Marking the 80th Anniversary of “an ever-famous American victory”: A Look at the US National Archive’s Battle of the Bulge Records

by ncurrie, posted in Finding Aids, Military Records, World War II

Today's post was written by Duncan Bare, archives technician at the National Archives in College Park. Winston S. Churchill famously described the Battle of the Bulge as “undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and […] an ever-famous American victory.”[1]  As the German offensive commenced at around 5:30 am on December 16th, 1944, however, … Continue reading Marking the 80th Anniversary of “an ever-famous American victory”: A Look at the US National Archive’s Battle of the Bulge Records

Honoring the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

by ncurrie, posted in Finding Aids, Military Records, World War II

Today’s post is by Rachael Salyer, Subject Matter Expert for Modern Military Records at the National Archives in College Park, MD. RG 498 UD 584 Box 4021 Artwork File This winter marks the 80th anniversary of the German attack that began the Ardennes Offensive, or the Battle of the Bulge, during World War II. In … Continue reading Honoring the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) in World War II

by ncurrie, posted in African American History, Army, Finding Aids, Hollywood and Film, Women's History, World War II

Today’s post is by Rachael Salyer, Subject Matter Expert for Modern Military Records at the National Archives in College Park, MD. Photograph of WAC Officers Inspecting the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, Feb 15, 1945 (NAID 531249, Local ID: 111-SC-200791) In early 1945, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion became the only Women’s Army Corps … Continue reading The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) in World War II

Designating a Day of Rest, 1908

by ncurrie, posted in State and Foreign Affairs

On March 24, 1908, the Rev. Dr. Wallace Radcliffe, representing a committee of like-minded people, sent a letter to President Theodore Roosevelt as a follow-up to a meeting the day before.  Their concern - government agencies working on Sundays.  They were complaining, specifically, about work at Giesboro Point in Washington, DC, but noted “that recent … Continue reading Designating a Day of Rest, 1908

We Gather Together – Thanksgiving Related Properties in the National Register of Historic Places

by John LeGloahec, posted in African American History, Presidents, Revolutionary War & Early America

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) graders examining Thanksgiving turkeys at Washington, DC market in 1927 (National Archives Identifier 148742769) In 1941, a Joint Resolution of Congress established that Thanksgiving be observed on the fourth Thursday of each month.  There are a number of properties on the National Register of Historic Places … Continue reading We Gather Together – Thanksgiving Related Properties in the National Register of Historic Places

Fragments of a Life: Diego Rivera through the Lens of the FBI

by ncurrie, posted in FBI Records, Fine and Graphic Arts, Hispanic/Latinx History

“Each and every one of my murals contains the expression of my own personality” Diego Rivera [1] Photograph of Diego Rivera pg. 54 HQ [Headquarters]-100-155423 [Classification- Domestic Security] [Diego Rivera] (NAID 16592669) (FOIA Tracking Number RD 46183); Series: Classification 100 (Domestic Security) Headquarters Case Files (Entry P 186); Record Group 65 The National Archives’ Special … Continue reading Fragments of a Life: Diego Rivera through the Lens of the FBI

“Neither Confirm Nor Deny” Before the Glomar Explorer

by ncurrie, posted in CIA & NSA, State and Foreign Affairs

In the early 1970s, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) undertook a covert operation, code-named AZORIAN, to raise a sunken Soviet submarine 16,500 feet from the floor of the Pacific Ocean using a commercial vessel known as the Glomar Explorer.  The effort was only partially successful.  When word of the mission eventually leaked out, the CIA … Continue reading “Neither Confirm Nor Deny” Before the Glomar Explorer

The Mysteries Contained in a Donated Record Group at NARA

by John LeGloahec, posted in Agriculture, Interior/Environment

Today's post is by John C. Harris, Archives Specialist at National Archives at Philadelphia Image from Scrapbook Owned by Bill Grigg. File Unit: Scrapbook, Undated (NAID: n/a, HMS Entry ID: PH-6519); Papers of Alvah C. Duke, Scrapbooks and Other Records, Undated Scrapbook, Record Group 0200; National Archives and Records Administration, Philadelphia, PA. “Calmed by the … Continue reading The Mysteries Contained in a Donated Record Group at NARA

Around the World in 175 Days, 1924: Department of State Contributions to the U.S. Army Flight Around the World: Part X: Congratulations and Thank You

by ncurrie, posted in State and Foreign Affairs, Travel and Tourism

This is the tenth, and final, in a series of blog posts. When we last left our pilots they had returned to North America at Icy Tickle in Labrador.  From there, they flew to Hawkes Bay, Pictou Harbor, and returned to U.S. soil with an unscheduled stop at Mere Point, Maine, on September 5.  Their … Continue reading Around the World in 175 Days, 1924: Department of State Contributions to the U.S. Army Flight Around the World: Part X: Congratulations and Thank You