On Sunday, I was honored to provide the keynote address for the Next Century Convocation at MIT, the institution which launched my career and shaped my worldview. I shared my thoughts on MIT’s striking founding vision and how pervasive its influence has been over the last 150 years, even in unexpected places. MIT's motto is … Continue reading Mens et Manus: Reaching for the Future
A test of a nation's commitment to transparency and self-government comes in how it explains to succeeding generations the more difficult or controversial moments of the past. Watergate is one such moment in our nation's history -- and a topic that is now more fully explored at the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Last week, … Continue reading Understanding Watergate
You may think that the National Archives is an unlikely place to learn the secrets of Michael Jackson's dance moves -- but you're wrong! Within Record Group 241, Records of the Patent and Trademark Office, patent 5,255,452 gives us the secrets behind one move in particular -- Michael's "lean" as done in the music video, … Continue reading How to be a “Smooth Criminal”
A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to sit down with Peter Wood, professor of history, emeritus, at Duke University to talk with him about his recent book, Near Andersonville: Winslow Homer's Civil War. The book tells the story of Winslow Homer's remarkable Civil War-era painting, Near Andersonville. In the following video, Peter … Continue reading Interview with Peter Wood, Author of Near Andersonville: Winslow Homer’s Civil War
Two weeks ago, the San Jose Sharks came to visit the National Archives for a behind-the-scenes tour on their day off in Washington before playing the Capitals. As professional athletes go, they had plenty of interest in our records -- especially the declassified 1930's contingency plan to invade Canada! As you may know from a … Continue reading Developing a Hockey Mindset
I want to thank you, Jack, for visiting the National Archives recently to discuss your book, On American Soil: How Justice Became a Casualty of WWII. Your book is a powerful example of the importance of the records of the National Archives. You tell the story of Private Guglielmo Olivotto, an Italian POW who was … Continue reading Interview with Jack Hamann, Author of On American Soil: How Justice Became a Casualty of WWII
The largest oil spill in U.S. history gripped the nation's attention for over three months this past summer. On May 22, 2010, President Barack Obama announced the creation of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. The Commission's goal: "to learn the essential lessons so expensively revealed in the … Continue reading Deepwater: Lessons Learned
On Tuesday, January 17, 1961, Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered his farewell address to the American people, where he warned of the growing power of the "military-industrial complex." On Friday, January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered his inaugural address to the American people, where he charged, "...ask not what your country can do for … Continue reading 50 Years Ago…
With Nancy Reagan at his side, President Obama signed a law establishing the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission in June 2009. As Archivist of the United States, I serve as an ex officio member to "provide advice and information to the Commission." Throughout 2011, there are many events planned to celebrate the 100th anniversary of President … Continue reading Celebrating Ronald Reagan
The holidays have always been a time for me to remember those who have gone on before me -- a large extended family descended from Italian and Irish immigrants. Christmas day was usually split between the two families and never together in the same place. The two enthnicities were still very much at war in … Continue reading A Time For Remembering
