Edward Allen Carter Jr., Soldier of Many Continents 

November 11 is Veterans Day. Visit the National Archives website to learn more about our Veterans Day holdings. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. The early 20th century was a time of intense upheaval and paradigm shift change across the … Continue reading Edward Allen Carter Jr., Soldier of Many Continents 

The Origins of Veterans Day

Ahead of Veterans Day the National Archives is honoring those who served our country with a special #ArchivesHashtagParty, #ArchivesSalute! on Friday, November 1, 2024. Visit us on social media to see everything from military service records to heroic photos, highlighting those have defended, protected, and served our Constitution! Today’s post from Paige Weaver is an … Continue reading The Origins of Veterans Day

The Origins of the Record Group

We’re celebrating American Archives Month by looking back on the history of the National Archives.  Card Catalog in the National Archives Central Search Room, 1940. (National Archives Identifier 3493244) If you have ever researched at the National Archives you are familiar with the concept of a record group. Within the National Archives, a record group is basically … Continue reading The Origins of the Record Group

Body of Iron, Soul of Fire: The Statue of Liberty

"The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World," a gift from France, was dedicated on October 28, 1886, and was designated as a National Monument 100 years ago on October 15, 1924.  Since 1886 the Statue of Liberty has stood in New York Harbor. It was a collaboration between sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and French historian … Continue reading Body of Iron, Soul of Fire: The Statue of Liberty

Historic Staff Spotlight: Mario Lopez Feliu

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and American Archives Month, today's Historic Staff Spotlight is on Cuban-born National Archives intern turned staff member, Mario Lopez Feliu. It's from Alyssa Moore in the National Archives History Office. Mario Lopez Feliu preparing a damaged document for repair by lamination, September 20, 1946. (National Archives Identifier 74228333) Mario … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Mario Lopez Feliu

International Coffee Day, October 1 

October 1 is International Coffee Day. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. It’s a beverage that millions of people consume to kick-start their day. You can serve it hot, cold, with or without sugar or milk, and it has a … Continue reading International Coffee Day, October 1 

From Men and Coal to Power & Light: Russell Lee Photos on Display in Washington, DC, Eight Decades Apart

Today’s post by Robert Pines, a public affairs specialist with Public and Media Communications in Washington, DC, is inspired by a photo series he found while browsing the National Archives Catalog. "All the essential characteristics of a coal-mining community—except for the coal dust and the odors—are portrayed." These are the words used in promotional material … Continue reading From Men and Coal to Power & Light: Russell Lee Photos on Display in Washington, DC, Eight Decades Apart

Count Your Lucky Starch: It’s National Potato Month!

Boil them, mash them, stick them in a stew; grow them in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon too! September is National Potato Month, and that amazing spud is so ingrained in our national subconscious that we could scarcely imagine a world without them. Everything from cleansers, home remedies, agriculture, to making them crinkle cut and julienne … Continue reading Count Your Lucky Starch: It’s National Potato Month!

The Records Act

September 17 is Constitution Day. Visit the National Archives website for more information on how to commemorate the day. Today's post looks at the records act Congress passed under the new constitution. Charles Thomson served as the Secretary to Congress throughout the Revolutionary War and during the entire period of the government under the Articles of Confederation. … Continue reading The Records Act

More than Watergate: The Nixon-Sampson Agreement

Today’s post comes from Laurel Gray, a processing intern with the Textual Division at the National Archives in Washington, DC. It’s the first in a series on the archival ramifications of the Watergate scandal.  This year marks the 50th anniversary of Watergate. Many are familiar with the scandal that resulted in President Richard Nixon resigning … Continue reading More than Watergate: The Nixon-Sampson Agreement