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
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
Earlier this fall, I was struck by the photograph below, located on the wall outside the Still Pictures Room in our College Park facility. Capt. Edward J. Steichen, USNR, (retired), photographic expert on island platform, studies his surroundings for one of his outstanding photographs of life aboard an aircraft carrier. Capt. Steichen held the rank … Continue reading History Through the Camera Lens
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
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of speaking with Robert Poole, author of On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery. In the following video, Mr. Poole discusses his experience as a researcher at the National Archives and several Presidential Libraries, as well as the very first burial at Arlington National Cemetery. http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/pmzrE0D_obY?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6 What … Continue reading On Hallowed Ground: The History of Arlington National Cemetery
