On August 22, 2024, the National Archives Building’s National Historic Landmark Plaque is being unveiled. Visit National Archives News and the National Archives History websites to learn more about this historic building. Architect John Russell Pope's exterior sketch for the National Archives Building. (National Archives Identifier 286184550) In December 2023, 90 years after its cornerstone … Continue reading The National Archives Building’s Landmark Plaque
Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. They’re the largest land animals, have the longest gestation period for land animals, are hard workers, are the core of many religious beliefs, and have done everything from going to war to protecting the … Continue reading World Elephant Day
August 8, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of Richard Nixon’s resignation as President of the United States. Today’s post is an update of Emma Rothberg’s 2014 article. Early the morning of June 17, 1972, five men were caught and arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC. … Continue reading Nixon Resigns
For nearly 20 years the National Archives' Alexandria Federal Records Center was housed in the former U.S. Naval Torpedo station located on Alexandria's waterfront. A view of the Alexandria waterfront including the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station, 1941. (National Archives Identifier 68150512) One day after the end of World War I, the U.S. Navy began construction … Continue reading U.S. Naval Torpedo Station
When architect John Russell Pope was designing the National Archives Building, he included numerous symbolic elements to convey the ideas of protection. Around the building are swords, shields, and spear-topped gates to remind the public of the significance and importance of protecting the building’s contents. He also included a granite moat surrounding the building. Constitution … Continue reading Protecting the National Archives
As the 2024 Summer Olympics approaches, we're having an #ArchivesHashtagParty: #ArchivesGoForGold! Join us on Friday, July 12, 2024, to celebrate all achievers, from Olympic champions to unsung heroes. Use #ArchivesGoForGold and tag @USNatArchives on Instagram and X. The 2024 Summer Olympics is taking place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, in Paris, France. Today’s … Continue reading U.S. Servicemembers at the 1984 Olympic Games
As we look forward to the upcoming 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026, we’re looking back at the 175th anniversary celebration in 1951. For more information on July 4 and the National Archives, visit our website. On July 4, 1951, the United States celebrated its demisemiseptcentennial—the 175th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration … Continue reading July 4, 1951: Celebrating America’s Demisemiseptcentennial
On June 21, 2024, the exhibition Road to Revolution opened in the National Archives Building. The series features National Archives records that tell the story from colonial resistance to American independence and the diverse experiences of the nation’s founding generation. Today's post from Mary Ryan on the Lee Resolution is an update of her 2002 … Continue reading Lee Resolution: Declaring the Thirteen Colonies Free
On June 19, 1934, the National Archives was created as an independent agency. But just 15 years later, on June 30, 1949, Congress passed legislation moving the National Archives to the newly created General Services Administration (GSA) and renamed it the National Archives and Records Service (NARS). Today we’re looking at the events that led … Continue reading How the National Archives Became NARS
June 19th, or “Juneteenth,” is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Today’s post, looking at the history of the federal holiday, comes from Saba Samy, an intern at the National Archives in Washington, DC. President Lincoln on the Battlefield, Maryland, Antietam, 1862. (National Archives Identifier 533297) On September … Continue reading Juneteenth: The First Commemoration of Abolition
