Hitler’s Final Words

This post comes from Greg Bradsher's latest article “Hitler’s Final Words” in Prologue magazine. Bradsher is a senior archivist at the National Archives and a frequent contributor to Prologue. A little after 11 p.m., Gertrude Junge, the 25-year-old secretary to Adolf Hitler, woke from a one-hour nap, and, thinking it was time for the nightly tea with her … Continue reading Hitler’s Final Words

On Exhibit: sketch of the RMS Lusitania’s lifeboat storage mechanism

Today's post comes from Zach Kopin, an intern in the National Archives History Office in Washington, DC.  To honor the pivotal role its sinking played in turning U.S. popular opinion against Germany during World War I, a sketch of the RMS Lusitania’s lifeboat storage mechanism is now on display at the National Archives in Washington, … Continue reading On Exhibit: sketch of the RMS Lusitania’s lifeboat storage mechanism

Opening the Doors to Debate

Today’s post comes from Kate Mollan, archivist in the Center for Legislative Archives in Washington, DC.  From the earliest days of the First Congress there were clamors for the Senate to open the doors to its chamber so that the public and press could witness the proceedings. Unlike the House of Representatives, the early Senate chose … Continue reading Opening the Doors to Debate

Remembering James Berton “Bert” Rhoads, Fifth Archivist of the United States (1968-1979)

Today's post comes from Alex Nieuwsma, an intern in the National Archives History Office in Washington, DC. On April 7, 2015, former Archivist of the United States James “Bert” Rhoads passed away at the age of 86. James Berton Rhoads was born on September 17, 1928, in Sioux City, Iowa. He graduated with a B.A. from … Continue reading Remembering James Berton “Bert” Rhoads, Fifth Archivist of the United States (1968-1979)

The other FDR Memorial

On April 12, 1965, a small group of people gathered at the triangular plot on Pennsylvania Avenue near the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. They were family and close friends of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and were assembled to dedicate a memorial to the late President on the 20th anniversary of his death. The memorial … Continue reading The other FDR Memorial

Ending the Bloodshed: The Last Surrenders of the Civil War

This post was originally published as an article by Trevor Plante in the Spring 2015 issue of Prologue magazine. Trevor K. Plante is chief of the Reference Services Branch at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. He is a supervisory archivist who specializes in 19th- and early 20th-century military records and is an active lecturer and a frequent … Continue reading Ending the Bloodshed: The Last Surrenders of the Civil War

On Exhibit: “Lady Hooch Hunter”

Today's post comes from Zach Kopin, an intern in the National Archives History Office in Washington, DC. A new exhibit on America’s connection to alcohol is now on display at the National Archives. “Spirited Republic: Alcohol and American History” is about the United States’ love-hate relationship with the “demon rum.” Bruce Bustard, the exhibit's curator, … Continue reading On Exhibit: “Lady Hooch Hunter”

Happy “Other” Birthday, National Archives!

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed legislation establishing the National Archives as an independent agency on June 19, 1934, which is our agency's official "birthday." But, we also celebrate April 1, 1985, as our "other birthday." Why? Read on. Although the National Archives was created as an independent agency, Congress transferred it to the newly created General … Continue reading Happy “Other” Birthday, National Archives!