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

Harvest Time!  Agricultural Records in the National Register of Historic Places

U.S. Department of Agriculture building (National Archives Identifier 148743055) For all of you people out there who are sipping your pumpkin spice lattes (personally, not a fan), welcome to autumn, the season of harvests, leaf peeping, crisp walks, and trick-or-treating.  There are many properties in the National Register that are specific to agriculture, farms, barns, … Continue reading Harvest Time!  Agricultural Records in the National Register of Historic Places

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?

“How about a little football game?” The Albuquerque Indian School’s Dominating Football Run, 1926-1931

Today’s post is written by Cody White, Archivist and Subject Matter Expert for Native American Related Records. A new exhibit showcasing the impact sports have had on America has opened at the National Archives Museum. All American: The Power of Sports spans centuries of United States history and features more than 75 original items from … Continue reading “How about a little football game?” The Albuquerque Indian School’s Dominating Football Run, 1926-1931

The Constitution

Guiding Document – Records Related to the Constitution in the National Register of Historic Places

Constitution Day (National Archives Identifier 231832917) In the month of September, the nation observes Constitution Day, the day that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution, as well as individuals who have become U.S. citizens. Constitution Day is observed on September 17 when the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia, … Continue reading Guiding Document – Records Related to the Constitution in the National Register of Historic Places

Sports in Courts: Savagery on Sunday

Today's post was written by Matthew DiBiase, archives specialist at the National Archives at Philadelphia. A new exhibit showcasing the impact sports have had on America has opened at the National Archives Museum. All American: The Power of Sports spans centuries of United States history and features more than 75 original items from National Archives’ … Continue reading Sports in Courts: Savagery on Sunday

old US embassy- small house with large tower in background, snow covered

The Question of Integrating U.S. Forces in Greenland, 1948

An earlier post discussed a late 1949/early 1950 exchange of correspondence between the Department of Defense and the Department of State about potential international implications of the integration of the U.S. armed forces in the late 1940s.  Defense officials wanted to know if there were “political objections to the stationing of individual Negroes or non-segregated … Continue reading The Question of Integrating U.S. Forces in Greenland, 1948

Hitting the Books! Colleges and Universities in the Records of the National Register of Historic Places

Colleges and Universities - New York University - New York University knitting course (National Archives Identifier 26427369) August is the traditional time of year when students head off to college (and regular school).  There are a number of college and university properties in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).  My older son is a … Continue reading Hitting the Books! Colleges and Universities in the Records of the National Register of Historic Places

Black and white photograph of a ship

Over 500 Logbooks of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Ships Now Available in the National Archives Catalog

Today’s post was written by Gina Kim Perry, Archivist in Digitization Archival Services at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. USC&GSS Hassler (1893), named after Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler, who was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson as the first head of the Survey of Coast in 1807 (NOAA Photo Library) Introduction Newly available in the National Archives … Continue reading Over 500 Logbooks of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Ships Now Available in the National Archives Catalog

Give Us Back Our Junk: Space Debris, 1968

According to the Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1963, finding states are obligated to return space objects landing on their territory to the launching country.  In other words, pieces of American rockets and satellites … Continue reading Give Us Back Our Junk: Space Debris, 1968