Making Tomorrow Better: International Peace Month

For International Peace Month, we’re looking at significant turning points toward a more peaceful world highlighted by the records of the National Archives. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.  “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in … Continue reading Making Tomorrow Better: International Peace Month

Happy Mother’s Day!

Every year I struggle with how I can show appreciation for my mom on Mother’s Day. This year I'm going retro and “making” my mom a gift by highlighting some of the National Archives holdings that relate to Mother’s Day. Although it was celebrated in several states for years, the first time Mother’s Day became … Continue reading Happy Mother’s Day!

U.S. Entry into the War to End All Wars

2017 marks the 100th anniversary of U.S. entry into World War I. Visit the National Archives website to learn how the National Archives is commemorating the anniversary. Today’s post comes from Sonia Kahn in the National Archives History Office.  Two and a half years of American neutrality in the ongoing war in Europe came to an … Continue reading U.S. Entry into the War to End All Wars

The 25th Amendment: Succession of the Presidency

Today's post comes from Christine Blackerby, archives specialist in the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives in Washington, DC. She is also co-curator of the exhibit “Amending America,” which runs in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery in the National Archives Building through September 4, 2017. Today marks the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the … Continue reading The 25th Amendment: Succession of the Presidency

Now on display: A letter from a mother

Today’s blog post comes from curator Alice Kamps. This featured document will be on display from May 9 to May 21. On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May a holiday for the "public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country." To commemorate … Continue reading Now on display: A letter from a mother

What’s Cooking Wednesday: Pull out that sweet tooth!

To celebrate our new exhibit “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” we are featuring a food-related blog post every Wednesday. Today's post comes to us from the National Archives at New York City. “Do you know that the money spent in the United States for candy in one year is double the amount required to feed Belgium … Continue reading What’s Cooking Wednesday: Pull out that sweet tooth!

The “Wilsonian” Path to War

President Woodrow Wilson’s campaign slogan throughout his 1916 reelection campaign was "he kept us out of war," but on April 2, 1917, Wilson reversed course and called on Congress to provide a declaration of war for American intervention in World War I. Although this shift in policy contradicted Wilson’s isolationist principles and firm commitment to … Continue reading The “Wilsonian” Path to War

A funny thing happened on the way to the Revolutionary War

Today's post comes from National Archives Office of Strategy and Communications staff writer Rob Crotty. (111-SC-92968) On New Year's day in 1776, Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army were laying siege to the British-controlled city of Boston. From Prospect Hill, General Washington ordered the Grand Union flag hoisted "in compliment of the United Colonies," … Continue reading A funny thing happened on the way to the Revolutionary War