"The father of our country looked on benevolently..."

Special Relationship? Probably Not in 1932

A fixture of U.S. foreign relations in the Twentieth Century has been the “special relationship” between the United States and Great Britain.  Certainly since World War II, and perhaps even earlier, the diplomatic, cultural, economic, military, and intelligence cooperation and relationship between the two countries were unparalleled in modern history.  Whether that remains true today … Continue reading Special Relationship? Probably Not in 1932

The Perils of Royal Protocol, 1914

On June 4, 1914, U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain Walter Hines Page presented the following individuals to King George V: Mr. Ralph Page (the ambassador’s son)Mrs. Ralph PageMrs. Edward Bell (wife of the Second Secretary of the embassy)Miss Esther ClevelandMrs. Randolph MordecaiMiss Margarita PenningtonMiss Dorothy DoubledayMiss Mary Sanger Presentations at Court, June 4, 1914 (NAID … Continue reading The Perils of Royal Protocol, 1914

Women in Diplomatic Service, 1924

Today's post was written by David Langbart, archivist in Textual Reference at the National Archives at College Park Until 1922, neither the United States nor Great Britain included women in their diplomatic services.  There was a major difference, however, in the practices of the two countries.  In the United States it was by tradition; in … Continue reading Women in Diplomatic Service, 1924

Daylight Saving Time: The Early Experiences III: Great Britain

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 - here - described the request for information about French, British, and German experience with Daylight Saving Time made to the Department of State by Marcus Marks, President of the Borough … Continue reading Daylight Saving Time: The Early Experiences III: Great Britain

US Civil Service Commission response regarding the employment of married women

Married Women in the U.S. Government, c. 1945

By David Langbart One never knows what will be found in the files.  While undertaking holdings maintenance on some records, the document described here appeared. In September 1945, just after the formal end of World War II, the British embassy in Washington sent a diplomatic note to the Department of State requesting some information.  In … Continue reading Married Women in the U.S. Government, c. 1945

Thanksgiving around the world

By David Langbart Thanksgiving is considered by many to be the quintessential American holiday.  As Thanksgiving 1918 approached, Americans had more reason than the usual to give thanks.  On November 11, 1918, Germany signed the armistice that brought World War I to an effective end.  In the wake of that event, the United States made … Continue reading Thanksgiving around the world