Tag: RG 59

The Incarceration of E.E. Cummings and William Slater Brown in France during World War I as Reflected in Department of State Records: Part I – E.E. Cummings

by NationalArchivesBlog, posted in State and Foreign Affairs, World War I

Today's post was written by David Langbart, archivist in Textual Reference at the National Archives at College Park. E.E. Cummings (Edward Estlin Cummings) is widely regarded as one of America's greatest poets.  A 1915 graduate of Harvard University, during World War I he volunteered for the ambulance service operated by the American Red Cross in … Continue reading The Incarceration of E.E. Cummings and William Slater Brown in France during World War I as Reflected in Department of State Records: Part I – E.E. Cummings

Foreign Reaction to Reforming the Supreme Court, 1937

by NationalArchivesBlog, posted in Presidents, State and Foreign Affairs

Today's post was written by David Langbart, archivist in Textual Reference at the National Archives at College Park. Franklin D. Roosevelt began his second term in office on January 20, 1937, the first President inaugurated on that day and month.  In February, reflecting his frustration with the Supreme Court's numerous negative decisions on New Deal … Continue reading Foreign Reaction to Reforming the Supreme Court, 1937

The Resurrection of World War II Lend-Lease Records on the USSR: A Story in Seven Parts

by NationalArchivesBlog, posted in Cold War, Commerce, Records Reference and Research, State and Foreign Affairs

Today's post was written by David Langbart, archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. Among the records of the Foreign Economic Administration (RG 169) in the National Archives are microfilms of the files of the USSR Branch of that agency.  The records constitute the primary policy and subject files … Continue reading The Resurrection of World War II Lend-Lease Records on the USSR: A Story in Seven Parts

An American Car on the Road in the USSR, 1972

by NationalArchivesBlog, posted in Cold War, State and Foreign Affairs

Today's post was written by David Langbart, archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. The tight restrictions on travelers in the USSR closed more than 97% of that country to most foreigners.  The travel restrictions particularly affected diplomats from the Western Powers.  Nevertheless, from time to time, staff of … Continue reading An American Car on the Road in the USSR, 1972

Tony Curtis on Creating Good Will for America: 1956

by NationalArchivesBlog, posted in Hollywood and Film, State and Foreign Affairs

Today's post was written by David Langbart, archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. In 1956, Tony Curtis was an up-and-coming actor.  In a career stretching from the 1940s to the 2000s, he starred in both dramatic and comedic films.  By 1956, he had had some success in such … Continue reading Tony Curtis on Creating Good Will for America: 1956

Recognizing Women in Foreign Affairs, 1957

by NationalArchivesBlog, posted in State and Foreign Affairs, Women's History

Today’s post is written by David Langbart, an Archivist in the Textual Records Division at the National Archives at College Park. In 1957, the U.S. Foreign Service had relatively few women members and up to that date only seven women had ever held the position of Minister or Ambassador (head of a diplomatic post).  The … Continue reading Recognizing Women in Foreign Affairs, 1957

Reading the Riot Act: American Reaction to Leaks in the Foreign Press

by NationalArchivesBlog, posted in Journalism, 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. The leak of sensitive information to the American press is a perpetual problem for U.S. Government officials.  See here, here, and here for earlier posts on that subject.  The U.S. government, however, is not … Continue reading Reading the Riot Act: American Reaction to Leaks in the Foreign Press

Diplomatic Reporting

by NationalArchivesBlog, posted in 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. American diplomats overseas have many functions.  Perhaps the most important is to serve as eyes and ears of the United States and reporting what they learn and what they think it means.  At various … Continue reading Diplomatic Reporting

Space: The Final Frontier (this is not a Star Trek story)

by NationalArchivesBlog, posted in 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. In any large organization, the location and size of office space is telling.  The large corner office, the office on the top floor, the office next to a senior official all connote power and … Continue reading Space: The Final Frontier (this is not a Star Trek story)

Presidential Holiday Greetings, 1933

by NationalArchivesBlog, posted in 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. {This is a revision of an earlier post.} In late October 1933, as the end of the first year of his Presidency drew near, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent the following note to Secretary … Continue reading Presidential Holiday Greetings, 1933