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
A few months ago, I received 15 handcrafted thank you notes from a group of school children who had visited with their parents and teachers from the Saltonstall School in Salem, Massachusetts. I had the opportunity to answer their questions before their tour of the National Archives. My favorite question was from a young boy … Continue reading The National Archives Through Children’s Eyes
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
Change is not easy, but NARA staff members are doing it with enthusiam and we are seeing the results. Wireless internet is now available for researchers who use our Washington, DC and College Park, MD facilities. This service is free and available to registered researchers. On Monday, we launched the redesigned Archives.gov. With your help, … Continue reading Change You Can See and Experience
In my first year on the job, I have become a fan of the daily horoscopes in the Washington Post. My favorite so far: Many feel limited by the work they do. You won't be in this category today, though. Your work expands you. You'll be excited by what you learn, and you feel privileged … Continue reading In an Archives State of Mind
President Lincoln issued a Proclamation of Thanksgiving in October 1863, which is well known for setting the precedent of our national holiday. Since 1863, we have celebrated Thanksgiving every year as a nation. Another Proclamation of Thanksgiving was issued a year later by President Lincoln. October 1864 was a pivotal time during the Civil War. … Continue reading Blessings of Peace, Union and Harmony
Every day at the National Archives, we fulfill veterans' requests for copies of their military records that document their service to our country. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO is an office of the National Archives, which has over 80 million permanent records and receives over 5,000 requests for military records … Continue reading Happy Veterans Day!
Last Wednesday, I celebrated the 235th birthday of the U.S. Navy at the USS Constitution Museum at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. It was a fun event full of hometown pride and spirited debate. I brought with me Senior Archivist Trevor Plante and original records from the National Archives to discuss the Revolutionary origins … Continue reading Hometown Rivalries Debate the Birthplace of the U.S. Navy
Today we celebrate the 223rd anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States. On this date in 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the Constitution. At the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., where the Constitution is on permanent display in the Rotunda, there is a celebration planned. … Continue reading Happy Constitution Day!
Last Wednesday, I visited the Huntington Library in California to receive the original Nuremberg Laws on behalf of the U.S. Government. The laws were signed by Adolf Hitler and issued by the Third Reich in 1935. The Nuremberg Laws will become part of the National Archives Gift Collection. http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/MEG9z_0OLyo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1 The Nuremberg Laws were the anti-Semitic … Continue reading The Nuremberg Laws
