Yesterday was Veterans Day, and many of my friends on Facebook posted tributes to their family and friends, usually mentioning their grandfathers who fought in World War II. Now, World War II was over 60 years ago, but I personally know WWII vets—my own grandfather and great-uncle. And my father knew family members who were … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Civil War Beards on Film
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Today Part Two of "Discovering the Civil War" opens at the National Archives in Washington, DC. The exhibit is divided into a few sections, the last of which is entitled "Endings and Beginnings," a reference to the end of the … Continue reading The peculiar story of Wilmer McLean
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Lincoln's funeral procession passing the Roosevelt Mansion in New York City (Courtesy New York Public Library) History is full of strange coincidences, and the Civil War is no exception. In the 1950s, Stefan Lorant was researching a book on Abraham … Continue reading Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln in the same photo
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. On the creation of new states, the Constitution is pretty clear. Article IV, Section 3, reads that "no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State ... without the Consent of the Legislatures of … Continue reading Is West Virginia Constitutional?
At least three colleagues here at the National Archives and one commenter have mentioned Horace Greeley as a candidate for the spotlight here at Facial Hair Friday. And upon looking him up and letting out a strangled gasp, I had to agree that his facial hair is indeed worthy of a blog post. I'm not sure that … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: By Request
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Censorship has always been a delicate subject in American history. From John Adam's Alien and Sedition Acts to the publication of the "Government Information Manual for the Motion Picture" during World War II, national security and the freedom of speech … Continue reading Censorship and the C*** W**
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. During the Civil War in 1861, a nearly broke Federal Government came up with a clever way to get rich quick: print money. Prior to this the United States Treasury had never issued the paper dollars we have all come … Continue reading What’s in your wallet?
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Part Two of Discovering the Civil War opens at the National Archives in Washington, DC, on November 10! Rarely seen footage of Civil War veterans, intelligence gathering with balloons, prosthetic limbs, two different Thirteenth Amendments, and the Confederate States of … Continue reading Inside the Vaults – Discovering the Civil War
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. History tends to show that midterm elections are never particularly good for the sitting President. In 2006, many Republicans were moved from their seats due to dissatisfaction with George Bush's policies. In 1994, Republicans swept the House as a referendum … Continue reading A midterm referendum on Abe Lincoln
Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. Part two of Discovering the Civil War opens at the National Archives in Washington, DC, in just 10 days! Spies, code breaking, personality conflicts over balloons, prosthetic limbs, two different Thirteenth Amendments, and the Confederate States of Mexico are just … Continue reading Ten things you didn’t know about the Civil War
