Siblings, But Not Twins: Researching at the National Archives and the Library of Congress

We're wrapping up American Archives Month. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. Say you want to explore the history of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase using primary sources. Where do you go? Well, you could start by exploring the National Archives Catalog or the Library of Congress Catalog. Both of … Continue reading Siblings, But Not Twins: Researching at the National Archives and the Library of Congress

Sam Anthony Brightened NARA

Today’s post comes from Rebecca Brenner Graham, a former 2015-2016 intern in the History Office at the National Archives in Washington, DC. Sam Anthony passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. This post was originally written in 2015 and recently edited. Sam asked we hold publication until after he was gone. Sam … Continue reading Sam Anthony Brightened NARA

The Story of the Faulkner Murals

On Tuesday, July 2, 2019, Lester Gorelic gave a talk in the William G. McGowan Theater in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, on The Faulkner Murals: Revealing Their Stories. It is available for viewing on YouTube. In 2014 the National Archives' Prologue magazine published Lester Gorelic’s article, The Faulkner Murals: Depicting the Creation … Continue reading The Story of the Faulkner Murals

America’s First Ladies: In Service to Our Nation

Today's post comes from Elle Benak and Sanjana Barr from the National Archives History Office. On Friday September 16, 2016, the National Archives hosted the "Legacies of America's First Ladies" conference in the William G. McGowan theater in Washington, DC. This was part of an ongoing series first launched in 2011 by American University, who … Continue reading America’s First Ladies: In Service to Our Nation

Celebrating Black History Month

Today Pieces of History kicks off a month-long celebration of Black History.  The National Archives has millions of pages of records that document African American history—from Blacks serving in the Revolutionary War to the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. But behind those stories are the stories of the many African … Continue reading Celebrating Black History Month

Happy “Other” Birthday, National Archives!

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed legislation establishing the National Archives as an independent agency on June 19, 1934, which is our agency's official "birthday." But, we also celebrate April 1, 1985, as our "other birthday." Why? Read on. Although the National Archives was created as an independent agency, Congress transferred it to the newly created General … Continue reading Happy “Other” Birthday, National Archives!

Indian Treaties at the Museum of the American Indian

Almost 220 years ago, representatives of the United States and more than 1,600 people from Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy (Six Nations—Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora) gathered together near Canandaigua, New York (the Finger Lakes region) to discuss peace and friendship. On November 11, 1794, more than 50 chiefs and sachems, including Cornplanter and Red … Continue reading Indian Treaties at the Museum of the American Indian

Air Force One and Presidential Air Travel

Today’s guest post comes from Susan Donius, Director of the Office of Presidential Libraries at the National Archives. This post originally appeared on the White House blog. The President of the United States must be ready to travel anywhere in the world on a moment’s notice. Fortunately, modern Presidents have access to a variety of … Continue reading Air Force One and Presidential Air Travel

The burning of Washington

August 24, 2014, marks the 200th anniversary of the British burning of Washington during the War of 1812. In August 1814, British forces occupying the Chesapeake Bay began to sail up the Patuxent River in Maryland. Fearing an attack on the capital, Secretary of State James Monroe offered to scout the British position and report … Continue reading The burning of Washington