Author: ncurrie

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

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

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

Before the Hatch Act

by ncurrie, posted in Executive Branch, State and Foreign Affairs

All U.S. Government employees are, or should be, familiar with the provisions of the Hatch Act.  Enacted in 1939, and amended several times since, the Hatch Act (formally titled “AN ACT To prevent pernicious political activities”) limits certain political activities of federal employees. ​The law was enacted to ensure that federal programs are administered in a … Continue reading Before the Hatch Act

Hoover vs. Little Al of the FBI

by ncurrie, posted in Arts & Entertainment, FBI Records, Fine and Graphic Arts

Today's post was written by James Mathis, Archivist with the Special Access and FOIA Program at the National Archives at College Park In celebration of National Comic Book Day on September 25, this post highlights comics in NARA’s FBI records. The records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Record Group 65 document the … Continue reading Hoover vs. Little Al of the FBI

Surveillance of a Worker’s Rights Icon: Emma Tenayuca’s FBI File

by ncurrie, posted in Agriculture, FBI Records, Hispanic/Latinx History, Women's History

Today's post was written by Daniel Dancis, Special Access and FOIA Program Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, MD The National Archives’ Special Access and FOIA Program recently made available online the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) case file on Emma Tenayuca (1916-1999) (NAID 16843150 and NAID 16843151). Tenayuca was a labor leader … Continue reading Surveillance of a Worker’s Rights Icon: Emma Tenayuca’s FBI File