The Spirit of '76 (Air Force One) arriving at the Capital airport near Peking, China. President Nixon and Pat Nixon being greeted by Premier Chou En-Lai and other Chinese officials. A military band playing at the arrival ceremony.

Nixon in China: Audiovisual Records from the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

Today's post was written by Ryan Pettigrew. Ryan is an AV Archivist at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. On February 21, 1972, President Richard Nixon, First Lady Pat Nixon, a cadre of political advisors and administrative staff, as well as select members of the American press corps arrived in the People’s Republic of … Continue reading Nixon in China: Audiovisual Records from the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

No Mail, Low Morale: The 6888th Central Postal Battalion

Photograph of Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) Captain Charity Adams of Columbia, NC Drilling Her Company. Local Identifier: 111-SC-238651; National Archives Identifier: 531334. “No mail, low morale,” or so the motto goes. Even before the founding of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion, the mail was piling up for the soldiers serving during World War II. … Continue reading No Mail, Low Morale: The 6888th Central Postal Battalion

Different Years, Always New: The New Year in Photos

As we move into 2022, celebrations of the New Year take shape in many different forms. Due to the current circumstances, the celebrations for 2022 most likely looked very different than those in 2021, and even 2020. However, consider how different the New Year celebrations looked in 2004, 1952, 1943, and even 1869. Pictured in … Continue reading Different Years, Always New: The New Year in Photos

Holiday Catalog Roundup: The 1941 Christmas Tree Lighting, an Electric Menorah, and More!

After such a tumultuous year, all the staff at the National Archives Special Media Division would like to extend our best holiday wishes to those of you reading this as well as our hopes for a bright new year in 2022.  It’s hard to believe that another year has already come and gone and to … Continue reading Holiday Catalog Roundup: The 1941 Christmas Tree Lighting, an Electric Menorah, and More!

100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

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

Veterans Day Military History Link Roundup

Veterans Day is observed every November 11th in the United States. It marks the end of fighting in World War I, the war that was supposed to end all wars, and honors our nation’s military veterans. Here at the Unwritten Record, we share a lot of records related to military history and those who have … Continue reading Veterans Day Military History Link Roundup

Spotlight: Tricia Nixon’s 1969 Halloween Party

On October 31, 1969, approximately 250 children arrived at the White House for a Halloween Party that was hosted by First Daughter Tricia Nixon. According to the Nixon Foundation: "Each room of the state floor held surprises for the guests. In the Green Room, there was a tarot card reader...In the Blue Room were large … Continue reading Spotlight: Tricia Nixon’s 1969 Halloween Party

Subject Finding Aid Project (Update 2)

I'm back again with another update regarding the progress of the Subject Finding Aid Project in the Still Picture Branch. Harnessing the momentum gained with Batches 2 and 3, I'm happy to announce that roughly 3500 descriptions for Batches 4 and 5 are LIVE in the NARA Catalog! The Finding Aids in these batches cover … Continue reading Subject Finding Aid Project (Update 2)

Remembering 9/11

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. On September 11, 2001, four coordinated terrorist attacks were committed against the United States when two hijacked planes were flown into the North and South Towers at the World Trade Center, a third hit the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., … Continue reading Remembering 9/11