Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. It had been a long, hot summer for Elbridge Gerry, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and his colleagues in 1787 at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. They had come to Philadelphia in May to improve upon the Articles … Continue reading Elbridge Gerry and the Constitution, 1787-1788
Stories of American Escapees from Prisoner of War Camp 59, Servigliano, Part II
Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. While many American escapees returned to Allied lines in 1943, once having escaped from Camp 59, as was seen in Part I, many were not able to return until 1944. These are some of their stories. Left, Camp … Continue reading Stories of American Escapees from Prisoner of War Camp 59, Servigliano, Part II
Stories of American Escapees from Prisoner of War Camp 59, Servigliano, Italy – Part I
Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. At the time of the Italian Armistice on September 8, 1943, there were almost 80,000 Allied prisoners of war in Italian camps. Among these prisoners of war were 1,310 Americans; many were soldiers captured in North Africa and … Continue reading Stories of American Escapees from Prisoner of War Camp 59, Servigliano, Italy – Part I
Theodore Roosevelt Schools the Department of State, 1908
Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. In December 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt sent the Department of State a letter in which he admonished that agency for preparing a set of remarks for his use in greeting a foreign visitor that … Continue reading Theodore Roosevelt Schools the Department of State, 1908
T.V. Pearson and the Parachute Scheme
Today’s post is written by Richard Elsom, an Archives Technician at the National Archives at Denver. In the West, wildland fire is a regular threat to populated spaces as well as the rugged backcountry found in forests and wilderness areas. In 1939, in an effort to improve response time on fires in remote areas, the … Continue reading T.V. Pearson and the Parachute Scheme
“Let’s Make a Movie:” The Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and the documentary Onore al Merito (To Whom Honor is Due), 1946
Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. During World War II, over 100,000 Italians helped at least 10,000 Allied escapees and evaders, by providing material and financial assistance to them in their efforts in avoiding being seized by the Germans and Fascists, as well as … Continue reading “Let’s Make a Movie:” The Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and the documentary Onore al Merito (To Whom Honor is Due), 1946
John Foster Dulles Enters Duty as Secretary of State
Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. John Foster Dulles became Secretary of State on January 21, 1953. By the time he attained that position, Dulles had amassed considerable foreign policy experience both in and out of government. The grandson of … Continue reading John Foster Dulles Enters Duty as Secretary of State
The Council of National Defense: Now a Little Known or Appreciated World War I Federal Agency
Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. Among the wonderful sources at the National Archives for the study of World War I are the records of the Council of National Defense (Record Group 62). This Council touched the lives of every American, whether they realized … Continue reading The Council of National Defense: Now a Little Known or Appreciated World War I Federal Agency
Department of State Visa Records in the National Archives
Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. Among the more popular genealogical-type records among the files of the Department of State are those relating to visas. Except for a brief time during the American Civil War (1861-1865), alien visitors did not … Continue reading Department of State Visa Records in the National Archives
The Dunkirk Story, May-June 1940, and A French Perspective
Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. During early May 1940, British, French, Dutch, and Belgian forces were fighting to stem the German advances, which had begun May 10, into France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. During May 11, much of the Dutch Army was put … Continue reading The Dunkirk Story, May-June 1940, and A French Perspective