National Archives Foundation

Woman standing in front of the National Archives building in Washington, DC.

I’m excited to announce that I’ve started a position with @archivesfdn.bsky.social! I’m part of a new team working to bring civic education and programs to visitors to the National Archives Museum in DC and to people across the country.

Happy Birthday to Marbury v. Madison, decided #OTD in 1803! 🎂⚖️

SCOTUS made one of the most important decisions in court history, equipping itself with the power of ✨ Judicial Review ✨

Checks and balances were never the same!

On top of #America250, Route 66 is celebrating its centennial this year🛣️ Many of the iconic landmarks along the "Mother Road" are on the National Register of Historic Places, which you can explore in the National Archives online catalog.

Image 1 - NAID: 7719468
Image 2 - NAID: 7719422

Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter… so here we are ❄️🐿️ Take a cozy scroll through weather history via records of the National Weather Service as February also marks its anniversary. Bundle up & enjoy these frosty finds from the National Archives ☃️📸 #groundhogday

Each month, take a look at what’s new in the National Archives' Online Catalog. The latest update includes records imported in December 2025—from newly added photos at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library to records of the Continental Congress. Explore it all: www.archives.gov/research/cat...

FIRST LOOK 🔎 Check out the #Boeing 737 aircraft that will take original documents from the US National Archives to eight cities across the U.S. to celebrate #America250. The Freedom Plane Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation kicks off in March: freedomplane.org
#ArchivesFreedomPlane

Now Boarding the Freedom Plane: Precious Founding-Era Documents

Dive into the newly announced Freedom Plane National Tour with the @nytimes.com: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/a... #ArchivesFreedomPlane #America250 ✈️

Before the 📱& ☎️, you'd send telegrams. The telegraph, first debuted 188 years ago this January, was one of the most revolutionary pieces of tech in American history. Many telegrams live in the records of the National Archives—explore some of the highlights: archivesfoundation.org/newsletter/h...

‘The American Story’ Review: Even-Handed History at the National Archives A new permanent exhibit in Washington uses interactive technology to take visitors on a personalized journey through the nation’s past, while wisely avoiding editorializing.

In the words of our Executive Director Patrick Madden, we hope all visitors "have an 'a-ha moment that connects with them personally.'" Read more from the @wsj.com and plan your visit: www.wsj.com/arts-culture...

Taking flight 🛫 #OnThisDay 122 years ago, the #WrightBrothers achieved flight! See the iconic 1903 Wright Flyer patent and a film of a flight in the records of the National Archives and part of #TheAmericanStory. The museum is open 10am-5:30pm EST daily (except 12/25) for a holiday visit 🎄

#OnThisDay 252 years ago, the Sons of Liberty protested Britain's Tea Act by dumping East India Company Tea into Boston Harbor. This pivotal moment ahead of the Revolutionary War set the stage for Americans' demand to have no taxation without representation #BostonTeaParty

Bill of Rights - DocsTeach This document is the Federal Government’s official copy of the joint resolution of Congress proposing the original Bill of Rights, engrossed on parchment. (Engrossing is…

Happy #BillofRightsDay! This date recognizes when the first 10 amendments became the law of the land. Educators: be sure to check out all of our DocsTeach Bill of Rights resources for students of all ages: docsteach.org/document/bil... 📚✏️

Have you watched Death by Lightning on @netflix.com yet?

You can read actual letters from Charles Guiteau, President James A. Garfield's killer, who relentlessly pursued diplomatic posts, in the holdings of the National Archives: archives.gov/publications...

This #GivingTuesday, support the National Archives Foundation & inspire Americans everywhere understand their past. You can helps us:

🔵 Host educator workshops
🔴 Create immersive exhibitions
🔵 Bring more exciting programs to the Archives

Give today: bit.ly/3M9euhU

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the resolution for a National #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth. The original document will be on display in #TheAmericanStory - opening this Friday! Explore all kinds of Native American records in the National Archives: www.archives.gov/news/topics/...

Happy (belated) birthday to First Lady, educator, and advocate for literacy, civics, and global health Laura Bush! 🎂📚 In 2018, we welcomed the First Lady to the National Archives Museum, where she was recognized as that year's recipient of the Records of Achievement Award for her work.

Today we remember Vice President Dick Cheney, whose long career in public service spanned multiple Presidential administrations, from Gerald Ford's Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense under H.W. Bush. His legacy lives on in the records of the National Archives.

This November, we commemorate 250 years of the U.S. Marine Corps! "From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli," explore the history and legacy of the Marines in the holdings of the National Archives. Discover their stories and more: www.archives.gov/research/mil...
🇺🇸 #Marines250 #SemperFi

🎃👻 Happy #Halloween!

From Oval Office trick-or-treaters to skeletons in the White House, presidential Halloween moments live on in the Archives.

Enjoy the spooky fun from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue over the years, including Caroline and John Kennedy Jr., First Lady Betty Ford, and Tricia Nixon:

🧛🦴🎭

Play ball! ⚾ With the #WorldSeries we’re celebrating with some enthusiasts from the White House. From LBJ in 1965 (NAID: 6801620) to Nixon at the 1970 All-Star Game (NAID: 66394193), these snapshots capture the presidents joining in on America’s favorite pastime

Though the physical doors to the National Archives are still closed right now, you can still dive into history with the online catalog.

Recently digitized items include Aaron Burr's Oath of Allegiance and George W. Bush riding a tricycle as a child. Find out more: archives.gov/research/cat...

🎗️October is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, and the
National Archives holds records of First Ladies like Betty Ford and Nancy Reagan who helped bring national attention to the disease and encouraged women to prioritize early detection and treatment.

Today on President Jimmy Carter's birthday, we remember his life and legacy. Learn more about the President born #OnThisDay from Naval lieutenant to peanut farmer through records at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and the National Archives!

Happy Birthday to Muppets creator and performer Jim Henson, born 89 years ago #OTD. In 1978, First Lady Rosalynn Carter invited Henson (and Big Bird) to the White House for a children's holiday party. Who is your favorite Muppet?

NAID: 182858

On #InternationalCharityDay, we're inspired by First Ladies who dedicated their time in office to charitable causes, including mental health advocacy, literacy, education, and volunteerism.

Check it out in the National Archives catalog: catalog.archives.gov/id/299805

#OnThisDay in 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, & John Jay, ending the Revolutionary War. It secured key objectives for the fledgling nation, such as the return of prisoners and territorial boundaries.

Happy Birthday to President Lyndon B. Johnson, born #OnThisDay in 1908. The 36th President of the United States and a proud Texan, LBJ signed landmark legislation including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

From riding ponies at the WH to golf carting from Marine One, presidential parenting is a tradition all its own. This #NationalSonAndDaughterDay, we’re looking back at some iconic moments with Presidents and their kids

Today marks 60 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the #VotingRightsAct 🗳️ This landmark legislation outlawed voting discrimination, protecting every citizen’s right to vote. For a limited time, you can see the original on display at the National Archives Museum.