A President Resigns - 50 Years Later

Past Exhibit
A President Resigns 50 Years Later Past Exhibit … Richard Nixon’s letter resigning the Presidency, August 9, 1974.   National Archives, General Records of the Department of State View in the National Archives Catalog Richard Nixon’s letter resigning the Presidency, August 9, 1974.   National Archives, General Records of the Department of State View in the National Archives Catalog Nixon's farewell to his cabinet and members of the White House staff, August 9, 1974.  Richard Nixon Presidential Library and …

D.C. Emancipation Act

Past Exhibit
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. That’s an order!

Past Exhibit
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 …

About the National Archives

Web Page
About the National Archives Web Page … The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent federal agency that preserves and shares with the public records that trace the story of our nation, government, and the American people. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and …

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’ …

To the Polls: 60 Years of the Voting Rights Act

Past Exhibit
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 …