LBJ and MLK

We are wrapping up our commemoration of Black History Month. Today’s post comes from Madie Ward in the National Archives History Office. The National Archives has countless items that highlight African Americans’ struggles for freedom and civil liberties. Included are documents on the Civil Rights Movement and, more specifically, on President Lyndon B. Johnson and Dr. … Continue reading LBJ and MLK

Honoring Justice Thurgood Marshall: the right man and the right place

On June 13, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Thurgood Marshall to be the first African American justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. After graduating from Howard University Law School in 1933, Marshall worked in private practice in his home town, Baltimore. In one of his earliest cases, he represented the local … Continue reading Honoring Justice Thurgood Marshall: the right man and the right place

Lady Bird Johnson: The Mastermind Behind the LBJ Presidential Library

Today’s post comes from Emily Niekrasz, an intern in the National Archives History Office in Washington, DC. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson at the LBJ Library, March 15, 1971. (LBJ Presidential Library, National Archives) At the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library dedication on May 22, 1971, President Johnson proclaimed, “We have papers … Continue reading Lady Bird Johnson: The Mastermind Behind the LBJ Presidential Library

Fifty Year Later: A Brief History of the Immigration Act of 1965

Today’s post comes from Rebecca Brenner, an intern in the History Office at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Fifty years ago on October 3, 1965, at the base of the Statue of Liberty, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Immigration Act of 1965 into law. The act was an important milestone in American immigration … Continue reading Fifty Year Later: A Brief History of the Immigration Act of 1965

Take a break with Presidential vacations!

Need a vacation? This summer, go on a vacation with 13 of our Presidents!  You can choose your own adventure on Instagram and chat with us on Twitter on August 19 using #POTUSvacation.   Vacations are an integral part of Presidential history, a way for Presidents to relax and recharge outside of Washington. Many of … Continue reading Take a break with Presidential vacations!

Thursday Photo Caption Contest–February 9

Who knew that the "LB" in LBJ stood for "light bulb"? Apparently, quite a few of you! We were buzzing with excitement after reading your captions, and we needed to ground ourselves. So we turned to our guest judge, Liza Talbot, who is an archivist at the Johnson Presidential Library and the mastermind behind the … Continue reading Thursday Photo Caption Contest–February 9

Reverse the (Zero) Curse

When Ronald Reagan survived the attempt on his life on March 30, 1981, and went on to serve two full four-year terms, he broke what some people call “the year-ending-in-zero” curse. It goes like this: Every President elected in a year ending in zero since 1840 had died in office. William Henry Harrison, elected in … Continue reading Reverse the (Zero) Curse