Dean Rusk Remembers World War II, 1968

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. Dean Rusk served as Secretary of State from January 1961 to January 1969, the second longest tenure in that job in U.S. history.  As with many men of his generation, he saw military service … Continue reading Dean Rusk Remembers World War II, 1968

Humor in the Government, c. 1957

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. Robert Bowie served in the Department of State as director of the Policy Planning Staff and as the Department of State representative to the National Security Council Planning Board from 1953 to 1957.  In … Continue reading Humor in the Government, c. 1957

George Kennan Says Farewell to the Policy Planning Staff, 1950

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. Secretary of State George C. Marshall established the Policy Planning Staff in May 1947.  He created it to be the Department of State's office for long range planning, the first in the Department’s history.  … Continue reading George Kennan Says Farewell to the Policy Planning Staff, 1950

Automation in the U.S. Government, 1966: A Look from One Agency

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. As we approach the third decade of the 21st Century, almost all U.S. Government processes and recordkeeping are handled electronically.  Automation began during World War II, expanded with the advent of computers after the … Continue reading Automation in the U.S. Government, 1966: A Look from One Agency

Presidents and Diplomatic Ceremony

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. An earlier post discussed President Theodore Roosevelt’s reaction to a ceremonial statement prepared by the Department of State for his use in welcoming a special ambassador from China.  In addition to expressing his displeasure … Continue reading Presidents and Diplomatic Ceremony

Towards a History of Mexican Americans in World War I, Part Two: Soldiers of the 360th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division in France, 1918-1919

Today’s post is by Victoria-María MacDonald and Emma Taylor, dedicated volunteers at the National Archives at College Park, MD. This is Part 2 of Towards a History of Mexican Americans in World War I. It evolved out of a volunteer project with the textual records of the American Expeditionary Forces. Introduction      Towards a History of … Continue reading Towards a History of Mexican Americans in World War I, Part Two: Soldiers of the 360th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division in France, 1918-1919

Apollo 11: Telling the Story Around the World: Post-mortem

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. As noted in an earlier post, the United States Information Agency (USIA) undertook a major effort relating to the Apollo 11 mission.  USIA established the "Apollo 11 Task Force" and the "Apollo 11 Operations … Continue reading Apollo 11: Telling the Story Around the World: Post-mortem

Apollo 11: Dealing with the Foreign Press

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. An earlier post described plans by the United States Information Agency (USIA) to handle matters relating to the flight of Apollo 11.  USIA took over responsibility from NASA for dealing with the foreign press … Continue reading Apollo 11: Dealing with the Foreign Press

Apollo 11: The Foreign Reaction

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr. completed the first manned landing on the Moon at 1:54 PM EDT on July 21, 1969, when they lifted off the Moon to rejoin … Continue reading Apollo 11: The Foreign Reaction

Apollo 11: Mementos on the Moon

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. At a Department of State senior staff meeting on May 27, 1969, part of the discussion concerned the international implications of objects that might be left on the Moon as part of the Apollo … Continue reading Apollo 11: Mementos on the Moon