Today’s post from David Smollar is a follow-up piece to his 2015 Prologue article, "Hard, Bitter, Unpleasantly Necessary Duty: A Little-Known World War II Story of the Philippines." David is a history tutor and retired Los Angeles Times journalist. My graduate school adviser at UCLA likened a quest into the past to an explorer’s dig … Continue reading Personal Surprises of History
As we say goodbye to 2022, we’re taking a look at the most popular posts of the year. We would like to thank the National Archives staff who have worked so hard this past year to Make Access Happen through their numerous contributions. 10. In 10th place comes a post for Constitution Day—Drafting the U.S. … Continue reading Top Ten of 2022
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
December 15 is Bill of Rights Day, which commemorates the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The National Archives received the original, engrossed first amendments to the Constitution, what we now call the Bill of Rights, in 1938 from the State Department. Until the National Archives was created in 1934, the … Continue reading Solving the Mystery of the Bill of Rights
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
Famous for his long and bushy beard he grew during his time as a guerrilla rebel fighter, Fidel Castro’s beard became a badge of honor and later a symbol of the triumph of the revolution. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and Cuban Prime Minister … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Fidel Castro
November is Native American Heritage Month. Visit National Archives News for more information on related events and resources. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. In 1867, after the Civil War and amid a surge in western expansion, railroad development and White western settlement became a top government priority. Native … Continue reading The Last Attempt: The Indian Peace Commission of 1867-1868
November is Native American Heritage Month. Visit National Archives News for more information on related events and resources. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. Entering a library or a bookstore, one might see the autobiography Geronimo: His Own Story sitting on the shelves. At the end of his days, … Continue reading Geronimo, Apache Chief
Enjoy this year’s FIFA World Cup from November 20 to December 18, 2022, hosted by Qatar, and in just four years, watch out for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tickets for matches in 11 U.S. cities. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. On June 16, 2022, the Fédération Internationale … Continue reading Teamwork On and Off the Field: 1994 FIFA World Cup
November 11 is Veterans Day. Visit the National Archives website for more information on related events and resources. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. The Navajo code talkers were pivotal U.S. Marines in the Pacific Theater of World War II, … Continue reading Navajo Code Talker: Adolph Nagurski
