Black Wall Street: 100 Years Since the Tulsa Race Massacre

Past Exhibit
Black Wall Street 100 Years Since the Tulsa Race Massacre Past Exhibit … “--- were dead. Figures are omitted [because] NO ONE KNOWS.” —Red Cross Report On Memorial Day 1921, a Black shoe shiner named Dick Rowland rode in an elevator with white operator Sarah Page. The next day, Rowland was detained inside the Tulsa, Oklahoma, courthouse for the alleged assault of Page. Meanwhile, Tulsans gathered outside the courthouse to either witness or prevent Rowland’s possible lynching. During this gathering, shots …

Amending America

Online Exhibit
Amending America Online Exhibit … About the Exhibit 11,000 Attempts, 27 Amendments Only 27 times—out of more than 11,000 proposals—have Americans reached consensus to amend the Constitution. It is difficult—but not impossible—to turn an idea into an amendment. So few amendments have been successful because our Constitution sets a high bar to pass amendments. So, what kinds of proposals achieve enough support to become a ratified amendment? We have amended our Constitution to reshape fundamental rights, key …

Founding Documents

Web Page
Founding Documents Web Page … Encounter the original founding documents of the United States in the National Archives Rotunda, the permanent home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights. These three documents, known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, have been instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. Declaration of Independence View Gallery Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, announces …

The Beautiful Game

Past Exhibit
The Beautiful Game Ongoing Exhibit … Discover The Beautiful Game from the pitch to the White House In honor of the FIFA World Cup, a soccer ball gifted to President Gerald R. Ford by Brazilian soccer legend Pelé is on display from July 6 through August 19, 2026. In 1975, the pair famously kicked it around the White House Rose Garden. President Gerald R. Ford watches on as Edson Arantes "Pelé " Nacimento juggles a soccer ball on foot and head, seen with Amb. Joao Augusto de Araujo Castro, Ambassador from …

An Unofficial Anthem

Past Exhibit
An Unofficial Anthem Current Exhibit … The original handwritten chorus of "God Bless America," signed by Irving Berlin, ca. 1938 While the “Star-Spangled Banner” is America’s official national anthem, there are multiple tunes that have risen to unofficial status, including Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.” On view at the National Archives Museum from June 30 - July 5, 2026 are the original handwritten lyrics to “God Bless America,” as composed by Berlin. Handwritten original chorus of "God Bless …