Record of the Week: Bayard Rustin, Civil Rights and Gay Rights Activist

In Celebration of LGBT Pride Month The post was written by Dr. Tina Ligon, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland Bayard Rustin was a believer in non-violence, a socialist, a civil rights organizer, and an openly gay black man. He was born on March 17, 1912 in West Chester, Pennsylvania and raised … Continue reading Record of the Week: Bayard Rustin, Civil Rights and Gay Rights Activist

Sold for the Benefit of the Captors

Today’s blog was written by genealogist Renée K. Carl   As a genealogist with a background in cultural anthropology, I relish the research project that allows me to put information about a family into the context of the times. When a genealogist in Canada put out a call for assistance on a project regarding his ancestor’s … Continue reading Sold for the Benefit of the Captors

Master Charles Michael Lee, A Patriot

This post was written by Netisha Currie, Archives Specialist at the National Archives at College Park Sometimes, instead of digging through boxes to find an interesting record, a record will find you. While walking through the offices of the Still Pictures branch in College Park, I saw an enlarged print on the wall of this … Continue reading Master Charles Michael Lee, A Patriot

Accidents, Injuries and Deaths in the Canal Zone, 1884–1999

Written by Patrice Brown, Archivist (Special Assistant) in the Evaluation and Special Projects Division, National Declassification Center at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland This is the second in a series of blogs that relates to Panama Canal records. This blog focuses on death records and how the records can be used to perform … Continue reading Accidents, Injuries and Deaths in the Canal Zone, 1884–1999

Record of the Week: African-American Comics During World War II

This post was submitted by Ray Bottorff, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. Ray is also a comic books enthusiast, so we present this record of the week in celebration of Awesome Con, happening this weekend in Washington, DC. From the series General Records, 1942–July 1943 (NAID 12126610) in RG 44 George J. … Continue reading Record of the Week: African-American Comics During World War II

The Prince Edward County Free School Association

Today’s blog was written by Emanuel Riley, graduating senior at the University of Maryland and Student Intern at the National Archives at College Park On October 17, 1963, William J. vanden Heuvel, then special assistant to President John F. Kennedy, delivered a speech to the students and faculty of Hampden-Sidney College in Prince Edward County, … Continue reading The Prince Edward County Free School Association

“I’m a Blues Man, but I’m a Good Man”: B. B. King and the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Today's tribute was written by Dr. Tina Ligon, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland “The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.” ~ B. B. King   B. B. King, blues legend and one of the greatest guitarists in music history, transitioned last week. With hits such … Continue reading “I’m a Blues Man, but I’m a Good Man”: B. B. King and the Presidential Medal of Freedom

A Special Memorandum from 1933: “Social Adjustment of Negroes in the United States”

Today’s blog was written by Blossom Ojukwu, undergraduate education major at the University of Maryland, College Park In the series Historical Files (National Archives Identifier 566333) in RG 12 Records of the Office of Education is a special memorandum titled “The Social Adjustment of Negroes in the United States.” The document was submitted to President Franklin … Continue reading A Special Memorandum from 1933: “Social Adjustment of Negroes in the United States”

Record of the Week: Black British POWs

In the series Registers of British Prisoners of War, 1812-1815 (NAID 1807650) in RG 45 Naval Records Collection of the Office of Naval Records and Library, are several volumes related to British Prisoners of War (POWs) captured during the War of 1812. In one of the volumes is a list of prisoners on a separate … Continue reading Record of the Week: Black British POWs

Pictorial History of Black Women in the US Navy during World War II and Beyond

Today's blog was written by Dr. Tina L. Ligon, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland Most of the records that are held at the National Archives related to women in the US Navy, primarily focused on their involvement as WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). The few selected series contains photographs, … Continue reading Pictorial History of Black Women in the US Navy during World War II and Beyond