“I never wanted to do anything as badly in my life:” Bess Truman Bobs Her Hair

Today's post comes from Tammy Williams, Archivist and Social Media Coordinator at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. These days, everyone seems to be struggling with their hair. Hair salon closures due to the coronavirus pandemic have men with shaggy hair, or just shaving it all off, and women contemplating at-home trims. But … Continue reading “I never wanted to do anything as badly in my life:” Bess Truman Bobs Her Hair

Facial Hair Friday: Simón Bolívar, Latin American Revolutionary

Today’s Facial Hair Friday post comes from Danielle Sklarew from the National Archives History Office. There are no photographs of Simón Bolívar since photography did not exist during his life; however, almost every existing painting depicts him with intense sideburns. The painting of Bolívar hanging in President Harry Truman’s office during his Presidency was no … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Simón Bolívar, Latin American Revolutionary

Bill of Rights Day

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day which commemorates the ratification of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.  As we celebrate the 225th anniversary of the Bill of Rights on December 15—Bill of Rights Day—let’s take a look back at the origins and history of that day. On December 15, 1791, the first 10 amendments … Continue reading Bill of Rights Day

Flight of a Sadako Crane

Today's post comes from Ben Jordi, Public Affairs Specialist in Strategy and Communications, at the National Archives in College Park, MD. Growing up, Clifton Truman Daniel never talked to his grandfather, Harry S. Truman, about his role in the war or the atomic bombings. “Our family met like any other family: on long weekends and … Continue reading Flight of a Sadako Crane

The Plot to Kill President Truman

Today’s post comes from Eric Rhodes, an intern in the National Archives History Office in Washington, DC. Assassins’ bullets have claimed the lives of four United States Presidents, and several other Presidents survived attempts on their lives. It is not widely known, but Harry Truman was the target of such a conspiracy. Thirteen years before … Continue reading The Plot to Kill President Truman

Hoover Library: Honoring Iowa’s only President

October is American Archives Month! We're celebrating the work of archivists and the importance of archives with a series of blog posts about the Presidential libraries. The records created by Presidents while in office will become part of the National Archives, and eventually will be used by researchers. Here's how it happens!  Herbert Hoover opened … Continue reading Hoover Library: Honoring Iowa’s only President

The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library: The 30-Year Journey

October is American Archives Month! We're celebrating the work of archivists and the importance of archives with a series of blog posts about the Presidential libraries. The records created by Presidents while in office will become part of the National Archives, and eventually will be used by researchers. Here's how it happens!  Today’s post comes … Continue reading The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library: The 30-Year Journey

On Display: The Japanese Instrument of Surrender

Today’s post comes from Darlene McClurkin, from the National Archives Exhibits staff. On September 2, 1945, in a formal ceremony aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan, representatives of the Japanese government signed this Instrument of Surrender, officially ending World War II. The terms called for “the unconditional surrender to the Allied Powers of … Continue reading On Display: The Japanese Instrument of Surrender

Take a break with Presidential vacations!

Need a vacation? This summer, go on a vacation with 13 of our Presidents!  You can choose your own adventure on Instagram and chat with us on Twitter on August 19 using #POTUSvacation.   Vacations are an integral part of Presidential history, a way for Presidents to relax and recharge outside of Washington. Many of … Continue reading Take a break with Presidential vacations!

Truman, Bacall, and That Photograph

By Jim Worsham Harry S. Truman had been Vice President of the United States for only a few weeks when he showed up on February 10, 1945, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. He had agreed to take part in a show for some 800 servicemen. For his part of the show, Truman … Continue reading Truman, Bacall, and That Photograph