We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout history. Today’s staff spotlight is on Josef C. James, the first African American Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. Josef C. James, 11/15/1971. (National Archives Identifier 35809790) Josef C. James—his friends called him JC—was born in … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Josef C. James
Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. Information is vital in warfare, whether it’s the latest intelligence on enemy movements or orders transferring materials and weapons. Reports relay the necessary information for soldiers, NCOs, officers, and generals, helping them to make … Continue reading Fall In! Morning Reports with the National Archives
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
This June the National Archives is celebrating National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month, which honors the important contributions that LGBTQ+ Americans have made to United States history and culture. Visit the National Archives website for more information on our related holdings. Today’s post looks at the man who created the iconic gay … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag
On May 30, 2022, the Lincoln Memorial turns 100 years old. Today’s post from Christina James, originally published in 2014, has been updated. Walking through our nation’s capital, you will inevitably come across at least one structure adorned with triangular pediments, massive columns, or a majestic dome. Many of Washington, DC’s most iconic buildings and … Continue reading John Russell Pope’s Lincoln Memorial designs
We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout its history. Today’s staff spotlight is Robert L. Clarke, who served as the first official Black History Specialist at the National Archives. Conference director Robert L. Clarke speaking at the National Archives Conference on Federal Archives as … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Robert L. Clarke
The National Historic Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board is considering the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, to be a National Historic Landmark. The study includes the history of the building as well as ways records housed in the National Archives Building have been used throughout history. Today’s post looks at … Continue reading The Importance of Records: Japanese American Incarceration During World War II
May 1–7, 2022, is Public Service Recognition Week, which honors the individuals who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. Today’s Facial Hair Friday looks at the man who sponsored legislation establishing a merit-based system for hiring federal employees: Senator George Hunt Pendleton. George H. Pendleton. (National Archives Identifier 167250250) Although President George Washington … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: George H. Pendleton
Congress passed and President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the National Archives Act on June 19, 1934. Not only did the legislation create the National Archives as an agency to oversee all federal recordkeeping, it established the position of Archivist of the United States. The Archivist, who was to make $10,000 annually, was to … Continue reading Appointment of the First Archivist of the United States
We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout history. Today’s staff spotlight is on Marion Tinling, an expert on shorthand, who worked for the National Historical Publications Commission in the 1950s and early 1960s. Marion Tinling (née Goble) was born on December 17, 1904, in Queens, … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Marion Tinling
