In celebration of our nation declaring its independence 237 years ago, today's spotlight is—of course—on the Declaration of Independence. The National Archives is its permanent home. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in which the American colonies set forth a list of grievances against the British Crown and declared they … Continue reading The Declaration of Independence
As Independence Day approaches, this week we're highlighting this 1775 "Annotated Map of the British Colonies in North America with the Roads, Distances, Limits and Extent of the Settlements." During the negotiations to end the Revolutionary War, all sides used a copy of the so-called Mitchell map. The red lines marked on the map were … Continue reading Agreed-upon Boundaries at the Close of the Revolutionary War
Today we shine a spotlight on this photograph of the golden spike ceremony taken in Promontory, Utah. As school lets out and vacation begins, we're changing up our posts for the summer. Look for these spotlights highlighting great documents, photographs, posters, and more from our holdings. The Transcontinental Railroad was completed on May 10, 1869, … Continue reading The Golden Spike in the Transcontinental Railroad
From July 29 to August 2, 2013 the LBJ Library will offer a research-based workshop for teachers of all disciplines and grade levels. Participants will learn how to conduct research in historical records, create classroom materials, and present documents in ways that sharpen students’ skills and enthusiasm for history and the humanities. If you're interested, … Continue reading Summer Professional Development at the LBJ Library in Austin, TX
The DocsTeach App extends learning activities from the DocsTeach website to your students' iPads. Using the app, they can choose a topic, such as “Civics & Government” or “Postwar U.S. 1945–early 1970s,” and challenge themselves with a DocsTeach activity, interacting with stories, events, and ideas of the past. The activities are all based on primary source documents from the … Continue reading The DocsTeach App for iPad
Today's post comes from education intern Stephen Pearson. Over two days earlier this month, students arrived at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, ready to compete. There was excitement and nervous energy in the air. Both the students and history came to life through dynamic performances, stirring documentaries, and eye-popping exhibits, just to name … Continue reading DC Students Compete at the National Archives for National History Day
In celebration, the National Archives has teamed up with other federal agencies and cultural institutions to provide digital content, including resources for teachers. Along with the Library of Congress, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, we pay tribute "to the generations of Jewish … Continue reading May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month
During Teacher Appreciation Week, and especially today on National Teacher Appreciation Day, we give thanks to teachers for all their hard work educating and guiding students. As we said on Today's Document—our sister site showcasing daily featured documents, it’s always Teacher Appreciation Week at the National Archives! Our Education Specialists work year-round to provide teachers … Continue reading #ThankATeacher (Actually, thanks to millions of you!)
Today’s post comes from Kris Jarosik, education specialist at the National Archives at Chicago, working alongside Ang Reidell, education specialist at the National Archives at Philadelphia. There was a time when the U.S. government seized photos and pamphlets and confiscated contraception sent through the mail. Thousands were charged with breaking federal law and over 500 cases … Continue reading “Mandating Morality:” The Comstock Act and Obscenity Cases in the National Archives
Today's opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, makes 13 Presidential Libraries that are administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. Part of the Library and Museum’s mission is to encourage students of all ages to learn more about the Presidency, the … Continue reading Resources from the New George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
