Tag: FDR

“In the Interest of the Efficiency of the Foreign Service”: Changes in U.S. Diplomatic Representation Abroad After the Election of 1944

by ddancis, posted in Elections, Presidents, State and Foreign Affairs

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. An earlier post discussed President Franklin D. Roosevelt's decision to request the formal resignation of all chiefs of U.S. diplomatic missions overseas (ambassadors and ministers), both career and non-career, after the election of 1940 … Continue reading “In the Interest of the Efficiency of the Foreign Service”: Changes in U.S. Diplomatic Representation Abroad After the Election of 1944

Remembering Pearl Harbor

by dlangbar, posted in FBI Records, World War II

By David Langbart In the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 71 years ago today, agencies of the U.S. government swung into action.  The Army and Navy immediately went on a war footing as did American diplomats in the Department of State and at embassies and consulates around the world.  Since the formal … Continue reading Remembering Pearl Harbor

Presidential greetings, c. 1933

by dlangbar, posted in Presidents, State and Foreign Affairs

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

Semper Fi

by rwaldman, posted in Navy, Marines, & Coast Guard, Presidents

By Robin Waldman Agency correspondence files are like treasure troves. One never knows what one will find inside. Unlike program or subject files, correspondence files often vary widely by topic, capturing the inquiries, suggestions and outrages of the American public. Records of the U.S. Marine Corps are, of course, no exception and the series "General Correspondence, … Continue reading Semper Fi