DC Emancipation Act Past Exhibit … On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill ending slavery in the District of Columbia . African Americans in the District greeted emancipation with great jubilation and continue to celebrate Emancipation Day with parades and festivals. The original first and signature pages will be on display. An Act of April 16, 1862 [For the Release of Certain Persons Held to Service or Labor in the District of Columbia] (DC Emancipation Act). National Archives, General …

Write to Mom Thats an order Past Exhibit … This World War I–era telegram relays the Secretary of War’s desire that all commanding  officers and soldiers write a letter home for Mother’s Day. By the date of this communication, May 6, 1919, those moms had been waiting almost six months for their children to come home. Although the Armistice was announced in November 1918, it took over a year to transport the millions of American troops stationed overseas back to the United States. Mother's Day Telegram, May …

To the Polls 60 Years of the Voting Rights Act Ongoing Exhibit … In the 1960s, voting rights were at the forefront of many Americans’ minds. Nearly 100 years had passed since the 15th Amendment outlawed voting restrictions “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” But threats of violence, literacy tests, and extra fees still prevented many Black voters from exercising their constitutional right at the polls. On March 7, 1965, a peaceful march led by activists, including future …

The First National Park Yellowstone and the Hayden Survey Past Exhibit … In spring 1871, scientist, physician, and explorer Ferdinand V. Hayden (1829–87) prepared for an expedition in Wyoming and Montana Territories to survey the region around the Missouri, Snake, and Yellow Stone Rivers. Other expeditions into the area preceded Hayden’s, but Hayden is credited with spurring Congress to make Yellowstone the first National Park.  An experienced field scientist, he was among the first scientists to identify …

50th Anniversary of Apollo 15 and the Lunar Roving Vehicle Past Exhibit … An out-of-this world road trip Only July 31, 1971, almost three years to the day after Neil Armstrong’s giant leap for humankind, Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin took a spin in the first set of wheels on the Moon. The lunar roving vehicle (LRV), or “Moon buggy” as it is popularly known, was specially designed for use on the low-gravity lunar surface.  Astronauts’ bulky space suits had required them to stay close to …

150 Years Ago The Great Chicago Fire Past Exhibit … The Great Chicago Fire is one of the most famous fires in American history. Although Mrs. O’Leary’s legendary cow has been exonerated, the fire’s exact origin on the night of October 8, 1871, remains unknown. Once ignited, the fire quickly raged out of control thanks to ferocious winds, extremely dry conditions, and plenty of fuel. By the time rain extinguished the final flames on October 10, the conflagration had consumed The Loop (Chicago’s central …

Jackie RobinsonFreedom Fighter Past Exhibit … Jackie Robinson refused to move to the back of the bus Jackie Robinson was as fierce and determined about fighting injustice as he was about hitting home runs and stealing bases. He took stands against discrimination throughout his life. In fact, a decade before Rosa Parks’s legendary refusal to give up her seat, Jackie Robinson refused to move to the back of a bus.  Drafted into the Army during World War II, 2nd Lt. Jack R. Robinson was stationed at Camp Hood, …

Mathew Brady A Pioneering Photographer Past Exhibit … Renowned photographer of the notable Credited by many as the father of photojournalism, Mathew Brady is synonymous with the Civil War even though he did not make many of the photographs that bear his name. His ambitious effort to comprehensively document the conflict required Brady to employ a staff of field photographers and make purchases from private individuals. Although Brady was rarely the photographer behind the camera in the field, the historic …

Remembering the Hollywood 10 Screenwriter Ring Lardner Jr Past Exhibit … Early in the Cold War, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigated allegations of Communist activity in the film industry. The committee’s mandate was to “protect the form of government guaranteed by the Constitution.” However, the investigations contributed to a repressive and fearful atmosphere.  On October 30, 1947, HUAC called Ring Lardner, Jr., Academy Award winning screenwriter, to testify before the …

70th Anniversary of Brown v Board of Education of Topeka Past Exhibit … Equity in Education: 70 Years Later On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka that “separate but equal” was unconstitutional in public schools. Overturning the 1896 decision in Plessy v. Ferguson that allowed for school segregation , this landmark decision made it clear that racial discrimination in public schools was a violation of the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court …