International Archives Week 2022: Archives Are You

Today’s post comes from Meg Phillips, External Affairs Liaison at the National Archives.  The International Council on Archives (ICA) and the global archives community are celebrating International Archives Week from June 6 to June 10, 2022. The week commemorates the founding of the ICA and gives archivists a time to call greater attention to the … Continue reading International Archives Week 2022: Archives Are You

Check Your List Twice for #ArchivesGIFgiving

Just like eggnog, #ArchivesGIFgiving comes but once a year. On Friday, December 10, you’re invited to the second Archives Hashtag Party GIF exchange! In the spirit of the season, we’ll be “giving” GIFs to other cultural institutions. We hope you’ll share a GIF from your holdings, tag a fellow organization with a GIF they’ll love, or … Continue reading Check Your List Twice for #ArchivesGIFgiving

Covered Bridges in Frederick County

Today's post comes from Joshua Cain, an archives technician at the National Archives in College Park, MD. Fall is a perfect time for a countryside drive as the changing leaves make for beautiful scenery. To enhance that experience, try taking a drive through a covered bridge. There are several covered bridges on the National Register … Continue reading Covered Bridges in Frederick County

Madam C. J. Walker’s Rags-to-Riches Story Found in the Holdings of the National Archives

Today’s post comes from Missy McNatt, Education Specialist at the National Archives in Washington, DC.   I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. I was promoted from there to the washtub. Then I was promoted to the cook kitchen, and from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair … Continue reading Madam C. J. Walker’s Rags-to-Riches Story Found in the Holdings of the National Archives