Kidnapping of Free People of Color

Abolitionist Elisha Tyson wrote to Congress with details on several kidnapping cases of free African Americans in the North who were sold into slavery under the guise of the 1793 Fugitive Slave Act. Tyson argued that federal legislation was necessary to address the problem.

The Documents Behind Twelve Years a Slave

Students can see part of Solomon Northup’s story, told in his 1853 autobiography and the new movie, Twelve Years a Slave, in documents found in the National Archives.

More Primary Sources in DocsTeach!

Several new documents have been added to DocsTeach over the past few months. Our former intern shares some of her favorite new additions.

Federal Government Reopens

Congress has restored funding of appropriated activities and the National Archives has begun to resume normal operations. The National Archives Building in Washington, DC and the National Archives at College Park, MD will be closed to the public today, October 17 to give staff time to ensure the proper protection of holdings. Facilities around the … Continue reading Federal Government Reopens

Federal Government Shutdown

Due to the Federal Government shutdown, the National Archives (www.archives.gov) is closed.  We are unable to post or participate in any of our social media channels during this closure. All National Archives facilities are closed, with the exception of the Federal Records Centers and the Federal Register, until the Federal government reopens.