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”
At the National Archives, leadership is shown throughout the agency by staff at all levels -- senior executives, supervisors, specialists, technicians, students, and volunteers. Our leaders are important to fulfilling our mission on a daily basis, and crucial to the transformative changes we've set in motion at the National Archives. For our agency, it's important … Continue reading Thinking About Leadership
This week, public interest groups, media organizations, government agencies, and citizens celebrate Sunshine Week and the Annual Freedom of Information Day. As part of Sunshine Week the White House has launched a new "Good Government" portal as a resource for citizens. At public events and congressional hearings this week, leadership of the National Archives -- … Continue reading Sunshine Week 2011
I'm a big fan of Wikipedia. It's often the first place I go for information. According to a recent Pew Internet report, I'm also not alone. Forty-two percent of all Americans also turn to Wikipedia for information online. Every month, almost 80 million people visit Wikipedia and more than 91,000 active contributors have worked on … Continue reading Celebrating 10 Years of Wikipedia
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
On Monday, President Barack Obama requested $422,501,000 for the National Archives and Records Administration for Fiscal Year 2012. This is an 8.2 percent decrease from the President's budget request of $460,287,000 for Fiscal Year 2011. The reality is we've got to do more with less. This fiscal situation is not likely an aberration, but a … Continue reading Doing More With Less
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
In his State of the Union address last week, President Barack Obama said, "We can't win the future with a government of the past." He called for a reorganization of government to give the people "a government that's more competent and more efficient." At the National Archives, we are meeting the President's call to action. … Continue reading A National Archives of the Future
