#Archives80s: DC in the 80s

On August 8, 2018, the numbers will align for a totally epic 80s-themed #ArchivesHashtagParty! We'll be celebrating all things 80s—the 1780s, 1880s, and 1980s—that is! We’ll be using the hashtag #Archives80s on Twitter and Instagram to feature highlights from the National Archives from the 1780s, the 1880s, and the 1980s. Join the party and share some of … Continue reading #Archives80s: DC in the 80s

Emancipation Proclamation: Freedom in Washington, DC

Today’s blog post comes from National Archives social media intern Anna Fitzpatrick. Nine months before President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, he signed a bill on April 16, 1862, that ended slavery in the District of Columbia. The act finally concluded many years of disagreements over ending ''the national shame'' of slavery in the nation's … Continue reading Emancipation Proclamation: Freedom in Washington, DC

A Capital Celebration: The National Archives Commemorates DC Emancipation

Today's post comes from Gregory Marose, an intern in the National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications While Union and Confederate forces clashed on southern battlefields in 1862, a historic piece of legislation ended "the national shame" of slavery in the nation's capital. The District of Columbia Emancipation Act was signed into law by President … Continue reading A Capital Celebration: The National Archives Commemorates DC Emancipation

Emancipation for DC

Today is Emancipation Day for the District of Columbia. Some of you might immediately wonder if this is related to DC's current efforts to win representation and a vote, but it is a celebration for a different kind of freedom for the residents of DC. Eight and a half months before he signed the Emancipation … Continue reading Emancipation for DC

Your photos, then and now

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Last week we asked our readers to share photos that match up with some old images we have in our library. We got two responses that really show just how much things have changed in Washington, DC. See our then … Continue reading Your photos, then and now