photo of a raft on water

Walk the Line

Today's post was written by Alan Walker, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. It’s all well and good to have defined boundaries between countries, but somebody has to go out and make sure that they are accurate. And that’s what survey teams from the Coast and Geodetic Survey did for many years, especially … Continue reading Walk the Line

1953 anti-desegration letter

A Record of Protest

Today’s post is written by M Marie Maxwell, an archives specialist who works at Archives I.   Recently, as a citizen, I attended a local community meeting regarding a contentious proposal, hosted by a city government department. Besides the subject being contentious, attendees against the proposal and the city representatives did not agree on how to voice … Continue reading A Record of Protest

Telegram from Dean Acheson to Douglas MacArthur expressing best wishes on his 70th birthday

Douglas MacArthur Turns 70: Birthday Greetings from the Secretary of State

Today's post was written by David Langbart, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. Douglas MacArthur was born on January 26, 1880. As his 70th birthday approached, he was serving as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) in occupied Japan. In that position he had significant interaction with the Department of State. In … Continue reading Douglas MacArthur Turns 70: Birthday Greetings from the Secretary of State

The Search for Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate Part III

Today's post was written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. This is the final part in a three part series. General Truscott announced on December 29 that Third U.S. Army intelligence officers, after a long search, had uncovered important documents signed by Hitler. In announcing the find, Truscott was … Continue reading The Search for Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate Part III

The Search for Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate, Part II

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. This is the second post of a multi-part series. Hugh Trevor-Roper set out for the American Zone, probably on or about December 21, 1945.[1] On December 21, responding to a phone conversation between British and American counterintelligence officers, the … Continue reading The Search for Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate, Part II

The Search for Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate, Part I

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. This is the first post of a multi-part series. Cover page to Adolf Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate (National Archives identifier 6883511) The three couriers Heinz Lorenz, Wilhelm Zander, and Willi Johannmeier, carrying copies of Adolf Hitler’s political testament, … Continue reading The Search for Hitler’s Political Testament, Personal Will, and Marriage Certificate, Part I

Rose Bowl game program from January 1, 1942

The [Transplanted] 28th Rose Bowl, Oregon State vs. Duke – January 1, 1942

Today's post was written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. The Oregon State College (now Oregon State University) Beavers football team, under Coach Lon Stiner, started the 1941 season winning two games and losing two games.  One of those victories was a 10-0 shutout of Stanford University and one … Continue reading The [Transplanted] 28th Rose Bowl, Oregon State vs. Duke – January 1, 1942

cover for the book The Last Days of Hitler by Hugh Trevor-Roper

Hunting Hitler Part VIII: The Search Ends, September-November 1945

Today's post was written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. This concludes the 8-part series on Hunting Hitler. The person Brigadier Dick White, head of counter-intelligence in the British Zone, would turn to in September 1945 to sort out the details of Hitler’s death was Hugh Trevor-Roper.  Born January … Continue reading Hunting Hitler Part VIII: The Search Ends, September-November 1945

photo of General Patton's casket

The Funeral of General George S. Patton, Jr.

Today's blog was written by David Langbart, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. December 21 is the 70th anniversary of the death of General George S. Patton, Jr., renowned and controversial general and subject of the unforgettable 1970 eponymous motion picture.  While he was without a combat command at the time of his … Continue reading The Funeral of General George S. Patton, Jr.

Hunting Hitler Part VII: The Search Continues, June-September 1945

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. This post is part of a multi-part series. At the end of May 1945, Allied military and diplomatic officials went to Berlin to discuss the occupation of Berlin with Marshal Georgy Zhukov, Soviet commander of the Russian Zone of Occupation. … Continue reading Hunting Hitler Part VII: The Search Continues, June-September 1945