"Aunt Sammy's Radio Recipes" 1927 (NAID 5710000) Aunt Sammy, the wife of Uncle Sam, was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Home Economics and Farm Radio Service. It came to life in the first radio broadcast of "Housekeeper Chat" on October 4, 1926. The program's goal was to help housewives manage their … Continue reading Aunt Sammy and Her Radio Recipes
One of America's most iconic memorials will be celebrating its 100th anniversary on Veteran's Day 2021, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. It is visited every year by millions of visitors. The National Archives Still Pictures Branch holds photographs relating to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier depicting visitors paying their … Continue reading 100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Have you ever wondered what the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area looked like from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century? Thanks to the Bureau of Public Roads role in documenting road constructions, highways, building structures, etc., you are in luck. Record Group 30: Historical Photograph Files, 1896-1963 (30-N) contains … Continue reading Historical Roads and Buildings in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia
Recently, a series of photographs entitled Photographs Related to the Operation and Development of the Panama Canal Zone, ca. 1938 - ca. 1960 (185-CZ), went live on NARA's online catalog. The 2,483 photographs document various functions of the civil government and the Department of Operations and Maintenance of the Canal Zone. Included in the images … Continue reading Panama Canal Zone Photographs
The Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators Unit, known as the "Hello Girls", was a unit of women who operated telephone switchboards, sworn into the U.S. Army Signal Corps, during World War I. The term, "Hello Girls", was used for women who first greeted callers with the word "hello". The corps was formed due to a … Continue reading “Hello Girls” – Women Telephone Operators during WWI
We know that African Americans served overseas in both Europe and Japan during World War II. However, there were many African Americans who contributed to the war effort on the home front. Many worked in war industries and government wartime agencies. They sold war bonds, conserved goods needed for the war effort, etc. The Office … Continue reading African Americans and the War Industry
Around this time of the Christmas season, offices around the National Archives are planning their Christmas parties. It is a time for staff to take a break from their daily duties and gather together to enjoy decorations, music, and food. This year is different however. In the midst of a pandemic, staff have been telework … Continue reading National Archives’ Christmas Parties
As we close out Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 through October 15), we continue to recognize the achievements made by Hispanics. Those achievements include Rita Moreno, the first Hispanic actress to win an Oscar for her role in West Side Story; their participation in military wars, such as World War I and II; Justice Sonya Sotomayor … Continue reading Hispanic Heritage Month – Recognizing and Celebrating Hispanic Culture
Pulitzer Prize winning photo journalist John H. White is well-known for his photographs of life in the city of Chicago, IL, particularly African American life, during the early 1970s. At the time, White was with the Chicago Daily News working for the federal government, photographing for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) DOCUMERICA project. DOCUMERICA was … Continue reading Spotlight Photographer – John H. White
Poster used in A.L.A. Campaign for books, Camp Meade (165-WW-33D-5, NAID 20801784) When America entered World War I in 1917, the American Library Association decided to take part in the war effort by establishing the Library War Service. Its purpose was to provide library services to American soldiers in training camps and overseas. The Association … Continue reading Wartime Reading: The Library War Service
