Freedmen's Bureau Marriage Records

Past Exhibit
Freedmens Bureau Marriage Records Ongoing Exhibit … The Freedmen’s Bureau helped newly freed people legalize their marriages. After the Civil War, the federal government established a War Department agency to help Americans transition from slavery to freedom. The Freedmen’s Bureau (1865–72) issued rations, operated hospitals and helped establish schools and unite families. It worked to resolve labor disputes and negotiate labor contracts. It also presided over and documented marriages between freed …

Betty Ford: Raising Breast Cancer Awareness

Past Exhibit
Betty Ford Raising Breast Cancer Awareness Past Exhibit … Cancer wherever it strikes the body, also strikes the spirit, and the best doctors in the world can't cure the spirit, only love and understanding can.  — Betty Ford, November 7, 1975 View Gallery Betty Ford's remarks to the American Cancer Society Just weeks after she became First Lady, Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer. On September 26, 1974, doctors discovered a lump in her breast during a routine medical examination. She underwent a …

First Continental Congress

Virtual Exhibit
First Continental Congress Virtual Exhibit … The First Continental Congress convened to discuss united resistance to the Coercive Acts and issued a Declaration of Rights and the Articles of Association. Recognizing that unity would be essential to forcing a repeal of the so-called "Intolerable Acts," the Continental Association formed local committees to put economic pressure on Parliament–and on their neighbors–to submit to patriotic …

Discovery Center

Web Page
Discovery Center Web Page … Coming Soon in 2025! The Discovery Center is currently closed to the public for renovations. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Center in the fall of 2025. During its renovation, our education staff will continue to facilitate on-site education programs for K–12 classes and teachers professional development sessions. Reservations for both programs should be made by emailing fieldtrips@nara.gov …

Opening the Vault: Washington and Franklin

Virtual Exhibit
Opening the Vault Washington and Franklin Virtual Exhibit … From May 7 to August 6, 2025, the National Archives Museum will feature historic, handwritten documents of two Founding Fathers: President George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. These items emphasize landmark milestones in American history, honoring the first Commander in Chief of the Continental Army and the first Postmaster General. These historic treasures also commemorate the 250th anniversaries establishing the U.S. Army and U.S. Postal …

The Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth

Past Exhibit
The Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth Ongoing Exhibit … Milestones in the long struggle for American freedom Emancipation Proclamation President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached the third year of the Civil War. Lincoln's proclamation, which declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free,” was “a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing rebellion.” The Proclamation also …

80 Years Since the End of World War II

Past Exhibit
80 Years Since the End of World War II Current Exhibit … World War II, the deadliest military conflict in history, ended six years and one day after the war erupted in Europe. On September 2, 1945, just four months after Nazi Germany’s surrender, Japanese officials issued an imperial order and signed a formal surrender ending hostilities in the Pacific Theater. Instrument of Surrender, September 2, 1945. Records of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff View in the National Archives Catalog Instrument of …