Today’s post is written by Alan Walker, a processing archivist in Research Services. Since 2010, the Record Group 286 Processing Team has been steadily transforming the 11,700 cubic feet of paper records of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) housed here at Archives II. A lot of preparation goes into such a massive project … Continue reading Our Mission: The Missions of AID, Part I
Boston Tea Party Etiquette Lesson 2: Swallowing the Bitter Draught in Rhode Island
By Monique Politowski In 1774, British Parliament implemented the Coercive Acts in response to the destruction of British property by colonists during the Boston Tea Party. Paul Revere reproduced an engraving from a London newspaper that depicted the relationship between the British government and America, and he circulated it among the colonies. A copy of this … Continue reading Boston Tea Party Etiquette Lesson 2: Swallowing the Bitter Draught in Rhode Island
Croatia and the Voice of America
Today's post is written by Ashby Crowder. A few days ago the Washington Post ran a story about the recent closing of the Voice of America’s (VOA) Croatian language radio broadcast service. If you’re interested in the history of Voice of America in the former Yugoslavia, the National Archives at College Park has some records … Continue reading Croatia and the Voice of America
Presidential greetings, c. 1933
By David Langbart The Great Depression had a serious negative impact on the situation of American diplomatic and consular officials overseas. As the end of the first year of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency drew near, the President sent the following note to Secretary of State Cordell Hull: MEMORANDUM FROM … Continue reading Presidential greetings, c. 1933
Boston Tea Party Etiquette
Today's post is written by Monique Politowski, and is part of her ongoing series on the Federalists. Today is the 238th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. On December 16, 1773, men dressed as Native Americans and wearing disguises, destroyed British owned tea by throwing it into the water of Griffin’s Wharf in Boston. Archives II has … Continue reading Boston Tea Party Etiquette
Uncle Walt, Papa, and The Prom Queen of Soul
By Jason Clingerman What do Walt Disney, Ernest Hemingway, and Whitney Houston have in common? They all served with the American Red Cross! Disney served as a Red Cross ambulance driver in France during World War I. Likewise, Hemingway served as an ambulance driver in Italy during World War I. In fact, Hemingway's service was … Continue reading Uncle Walt, Papa, and The Prom Queen of Soul
Thank You!
Yesterday, the editors of this blog had the honor of being among the recipients of the Archivist’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement. We were thrilled to be recognized for our work on The Text Message and want to say thank you to our readers and contributors. The ceremony, held in the Adrienne C. Thomas Auditorium at … Continue reading Thank You!
“Send my Daddy home”
Today's post is written by Katie Hines, a processing archivist with military records in College Park. In December 1969, six-year-old Shannon Hensley wrote to Captain William Q. Sinnott, commanding officer of the 363rd Transportation Company, 92nd Battalion, 80th General Support Group, Da Nang, requesting him to allow her daddy to return home for Christmas. Her … Continue reading “Send my Daddy home”
Go Army! Beat Navy!
By T. Juliette Arai With the annual Army-Navy game less than two weeks away, I thought I would share an interesting letter I found among the records of the Adjutant General’s Office (Record Group 94). 2nd Lieutenant Robert C. Foy, 8th U.S. Infantry, sent a letter to Major John A. Johnson, Assistant Adjutant General, on … Continue reading Go Army! Beat Navy!
Thanksgiving in Rome, 1944
By Jason Clingerman During World War II, the American National Red Cross (ANRC) provided many services to enlisted men serving abroad in Europe and elsewhere. Importantly, they set up clubs for enlisted men to enjoy for recreational purposes in order to take a break from their wartime duties. One of these clubs was in Rome. … Continue reading Thanksgiving in Rome, 1944