Tony Dedman school portrait

Remembering Tony Dedman

Today’s post is written by Cody White, Archivist at the National Archives at Denver and Subject Matter Expert for Native American Related Records 58,318. That’s how many names are carved into the reflective black marble of the wall, or were as of 2017 according to the National Park Service. Today, I just want to talk … Continue reading Remembering Tony Dedman

Mark Twain Goes Overseas in the 1950s

Today's post was written by David Langbart, archivist in Textual Reference at the National Archives at College Park, MD. The actor Hal Holbrook, who died in January of 2021, had a long and distinguished career.  He appeared on stage and in many motion pictures and television shows.  Those of us of a certain age especially … Continue reading Mark Twain Goes Overseas in the 1950s

Tee It Up! Golf Courses in the National Register of Historic Places

This post is part of an ongoing “road trip” featuring records from the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 – 2017 (National Archives ID 20812721), a series within Record Group 79: Records of the National Park Service. 140 Hole No. 2 of the 18 Hole Golf Course, 1949 (National Archives … Continue reading Tee It Up! Golf Courses in the National Register of Historic Places

photograph from file of Eng Goon

Bringing the Past to Light through the Chinese Exclusion Act Case Files

Today’s post is by Katherine Stinson, Archives Specialist in Motion Pictures at the National Archives in College Park, MD. When National Archives staff began working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was looking for new telework projects to do. One of the projects I discovered, through email updates from the National Archives Catalog, … Continue reading Bringing the Past to Light through the Chinese Exclusion Act Case Files

The Surreal Suspect: The FBI’s Brief Investigation of Salvador Dalí

Today’s post is by Megan Dwyre, Special Access and FOIA Program Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Salvador Dalí was born 117 years ago today on May 11, 1904 in Figueras, Spain. This post highlights Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Headquarters case file 100-142631 on the famous Surrealist painter (NAID 16591992). In … Continue reading The Surreal Suspect: The FBI’s Brief Investigation of Salvador Dalí

The National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement’s Report on Lawlessness in Law Enforcement

Today’s post is by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Introduction In 1929, President Hoover established a commission to undertake the first comprehensive national study of crime, the American criminal justice system, and law enforcement in the United States. This commission in the two years that followed would … Continue reading The National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement’s Report on Lawlessness in Law Enforcement

“A Stupid Insult:” MAD Magazine and the British Royal Family, 1959

Today's post was written by David Langbart, archivist in Textual Reference at the National Archives at College Park, MD. In June 1959, the U.S. embassy in London sent a despatch with the subject line “Denigration of the British Royal Family in American Cartoon Magazine.”  With it, the embassy’s public affairs officer, F. Bowen Evans, enclosed … Continue reading “A Stupid Insult:” MAD Magazine and the British Royal Family, 1959

Operation JACK STAY: US Marines in the Forest of Assassins

Section I: Enemy at the Outskirts On February 27, 1966, the Panamanian cargo ship, SS Lorinda, was sailing up the Long Tau River heading towards Saigon. The Long Tau is the deep channel passage to Saigon, but is one of several rivers that flow down from Saigon into the South China Sea. Before entering the … Continue reading Operation JACK STAY: US Marines in the Forest of Assassins

President Kennedy and Robert Kennedy standing facing each other

The Ex-Men Did It: 60th Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion

Today's post was written by Christen Brown, Archives Technician in the Special Media Division at the National Archives in College Park, MD. April 17 to April 20, 2021 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion when Cuban refugees banded together to invade Cuba and overthrow the Castro regime. When the Cuban Revolution … Continue reading The Ex-Men Did It: 60th Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion

Lucy, Desi to Get 8 Million w/picture of Desi Arnaz & Lucille Ball smiling at each other

“Lucy, I’m Home!”…from the Army

Today's post was written by Christen Brown, Archives Technician in the Special Media Division at the National Archives in College Park, MD. Desiderio Alberto Arnaz, born March 2, 1917 in Santiago de Cuba, was an actor, musician, and producer best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the television sitcom I Love Lucy.  But, … Continue reading “Lucy, I’m Home!”…from the Army