This post is from Jessie Kratz, Historian of the National Archives. It's from the Winter 2016 issue of Prologue magazine. The travels of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution have been chronicled frequently over the years—in fact, they are fascinating stories. However, the third “Charter of Freedom”—the Bill of Rights—has been largely overlooked. As we … Continue reading Historian’s Notebook: The Bill of Rights at 225
This post comes from Mary Ryan, managing editor of Prologue magazine and was originally published in the Winter 2016 issue of Prologue. On December 15 we observe the 225th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. One-by-one, from 1789 to 1791, the states ratified 10 amendments to the nation’s new Constitution. The process had begun … Continue reading Ratifying the Bill of Rights . . . in 1939
Today's post comes from Jim Zeender, Senior Registrar in the National Archives Exhibits Office. On October 1, 2016, the Mount Vernon Museum opened a new and groundbreaking exhibition called “Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.” The exhibition explores the long and complex relationship between George Washington and his slaves and his evolving attitudes … Continue reading Slavery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Today's post comes from Jim Zeender, Senior Registrar in the National Archives Exhibits Program in Washington, DC. In early September I had the pleasure of taking a train to Williamsburg, Virginia. I have taken trains to Philadelphia, New York, and New Haven numerous times. Overseas, I have been on trains in England, France, Austria and Switzerland. … Continue reading A Trip to Williamsburg
In honor of Veterans Day, today’s post comes to you from Sanjana Barr of the National Archives History Office. On September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation returning the official date for celebrating Veterans Day to November 11. For the previous four years, Veterans Day had been observed on the fourth Monday in … Continue reading Gerald Ford: President and Veteran
Anyone who is a fan of the hit musical Hamilton knows the song “Election of 1800.” It depicts an infamous election that ultimately led us to change our Constitution. By 1800, the nation's first two political parties were beginning to take shape. The two major candidates for President were the Federalist President, John Adams, and the … Continue reading The Election of 1800
October is American Archives Month! We’re wrapping up our month-long series of blog posts about electronic records. Today’s post comes from Elle Benak from the National Archives History Office. On August 12, 2016, the National Archives transferred photographs from 25 years of our history into permanent storage. What makes this transfer so significant is that it … Continue reading Documenting National Archives History
October is American Archives Month! Today’s post comes from Elle Benak in the National Archives History Office. The National Archives has many records that can assist researchers in their search to discover their family history. In fact, from the 1970s onward, genealogical records have been the largest resource that draws people to the archives. Before 1970, many … Continue reading Researching the Family Tree
October is American Archives Month! We’re celebrating the work of archivists and the importance of archives with a series of blog posts about the electronic records. Today’s post comes from Elle Benak of the National Archives History Office. On November 28, 2011, President Obama signed a memorandum issuing an executive branch–wide order that all government … Continue reading Archiving the Digital Age
October is American Archives Month! We’re celebrating the work of archivists and the importance of archives with a series of blog posts about the electronic records. Today’s post is an interview by External Affairs Liaison Meg Phillips with Lynn Goodsell and Ted Hull of the Electronic Records Division. Today I’m visiting with the Director of … Continue reading Helping the Public Use Electronic Records at the National Archives
