Since the National Archives was established more than 80 years ago, millions of people from the United States and abroad have visited our historic building in Washington, DC. Ten of those visitors were sitting U.S. Presidents. In 1933, before there was a building, President Herbert Hoover became the first President to visit when he laid … Continue reading From 1600 to 700 Pennsylvania Avenue: Presidential Visits to the National Archives
In the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, hang portraits of the first nine Archivists of the United States, and Waldo Gifford Leland, who was instrumental in the agency’s creation. Sharing a wall with Leland and the first U.S. Archivist Robert D.W. Connor is the portrait of our second Archivist, Solon J. Buck. Buck became … Continue reading Solon Buck Portrait
2017 marks the 100th anniversary of U.S. entry into World War I. Visit the National Archives website to learn how the National Archives is commemorating the anniversary. Today’s post comes from Sonia Kahn in the National Archives History Office. Two and a half years of American neutrality in the ongoing war in Europe came to an … Continue reading U.S. Entry into the War to End All Wars
March is Women's History Month! Visit our website for more resources on women's history and to see how the National Archives is celebrating the month. Today's post comes from Alan Walker, an archivist in Textual Processing at Archives II. I am flabbergasted at how popular this photograph has become. Mrs. Adelaide Ansley Checking Hygrothermograph in Stack Area, 1940. (National … Continue reading What’s Your Story, Adelaide Minogue?
In the early 19th century, American demand for Indian nations' land increased, and momentum grew to force Indians further west. The first major step to relocate American Indians came when Congress passed, and President Andrew Jackson signed, the Indian Removal Act on May 28, 1830. It authorized the President to negotiate removal treaties with Indian … Continue reading On Exhibit: the Indian Removal Act
March is Women’s History Month! Today’s post comes from Elle Benak in the National Archives History Office. In spring 1976 the National Archives held a ground-breaking conference on women’s history. It highlighted National Archives records that focused on the subject and discussed how women’s history could be studied as part of general history; not just … Continue reading Women’s History in the Archives
February is Black History Month! Visit the National Archives website to learn more about our many events and activities celebrating African American History. Charles Henry Alston (November 28, 1907–April 27, 1977) was a noted African American artist and teacher. He is best known for sculpting the bust of Martin Luther King, Jr., on display in the … Continue reading The drawings of Charles Alston
February 19 is the Day of Remembrance commemorating the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 authorizing the forced evacuation and relocation of all people in “military areas” who might pose a threat to national security. Since the Japanese bombing of Pearl … Continue reading Japanese American Internment: Righting a Wrong
George Washington led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, presided over the Constitutional Convention, and served as the first President of the United States. He is known, quite rightfully, as the Father of our Country. Washington was born in Virginia on February 11, 1731, according to the then-used Julian calendar. In 1752 Britain and … Continue reading Happy George Washington’s Birthday!
Today's post comes from Christine Blackerby, archives specialist in the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives in Washington, DC. She is also co-curator of the exhibit “Amending America,” which runs in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery in the National Archives Building through September 4, 2017. Today marks the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the … Continue reading The 25th Amendment: Succession of the Presidency
