Today’s post comes from Debra Steidel Wall, Deputy Archivist of the United States. Almost 100 years ago, the United States House and Senate passed the proposed 19th Amendment to the Constitution. A little over a year later the 36th state - Tennessee - ratified it, and the new amendment prohibiting the states and the federal … Continue reading Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote
November 11 marks the annual observance of Veterans Day, a day on which we honor the courageous men and women who have served in the United States military. This year, the National Archives will host a week-long commemoration to honor and pay tribute to Vietnam War veterans. Vietnam-era helicopters will once again be on display … Continue reading “Remembering Vietnam” this Veterans Day
Last night the National Archives Foundation presented our Records of Achievement Award to former First Lady Laura Bush. The award is an annual tribute recognizing individuals who have made a significant impact upon the public’s understanding of the United States and its history. The accomplishments of the awardees reflects the Foundation’s mission by highlighting stories … Continue reading Honoring First Lady Laura Bush
Standing midway between the White House and the U.S. Capitol, the National Archives building at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue is as impressive today as when it opened in 1935. Surrounded by seventy-two Corinthian columns, each over 50 feet high, it is among the most popular photo backdrops for tourists. As we celebrate Archives month, however, I … Continue reading Celebrating American Archives Month
Constitution Day and Citizenship day, celebrated every year on September 17, marks the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution, which defines the U.S. Government and outlines the fundamental rights of all citizens. As the guardians of the nation's Charters of Freedom, including the Constitution, we serve a key role in this yearly celebration. Thirty-one new … Continue reading We the People of the United States…
Our mission at the National Archives is to drive openness, cultivate public participation, and strengthen our nation’s democracy through public access to government records. We are fast approaching the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, a hallmark of the expansion of democracy here in the United States. On March 8, we will open our exhibit, … Continue reading A Call to Action for Scholars of American History: Contribute to Wikipedia
We were honored to partner with our friends of the State Records Management and Archives Department of Vietnam in the creation of the exhibit “Paris Peace Accords: The Way to Peace" which opened today in Hanoi. The exhibit uses textual records, film, photographs, and artifacts to tell the story leading to the negotiations which ended … Continue reading “The Way to Peace”
This year, the National Archives celebrates the 242nd anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with special events in Washington, DC, and at Presidential Libraries nationwide. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence, declaring the United States independent of Great Britain. On July 4, 1776, … Continue reading Celebrate July 4 with the National Archives!
On Saturday, June 9, the National Archives joins with archives around the world to celebrate International Archives Day, a commemoration of the day the International Council on Archives (ICA) was created in 1948. This day is dedicated to promoting the great work of archives and archivists in preserving and providing public access to our communities’ … Continue reading International Archives Day
Today and every day we celebrate the dedication and hard work of our staff and colleagues at the National Archives. Since 1985, the first full week of May has been set aside as Public Service Recognition Week to honor the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. … Continue reading 18th Annual Archivist’s Achievement Awards
