Previously we shared a blog post about counterfeiters and briefly mentioned how the artistic gifts of some were used to counterfeit money. This installment will discuss the creation of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and how currency was legitimately made in 1914. In 1914, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s (BEP) operations moved to … Continue reading Engraving, Inking, Trimming: The Production of Paper Currency in 1914
In honor of the Major League Baseball playoffs, the Cartographic and Architectural Branch has pulled together a few records featuring the national past-time.
“The question always comes when you live in a community that’s oppressed and people are living like we have to live in the black community, how do you get a handle on all these problems? And you solve them by trying to create in the citizens an awareness of a need for dramatic and drastic … Continue reading The People and the Police: Washington D.C.’s Police-Community Relations Program, 1968
On October 21, 1967, an estimated crowd of 100,000 gathered by the Lincoln Memorial in Washington to protest the Vietnam War and march on the Pentagon. Organized by the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam, the demonstration was the first major national protest against the Vietnam War. Along with the signs, chants, and other … Continue reading This Week in Universal News: The March on the Pentagon, 1967
This week, we’ll be taking a look at Project Blue Book, via the National Archives' film holdings. Project Blue Book was not the United States Air Force’s first investigation into the reports of unidentified flying objects. It wasn't even the second. Project Blue Book was actually the third formal analysis of UFO sightings, coming after … Continue reading Project Blue Book: Spotting UFOs in the Film Record
This week I'm posting photographs from the Bureau of Public Roads and its successor the Federal Highway Administration. These images relate to the Washington, D.C. area and are just a few examples of what can be found in the series Historical Photograph Files, 1896-1963 (30-N) and General Photograph Files, 1954-1984 (406-G), which both contain photos … Continue reading Images of the Week: Washington, DC Roads
Photographs posted this week come from one of my favorite series, "Airscapes" of American and Foreign Areas, 1917 - 1964" (18-AA). Click on the images below to view higher resolution versions. Local Identifier: 18-AA-138-5. Washington, D.C. - Keystone Bombardment airplanes of 2nd Bombardment Group. April 23, 1931. Local Identifier: 18-AA-139-2. Washington, D.C. - Griffith Stadium. … Continue reading Images of the Week: Airscapes
“I have received this afternoon a message from the Japanese Government...” At 7 pm on August 14, 1945, President Harry Truman stood before reporters gathered at the White House and announced the unconditional surrender of Japan. The Pacific War was over. Although the formal signing of the terms of surrender ending World War II would not occur until September 2nd, the … Continue reading “Celebration of V-J Day, 08/14/1945”
