Constitution 225: Blueprint for the Electoral College

Today’s post was written by National Archives volunteer Paul Richter. It is part of a series tracing the development of the Constitution in honor of the 225th anniversary of this document on September 17, 2012. By the end of August, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were tired. They had been convening and debating for … Continue reading Constitution 225: Blueprint for the Electoral College

Constitution 225: No crown for you!

Today’s post was written by National Archives volunteer Paul Richter. It is part of a series tracing the development of the Constitution in honor of the 225th anniversary of this document on September 17, 2012. Have you ever dreamed of being addressed as King or Queen or Prince or Princess or Viscount or Duchess or … Continue reading Constitution 225: No crown for you!

Constitution 225: The Committee of Detail

  Today’s post was written by National Archives volunteer Paul Richter. It is part of a series tracing the development of the Constitution. Don't miss our special programs, events, and social media outreach this September in honor of the 225th anniversary of the Constitution. By July 23, 1787, the Constitutional Convention had been meeting for … Continue reading Constitution 225: The Committee of Detail

Facial Hair Friday: Hang ten, Pat Nixon!

Some time ago, a Facebook fan expressed thanks that we would never combine our First Ladies Friday with our Facial Hair Friday. To which we replied, never say never! Of course, the facial hair in this photograph is not on First Lady Pat Nixon, but that scraggly surfer goatee is in very close proximity to … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Hang ten, Pat Nixon!

A warning from the Surgeon General about air conditioning

Rick Blondo, management and program analyst at the National Archives, reflects on the logistics of maintaining records in the sweltering humidity that is summer in Washington, DC. Summer in Washington can be a wilting experience for tourists and locals alike, but not so for the holdings maintained in the National Archives. The National Archives was … Continue reading A warning from the Surgeon General about air conditioning

Constitution 225: The President

  Today’s post was written by National Archives volunteer Paul Richter. It is part of a series tracing the development of the Constitution in honor of the 225th anniversary of this document on September 17, 2012. The President of the United States is one of the most famous positions in the world. But the first … Continue reading Constitution 225: The President

Facial Hair Friday: Presley, Presley is our cry!

Do sideburns set your heart aflutter? It's been 35 years since Elvis Presley died, but judging from the media coverage and chatter on Twitter with #ElvisWeek, his fan base is still enthusiastic. But the some of the most passionate fan letters about the bewhiskered singer can be found in the National Archives. In 1958, Linda … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Presley, Presley is our cry!

Korean War exhibit in Seoul features National Archives images

When Harry S. Truman Library Director Mike Devine flew to Seoul, South Korea, the last thing he expected to see was an enormous outdoor exhibit featuring photos from the holdings of the National Archives. “In the last decade or so, we’ve had quite a number of researchers from Korea to the Truman Library to copy … Continue reading Korean War exhibit in Seoul features National Archives images

Hats off to Bess Truman!

Today's guest post comes from Tammy Kelly, archivist and hat aficionado at the Truman Presidential Library. I admit it—I love hats. I have several vintage hats in my closet, but I find them challenging to wear because sometimes, I just don’t know how to wear them. People no longer wear hats on a regular basis, … Continue reading Hats off to Bess Truman!

The Greatest Athlete of the First Half of the Century

Jim Thorpe was stripped of his Olympic gold medals in 1913, but it was not because of illegal drugs, cheating, or bribery. It was because of baseball. Thorpe was a Native American from Oklahoma. He went to the Sac and Fox Indian Agency school in Stroud, OK, but dropped out. Later he attended the Carlisle … Continue reading The Greatest Athlete of the First Half of the Century