Service photograph of John Rice

Where to Lay an American Hero? The Burial Controversy of John Rice (Ho-Chunk)

Today’s post is written by Cody White, Archivist and Subject Matter Expert for Native American Related Records. Author’s note: I would like to extend a special thanks to those colleagues who went above and beyond to help with this post; Tammy Williams, Archivist at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library; Rose Buchanan, Archivist and Subject … Continue reading Where to Lay an American Hero? The Burial Controversy of John Rice (Ho-Chunk)

Pay one Price – Ride all Day! Amusement Parks in the National Register of Historic Places

CALIFORNIA--SANTA CRUZ (National Archives Identifier 543212) As the calendar turns to the fifth month of the year, outdoor activities become more frequent with the advent of warmer weather.  Many schools will also hold field trips for classes to local amusement parks and people in general will head to beaches, parks, and go on vacation in … Continue reading Pay one Price – Ride all Day! Amusement Parks in the National Register of Historic Places

Spring has Sprung! Records relating to Gardens in the National Register of Historic Places

Today’s post is by John LeGloahec, Archives Specialist in the Electronics Records Division at the National Archives in College Park, MD. A view of the Washington Monument rising above blossoming cherry trees along the Tidal Basin (National Archives Identifier 6384218) If you live in the National Capital Region, you may be familiar with the scene … Continue reading Spring has Sprung! Records relating to Gardens in the National Register of Historic Places

Presidential Humor, 1944

On April 12, 1944, the U.S. legation in Jidda, Saudi Arabia, dispatched a despatch to the Department of State.  Enclosed was a sealed envelope containing a letter from King Ibn Saud to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  The legation was not provided with a copy of the letter, so it could not provide a translation along … Continue reading Presidential Humor, 1944

Under the Water, Through the Mountain, Deep Underground – Records of Tunnels in the National Register of Historic Places

Payette River Scenic Byway - Payette River Rail Tunnel (National Archives Identifier 7721000) Growing up in New York, we would frequently travel through the Lincoln Tunnel, connecting Manhattan with New Jersey.  There is a scene in the Stephen King book, The Stand, where characters escape New York by making their way across the roofs of … Continue reading Under the Water, Through the Mountain, Deep Underground – Records of Tunnels in the National Register of Historic Places

FDR standing with sunglasses on, 2 men on either side of him, one is the ship captain in dress whites uniform

Keeping in Touch with a Traveling President, 1940

In today’s world, a President of the United States travelling anywhere in the World is constantly in touch with the White House and government agencies through sophisticated and secure means of communications.  The President is literally never out of touch.  This has not always been true. While Presidents have always left Washington, DC, to travel … Continue reading Keeping in Touch with a Traveling President, 1940

Vote Early, Vote Often! Election Day Records in the National Register of Historic Places

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY (National Archives Identifier 545384) Election Day is the annual day set by law for the election of public officials. It is statutorily set by the Federal Government as “the Tuesday after the first Monday in the month of November.” In the records of the National Register of Historic Places, there are about … Continue reading Vote Early, Vote Often! Election Day Records in the National Register of Historic Places

Washington DC Weather and Diplomatic Protocol, 1959

Situated as it is in the mid-Atlantic region, the weather in Washington, DC is extremely variable.  The region experiences four distinct seasons a year, but within each season there can be wild swings in the weather.  This is particularly true in winter and summer.  During the winter, the city can experience days or weeks that … Continue reading Washington DC Weather and Diplomatic Protocol, 1959

Do We Have a Budget?

Until 1980, the failure by Congress to enact funding legislation for U.S. government agencies did not lead to a shutdown.  In that year, however, an interpretation of the 1884 Antideficiency Act by Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti determined that the lack of a funding legislation requires that U.S. government agencies curtail their activities and services, cease … Continue reading Do We Have a Budget?