About the National Archives
Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever.
Those valuable records are preserved and are available to you, whether you want to see if they contain clues about your family’s history, need to prove a veteran’s military service, or are researching an historical topic that interests you.
Spotlight on National Archives History
The National Archives and Records Administration became an independent federal agency in 1985. Learn about how the archives came into independence in a video panel discussion about our journey.
Prologue: NARA's Quarterly Magazine
Current Issue:
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Jim Crow, Meet Lieutenant Robinson Baseball legend Jackie Robinson's Army court-martial during World War II provided a preview of the civil rights movement that would shake postwar America. |
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Ready Access NARA's 17 Federal Records Centers around the country easy storage and prompt of records for dozens of other federal agencies. |
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No Little Historic Value The Russian Revolution prompted American diplomats to take quick and unusual steps to save U.S. State Department records and bring them home to Washington. |
John Hope Franklin
Ken Burns
Ken Mehlman
Lindy Boggs and Cokie Roberts
Hillary Rodham Clinton