Cold War Humor, 1953

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin died on March 5, 1953, at 9:50PM Moscow time.  First word of his final illness was announced by Soviet authorities a day earlier.  The Soviet bulletin announced that Stalin had … Continue reading Cold War Humor, 1953

Tribute to a Fallen Diplomat

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park.  February 14 marks the thirty-ninth anniversary of the murder of U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Adolph "Spike" Dubs in Kabul, Afghanistan.  On February 14, 1979, Ambassador Dubs was kidnapped while being driven through the streets … Continue reading Tribute to a Fallen Diplomat

Nikita Khrushchev’s Memoirs: Fallout?

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park.  Three previous posts discussed the publication of the two volumes of memoirs by Nikita Khrushchev, the second volume appearing in mid-1974. The journalist Strobe Talbott served as editor/translator for both books. It appears that Soviet … Continue reading Nikita Khrushchev’s Memoirs: Fallout?

Passports and Travel Documents for Pilgrims: Gold Star Travel

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. On March 2, 1929, President Calvin Coolidge signed PL 70-952.  That law authorized the War Department to arrange for trips, designated as pilgrimages, by the mothers and widows to the overseas graves of soldiers, … Continue reading Passports and Travel Documents for Pilgrims: Gold Star Travel

Myrna Loy: Her World Beyond Hollywood, Part II 1950-1993

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park On February 4, 1950,  Howland H. Sargeant, then Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs wrote George V. Allen, then U. S. Ambassador to Yugoslavia, that “Miss Myrna Loy has been here for the past week…doing more … Continue reading Myrna Loy: Her World Beyond Hollywood, Part II 1950-1993

Myrna Loy, Her World Beyond Hollywood, Part I 1905-1949

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park Myrna Loy was an American actress whose 129 movie career made her a household name for decades.  A New York Times reporter wrote in November 1987, that “During the many years Myrna Loy reigned as one of America’s … Continue reading Myrna Loy, Her World Beyond Hollywood, Part I 1905-1949

The Adventures of American Diplomat Walter William Orebaugh in Italy 1942-1944, Part II

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park Part I of this blog was previously posted here.  It was late March when Orebaugh heard he was being actively sought by the Fascists and Germans. They had learned from Captain Bice Pucci, one of the Italian officers … Continue reading The Adventures of American Diplomat Walter William Orebaugh in Italy 1942-1944, Part II

The Adventures of American Diplomat Walter William Orebaugh in Italy 1942-1944, Part I

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park Late in the morning of November 5, 1942, Walter William Orebaugh, American Consul General at Nice, France, received a telephone call from Pinkney Tuck, American Chargé d'affaires at the American Embassy at Vichy, who informed him that the … Continue reading The Adventures of American Diplomat Walter William Orebaugh in Italy 1942-1944, Part I

The Department of State and the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy: Keeping the Field Informed

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. Even though American Foreign Service Officers overseas received the news about the tragic events in Dallas through public media, the Department of State had the responsibility to provide its posts with official updates.  Consequently, … Continue reading The Department of State and the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy: Keeping the Field Informed