Today's post comes from Dina Herbert, the National Archives Liaison to Social Networks and Archival Context (SNAC). History buffs love trivia and making connections between historical figures. Like, how many degrees of separation are there between George Washington and Albert Einstein? Answer is two! (They both have materials at the Columbia University Libraries.) Or did Eleanor … Continue reading SNAC: Connecting Archival Collections
Today's post comes from Alexis Percle, archives technician at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, in honor of our upcoming National Conservation on Educational Access and Equity on March 7. Register to attend in person or watch the livestream. “As a son of a tenant farmer, I know that education is the only … Continue reading LBJ: From Teacher to President
Today’s post comes from Tom Putnam, Acting Director of the Office of Presidential Libraries. In a recent conversation with a younger colleague about Presidents Day, I mentioned that while I appreciated the three-day weekend, I missed celebrating George Washington’s actual birthday and eating cherry pie. “Cherry pie?” she asked. “Why cherry pie?” The tradition stems, … Continue reading Family Traditions and George Washington’s Birthday
While searching for images of owls in our digital catalog for #SuperbOwl (check Twitter the night of #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 lapel pins. Turns out, these are photographs of inductees to … Continue reading The Wise Owl Club
Today’s post comes from Tom Putnam, Acting Director of the Office of Presidential Libraries. The inauguration of a new President offers the nation an opportunity to witness not only the peaceful transfer of power but also the transformation of a person we've known for over a year as a candidate, and for two months as … Continue reading “Let the Word Go Forth:” A President’s First Inaugural Address
In honor of the upcoming Presidential inauguration, Washington's first inaugural address and the Bible that he used to swear his oath of office are on display. The Bible was loaned for the occasion by St. John’s Lodge No. 1, Ancient York Masons, which still owns the Bible today. Since the country’s first inauguration of George Washington … Continue reading On Exhibit: George Washington’s First Inaugural Address and Bible
Today's post comes from Jim Worsham, editor of Prologue, the quarterly magazine of the National Archives. As news emerged of the Japanese sneak attacks on Pearl Harbor and other U.S. installations in the Pacific 75 years ago, President Franklin D. Roosevelt began writing the speech he would give to Congress the next day. The news was bad, … Continue reading The Day of Infamy Speech: Well-Remembered but Still Missing
Today's post comes from Kimberlee Ried, public programs specialist at the National Archives at Kansas City. Research was provided by Michael Tarabulski, archivist at the National Archives at St. Louis. The 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is today. For those who fought in World War II, they likely had no idea … Continue reading The Last Living Doolittle Raider: Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Cole
This post comes from Mary Ryan, managing editor of Prologue magazine and was originally published in the Winter 2016 issue of Prologue. On December 15 we observe the 225th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. One-by-one, from 1789 to 1791, the states ratified 10 amendments to the nation’s new Constitution. The process had begun … Continue reading Ratifying the Bill of Rights . . . in 1939
October is American Archives Month! Today’s post comes from Elle Benak in the National Archives History Office. The National Archives has many records that can assist researchers in their search to discover their family history. In fact, from the 1970s onward, genealogical records have been the largest resource that draws people to the archives. Before 1970, many … Continue reading Researching the Family Tree
