Top 10 of 2023

As we say hello to 2024, we’re taking a look at the most popular posts of 2023. Thank you to the National Archives staff who helped us share our love of history throughout the year! 10. As a big shout-out to our nurses who have had it especially hard these past few years, Jen Hivick’s … Continue reading Top 10 of 2023

Ceremonial First Pitches

President William Howard Taft was the first U.S. President to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. As baseball's Opening Day nears, we are sharing images from the National Archives of past Presidents, First Ladies—and even a government mascot—and ceremonial pitches. Every U.S. President from William Howard Taft to John F. Kennedy threw … Continue reading Ceremonial First Pitches

At the Plate: Baseball Diplomacy between Cuba and the United States

It’s National Hispanic Heritage Month. Visit the National Archives website for resources on related records and how we are commemorating the month. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. Often referred to as the national pastime, the sport of baseball remains a central part of American culture. Passed down from generation to … Continue reading At the Plate: Baseball Diplomacy between Cuba and the United States

Jackie Robinson’s 100th

We're wrapping up African American History Month. Visit the National Archives website for more information on our resources related to African American History. Today’s post comes from James Worsham, editor in the Communications and Marketing Division of the National Archives. Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in modern major league baseball, would have been 100 … Continue reading Jackie Robinson’s 100th

The 1918 Boston Red Sox and World War I

Today’s post comes from Daniel J. Fleming, an archives technician at the National Archives at Boston. The successful postseason run of the 2018 World Series champion Boston Red Sox provides a timely opportunity to revisit the franchise's championship team from 100 years ago. As America entered World War I and many of Boston’s ballplayers joined … Continue reading The 1918 Boston Red Sox and World War I

Play Ball, Mr. President!

In honor of Opening Day for the 2013 baseball season, we’ve put together this gallery of baseball-related photos, documents, and artifacts from the holdings of the 13 Presidential Libraries of the National Archives. This summary of Presidential baseball history was compiled by James Kratsas, Deputy Director at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. … Continue reading Play Ball, Mr. President!

Facial Hair Friday: Opening Day Mustache

Opening Day of the 2013 Baseball Season is this Sunday! What better way to celebrate than to crack open some peanuts, download our free eBook “Baseball: The National Pastime in the National Archives,” and grow a luxuriant mustache in honor of President Taft. Taft is the newest addition to the Nationals Racing Presidents.The 27th President … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Opening Day Mustache

The Greatest Athlete of the First Half of the Century

Jim Thorpe was stripped of his Olympic gold medals in 1913, but it was not because of illegal drugs, cheating, or bribery. It was because of baseball. Thorpe was a Native American from Oklahoma. He went to the Sac and Fox Indian Agency school in Stroud, OK, but dropped out. Later he attended the Carlisle … Continue reading The Greatest Athlete of the First Half of the Century

Take me out to the ballgame (and then to court)

Today's post is written by Kimberlee Ried, public programs specialist at the National Archives in Kansas City. "Take me out to the ball game, take me out with the crowd . . ."  These words, written by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer in 1908, are still heard every night at  baseball parks across America, … Continue reading Take me out to the ballgame (and then to court)