Today’s post comes from Jennifer Johnson, curator in the National Archives Traveling Exhibits Service (NATES). On December 21, 2018, NATES program manager Dee Harris and I went to the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in Topeka, Kansas, where one of our traveling exhibits, “Over There” was on display in the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery. … Continue reading Reaching Communities: National Archives Traveling Exhibits Service
Joseph Rainey was distinguished in many ways—he was the first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, the first African American to preside over the House of Representatives, and the longest–serving African American during Reconstruction. He also had pretty nice mutton chops. Rainey was born into slavery in 1832 in Georgetown, … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Joseph Rainey the first African American in the House
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s swearing-in as the first African American woman in Congress. To commemorate the historic event, the National Archives is having a special document exhibit in the East Rotunda Gallery of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, through April 3, 2019. Today’s post comes from Michael … Continue reading Shirley Chisholm: Unbought and Unbossed
We are sad to learn James W. “Jim” Moore, a longtime, former National Archives employee, passed away on January 21, 2019. Moore worked for the National Archives for 42 years, from 1956 to 1998. Before coming to the National Archives, Moore worked for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Post Office Department, and he … Continue reading Remembering Jim Moore
It’s hard to believe 2018 is nearly over! This year we have brought you nearly 100 posts, and below are the most viewed of the year. We would like to give a big thank-you to the National Archives staff who work so hard to bring you information on what we do here at the National … Continue reading Ten Most Popular “Pieces of History” of 2018
Today's post comes from Alan Walker, an archivist at the National Archives at College Park. Ha, you probably thought I was speaking of that jolly old elf and the missus. Nope. This story begins in 1936, soon after the publication of what would become a standard: Consumers Union Reports. It was the first publication devoted … Continue reading Mr. and Mrs. Claus Were Not Communists
This year we have Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s returning to the National Archives on December 14, 2018, for our annual Bill of Rights Day naturalization ceremony. Today's post comes from Danielle Sklarew in the National Archives History Office. When Ruth Bader Ginsburg visited the National Archives on August 26, 1993—16 days after she … Continue reading Notorious RBG at the National Archives
December 15 is Bill of Rights Day, which commemorates the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. For more information on events and resources at the National Archives, visit our Bill of Rights Day website. "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity … Continue reading My Fellow Americans: Bill of Rights Day at the National Archives
Today’s post comes from Jim Zeender, senior registrar in the National Archives Exhibits Office. That the exclusive right of taking fish in the streams running through and bordering said reservation is hereby secured to said Indians; and at all other usual and accustomed stations, in common with citizens, of the United States, and of … Continue reading Middle Oregon Treaty of 1855
This month marks the five-year anniversary of the David M. Rubenstein Gallery at the National Archives. Today’s post come from Michael J. Hancock in the National Archives History Office. Magna Carta is the benchmark by which the principles of democracy are tested. Written more than 800 years ago, the document codified the fundamental truths that … Continue reading The Rubenstein Gallery: Five Years of Celebrating Citizens’ Rights
