Charters of Freedom

Current Exhibit
Charters of Freedom Current Exhibit … "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." — From the Declaration of Independence The simple truth at the heart of the American Revolution is that people are born with certain natural rights, including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness," that do not come from presidents, kings, or charters. …

80th Anniversary of VE Day: End of WWII in Europe

Current Exhibit
80th Anniversary of VE Day End of WWII in Europe Ongoing Exhibit … Victory in Europe World War II, the deadliest military conflict in history, erupted in Europe on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. For nearly six years it raged in the European Theater resulting in millions of military and civilian deaths and destroying cities, homes, and families. Finally, in the spring of 1945, Allied forces exhausted the will and fighting capacity of the German war machine. Slowly, but completely, the …

Remembering Vietnam

Online Exhibit
Remembering Vietnam Online Exhibit … This exhibition presents both iconic and recently discovered National Archives records related to 12 critical episodes in the Vietnam War. They trace the policies and decisions made by the architects of the conflict and help untangle why the United States became involved in Vietnam, why it went on so long, and why it was so divisive for American society. It is important to answer these questions. The sacrifices made by veterans and their families, the magnitude of death …

Discovering the Civil War

Online Exhibit
Discovering the Civil War Online Exhibit … View in the National Archives Catalog View in the National Archives Catalog For 150 years, researchers have been finding new insights in the records of the Civil War. They're not finished yet. You can join them in "Discovering the Civil War." "Discovering the Civil War" peels back 150 years of accumulated analysis, interpretation, and opinion to reveal a Civil War that is little-known and even more rarely displayed. The "Discovering the Civil War" exhibition …

Records of Rights

Current Exhibit
Records of Rights Current Exhibit … Explore how generations of Americans sought to fulfill the promise of the founding documents. The David M. Rubenstein Gallery exhibition showcases original and facsimile National Archives documents and uses an innovative 17-foot-long touch-screen interactive table to illustrate how Americans have debated about and fought for rights like free speech, religion, and equality. The rights and freedoms embodied in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill …

Road to Revolution

Current Exhibit
Road to Revolution Current Exhibit … Road to Revolution  is a rotating exhibition series highlighting National Archives records that document major milestones and critical historical context to the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Annotated Map of the British Colonies in North America with the Roads, Distances, Limits and Extent of the Settlements, ca. 1775. Records of Boundary and Claims Commissions and Arbitrations View in the National …

Running for Office: Candidates, Campaigns, & the Cartoons of Clifford Berryman

Online Exhibit
Running for Office Candidates Campaigns & the Cartoons of Clifford Berryman Online Exhibit … They Won't Agree on Anything!" Cartoon, Clifford K. Berryman, September 24, 1922. National Archives, Records of the U.S. Senate View in the National Archives Catalog They Won't Agree on Anything!" Cartoon, Clifford K. Berryman, September 24, 1922. National Archives, Records of the U.S. Senate View in the National Archives Catalog Political cartoons are unlike any other form of political commentary. Visual in …

Opening the Vault

Current Exhibit
Opening the Vault Current Exhibit … Get up close to historic treasures with Opening the Vault Beginning May 7, 2025, the National Archives will display some of the nation’s most historic treasures in a new exhibition at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. Opening the Vault begins with ties to the American Revolution, celebrating and leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. For the first time in many years, visitors will see iconic and historically valuable …

Power & Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey

Current Exhibit
Power & Light Russell Lees Coal Survey Current Exhibit … "The Sergent family on their front porch. P V & K Coal Company, Clover Gap Mine, Lejunior, Harlan County, Kentucky."  View in National Archives Catalog Power & Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey is an exhibition of photographs of coal communities by American documentary photographer Russell Lee. These images tell the story of laborers who helped build the nation, of a moment when the government took stock of their health and safety, and of a …

Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote

Online Exhibit
Rightfully Hers American Women and the Vote Online Exhibit … Online Exhibits About the Exhibit Most Americans consider the ability to vote fundamental to the enjoyment of full citizenship. American women, however, were long denied that right. In 1920, American democracy dramatically expanded when the newly ratified 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibited the states from denying the vote on the basis of sex.  This landmark voting rights victory was made possible by decades of suffragists’ …