Imagine a time before computers and the safety net of spellcheck and auto-correct. Imagine you are about to write by hand (or "engross") the document that will set out the fundamentals of governing a new nation. And you have less than 48 hours to do it. The Constitution (plus its "fifth page" were written by … Continue reading Constitution 225: To errata is human
Resolution from Constitutional Convention concerning ratification of the proposed Constitution, September 17, 1787. (National Archives Identifier 6277391) Millions of people have passed through the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, to see the original parchments that are our Charters of Freedom. They pause to look at the faded writing on the … Continue reading Constitution 225: There’s a “fifth” page the public has never seen
Today’s post was written by National Archives volunteer Paul Richter. It is part of a series tracing the development of the Constitution in honor of the 225th anniversary of this document on September 17, 2012. Have you ever dreamed of being addressed as King or Queen or Prince or Princess or Viscount or Duchess or … Continue reading Constitution 225: No crown for you!
Today’s post was written by National Archives volunteer Paul Richter. It is part of a series tracing the development of the Constitution in honor of the 225th anniversary of this document on September 17, 2012. The President of the United States is one of the most famous positions in the world. But the first … Continue reading Constitution 225: The President
Today's guest post comes from Tammy Kelly, archivist and hat aficionado at the Truman Presidential Library. I admit it—I love hats. I have several vintage hats in my closet, but I find them challenging to wear because sometimes, I just don’t know how to wear them. People no longer wear hats on a regular basis, … Continue reading Hats off to Bess Truman!
People often refer to the National Archives as a “treasure trove” of history. Usually they’re referring to the wealth of knowledge documented in our billions of pieces of paper. But occasionally you come across something that would not be out of place in a real treasure chest. At the end of the 19th century, thousands … Continue reading Striking Gold in the Records
In the last post, we brought the Adams-Vergennes story up to their abrupt break in late July 1780. Adams departed for the Netherlands, where he hoped to raise additional funds for the United States war effort and make the United States less dependent on France. Meanwhile, Vergennes appealed to Franklin and through Franklin to Congress, … Continue reading In their own words: Adams, Franklin, and Vergennes (part IIc)
Today’s guest post is by Dana Roark, archives technician at the Lee’s Summit Federal Records Center. One of the most vivid memories I have of my first day at Lee's Summit, a? National Archives facility, was the drive in to my new workplace. As I rounded the corner of the driveway, I came face-to-face with the yawning black mouth … Continue reading Working in the National Archives: Caves
Temporary tattoos on July 4! 10: The reading starts at 10 am, so the Metro isn’t crowded. 9: Your Facebook pictures will make everyone jealous. 8: You love the sound of the fife and drums. 7: Secretly you wish were a historical reenactor! 6: Everyone gets a free fan. 5: Audience participation: boo (at … Continue reading Top Ten Reasons to Celebrate July 4 at the National Archives
Today's guest post comes from Miriam Kleiman of the National Archives Public Affairs Office. The National Archives and Hollywood again converge, this time in a lengthy Foreign Service cable, declassified in 2006. Dated October 15, 1975, and sent from the U.S. Ambassador Elliot Richardson (of Watergate fame) in London to the U.S. Secretary of State … Continue reading The Iron Lady was not always so steely
