Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan

We mourn former President Carter together and honor his legacy. A humanitarian and champion of democracy, Carter spent his life bringing people together to solve global problems with peaceful solutions.

Please visit this tribute page from The Carter Center: https://www.jimmycartertribute.org/

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library

🐴Read this great article about Sergeant Reckless, a decorated warhorse who served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.

https://loom.ly/fbyfL-k

Check out “Carmencita: Spanish Dance,” the oldest film in the motion picture holdings!

💡Fun fact: It was filmed by Thomas Edison in 1894!

https://loom.ly/Kb745Es

We have some fascinating records about westward migration, like this photo of a family seeking a homestead in Nebraska, 1886.

What a wonderful photo of First Lady Pat Nixon receiving a gift feather from Big Bird while hosting the Diplomatic Children’s Christmas Party in December, 1970.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

🌕Rockin’ around the Christmas tree? How about orbiting around the moon? Apollo 8 astronauts were doing just that when they broadcast live footage on Christmas Eve, 1968:

https://loom.ly/escxB-U

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Wow! Here is a letter from Laura Ingalls Wilder to her daughter about edits for her next novel in the Little House on the Prairies series. Signed, sealed, and delivered from “Mama Bess”!

🏒 Check out this New Deal era painting of hockey players from the early 1900s! It was part of a federal program during the Great Depression to create art for schools, hospitals, libraries, and other public buildings.
Learn more at DocsTeach 👇
https://loom.ly/tO3GidY

‘Tis the season! Whether you’re a kid at heart or have children in your life, check out these toy patents!

🖍️Did you know you can find these and more in our US National Archives patents-themed coloring book?

https://loom.ly/aUBeJPc

United States Patent and Trademark Office

🚂We have some fascinating records about railroads, like this photo of Santa Fe’s “fast mail” train No. 8, with routes between Chicago and Los Angeles post . That's a "catcher arm" in the foreground. It picked up mail in communities not scheduled for stops!

Quilts have long been a symbol of care and connection, making them a great reminder of the love and warmth we share during the holidays and throughout the year.

Poinsettia are named for Joel Roberts Poinsett - the first US minister to Mexico - who brought the plant back from Taxco, Guerrero and popularized it. The records from his time in Mexico are part of the State Department holdings