100th anniversary of the National Christmas Tree lighting

In 2023 we mark the 100th anniversary of the first National Christmas Tree lighting. The lighting ceremony will take place on November 30, 2023, in President’s Park in Washington, DC. From December 2 through January 1, the public can visit the National Christmas Tree and be part of the annual holiday tradition in the nation’s … Continue reading 100th anniversary of the National Christmas Tree lighting

#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

Celebrate July 4th with the National Archives in DC, nationwide, and online!

Join the National Archives in celebrating the 239th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with special events in Washington, DC, at Presidential Libraries nationwide, and online! You can see the full press release online here. https://youtu.be/heCz6TWxGvI Celebrate July 4th at the National Archives in Washington, DC The National Archives in Washington, DC, will celebrate … Continue reading Celebrate July 4th with the National Archives in DC, nationwide, and online!

Location, Location, Location: Settling on a Capital City

Today’s post comes from Judith Adkins, an archivist at the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives in Washington, DC. Senate Resolution that Congress shall meet in Philadelphia, May 24, 1790. (Records of the U.S. Senate, National Archives) While the First Congress met for its two sessions in New York City, delegates from Pennsylvania … Continue reading Location, Location, Location: Settling on a Capital City

Archivist welcomes visitors back to the National Archives

At 1 p.m. on October 17, the doors to the National Archives Museum on Constitution Avenue opened for the first time since September 30. Archivist of the United States David Ferriero greeted the first visitors to enter the building. “It’s really nice to see people roaming the halls again. I’m proud of the fact that we … Continue reading Archivist welcomes visitors back to the National Archives

Facial Hair Friday: Our very own beard!

If you visited the National Archives in Washington, DC, last year and waited in line on the Constitution Avenue side of the building on your way to see our Charters of Freedom, you may have seen a red cart with a big red umbrella and a sign that says "Ask the Question." And now, you … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Our very own beard!

Get ready for the Genealogy Fair!

Only 9 days left until the seventh annual Genealogy Fair! The fair is free and open to the public, and will take place at the National Archives building in Washington, DC. The Archivist will cut the ribbon at 9 a.m. on April 20 to open the fair. Need an introduction to genealogy? There's a session … Continue reading Get ready for the Genealogy Fair!

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