Whether someone developed a signature style or signed groundbreaking policy into law, National Archives records can illustrate the many ways people have “made their mark” on history.
And now teachers and students can uncover these signature records on special themed DocsTeach page related to our exhibition Making their Mark: Stories through Signatures.
Populated with dozens of recently added records and activities of remarkable achievements, this special DocsTeach page is a portal to these records and their stories. These new additions to DocsTeach include documents signed by such famous figures as Jackie Robinson and Johnny Cash and from such infamous individuals as John Wilkes Booth and Adolf Hitler.
There’s even a letter requesting an autographed photo of President Eisenhower from a young Dave Ferriero–the current Archivist of the United States!
In addition to documents signed by the famous or infamous, records highlighting signature looks and signature works are also part of Making their Mark. The styles of past Presidents are highlighted through FDR’s fedora and Ike’s Eisenhower Jacket. Iconic photographs from Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams highlight what set them apart and gave them a singular vision.
Some surprise stories are uncovered in these records as well. For example, did you know that Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote a letter of recommendation for Walt Whitman? Or that before she was a famous chef Julia Child worked for the OSS? Or that Richard Nixon once applied to be an agent in the FBI?
Visit www.docsteach.org/home/making-their-mark today to find more remarkable documents!