Recognition for a job well done, 1962

During the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, communications personnel in the Department of State and at U.S. diplomatic posts overseas handling telegraphic communications went into overdrive.  In addition to the standard day-to-day telegrams flowing back and forth between the Department and its diplomatic and consular posts overseas, the communicators had to take care of … Continue reading Recognition for a job well done, 1962

“Nuts” Redux

By late December 1960 and early January 1961, the last 30 days of the Eisenhower presidency, the U.S. relationship with Fidel Castro-led Cuba had deteriorated to the point where formal relations were about to be severed.  On December 31, 1960, the U.S. embassy in Havana reported that the Cuban “revolutionary press” was carrying stories that … Continue reading “Nuts” Redux

Mining the Archive for Prospective Research

Today’s post is in honor of National Miners Day, celebrated annually on December 6th. This blog is written by John C. Harris, Archives Technician at the National Archives at Philadelphia. Introduction Amidst the era of New Deal regulation and reform, Congress aimed to regulate the coal industry. The Bituminous Coal Conservation Act of 1935 established … Continue reading Mining the Archive for Prospective Research

Records Relating to Armories in the National Register of Historic Places

THE ARMORY IN NEW ULM, MINNESOTA. BUILT IN 1913, IT HOUSES THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD ON BROADWAY STREET NEAR DOWNTOWN. THE TOWN WAS FOUNDED IN 1854 BY A GROUP OF GERMAN IMMIGRANTS. IN THE 1960'S THERE WERE VACANT STORES IN THE BUSINESS SECTION WHICH WAS IN NEED OF RENOVATION. WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT THE AREA WAS … Continue reading Records Relating to Armories in the National Register of Historic Places

We Will Be Remembered: Taylor Swift’s Grandfathers and Their Unsung Military Service

Today's post was written by Katherine Terry, archives technician at the National Archives at St. Louis Keep your helmet, keep your life, son Just a flesh wound, here’s your rifle Crawling up the beaches now “Sir, I think he’s bleeding out” And some things you just can’t speak about - “epiphany” In the vast landscape … Continue reading We Will Be Remembered: Taylor Swift’s Grandfathers and Their Unsung Military Service

Dear Diary; the Official Diaries of Office of Indian Affairs Superintendents, 1907-1917

Superintendent Albert Reagan of the Nett Lake Agency in Northern Minnesota was fed up with Tom Fisher. Fisher, a reservation policeman, was already on thin ice with Reagan when Fisher dropped into the agency office on November 16th and complained that he worked too hard. The superintendent vented to his office diary, listing exactly how … Continue reading Dear Diary; the Official Diaries of Office of Indian Affairs Superintendents, 1907-1917

International Problems With “Paths of Glory,” 1958

Theatrical Release Poster, Paths of Glory, 1957 The 1957 motion picture Paths of Glory, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is one of the more famous anti-war movies of all time.  It is set during World War I.  A French colonel, played by Kirk Douglas, defends three of his soldiers who have been falsely accused of cowardice … Continue reading International Problems With “Paths of Glory,” 1958