July/August 2008
Washington, DC, Area Events
In honor of the nation's 232nd birthday, the National Archives Experience will extend its viewing hours. All exhibits including the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, which houses the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, July 4; Saturday, July 5; and Sunday, July 6. Attend the Annual Fourth of July Celebration!
All National Archives research rooms will be closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Museums at the Presidential libraries will be open.
Program Highlights
National Archives Celebrates 4th of July
- Annual July 4th Celebration
Celebrate the nation's 232nd birthday with music, historical “visitors,” a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and family activities. (July 4) - Running for Office Film Series
Screening of The Senator Was Indiscreet and The Candidate complement our exhibit “Running for Office: Candidates, Campaigns, and the Cartoons of Clifford Berryman.” (July 19, August 9) - Ping-Pong Diplomacy
The documentary film History Declassified: Nixon in China recounts the story behind President Nixon’s historic trip to China in 1972. (August 6) - Coming in September and October
From the Records Book Group discusses The Revolution Remembered, Constitution Day, "Lincoln and American Values" symposium, and "1783: Subject or Citizen?" exhibit.
Exhibit Highlights
- Special Exhibit
LAST CHANCE—CLOSING AUGUST 17!
“Running for Office: Candidates, Campaigns, and the Cartoons of Clifford Berryman” highlights political cartoons from the first half of the 20th century. - Permanent Exhibits
The Charters of Freedom, A New World Is at Hand, The Public Vaults, Magna Carta - Special Featured Document Displays in Washington, DC
The Harris Treaty, Ping-Pong Diplomacy—An "Intelligence Brief," The Treaty of Paris. - Special Exhibit in College Park, MD
The Long View
Locations, Hours, and Contact Information
All events listed in the calendar are free unless noted; reservations are not required unless noted. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue.
Annual July 4th Celebration
Join us as we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on the Constitution Avenue steps of the National Archives Building. We commemorate this historic day with our annual dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence led by very special guests.
Friday, July 4
Declaration of Independence Reading Ceremony
Constitution Avenue Steps
10 a.m.–11 a.m.
- Presentation of colors by the Continental Color Guard*
- Performance by the Fife and Drum Corps*
- Remarks by Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein
- Dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence by special guests including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Ned Hector (portrayed by historical reenactors)
- Patriotic video presentation
* Continental Color Guard and Fife and Drum Corps provided by U.S. 3rd Infantry, the Old Guard
Family Activities
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Meet Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Gen. Bernardo deGalvez, and other
historical figures–Rotunda and Presidential Conference Rooms
Patriotic Activities in the Jefferson Room
- Air your grievances in Revolutionary manner with a quill pen.
- Don a tricornered hat and step up to the podium to declare your independence.
- Show patriotic pride with a National Archives temporary tattoo.
“Running for Office” Exhibit–Related Activities in the Washington Room
- Make a campaign button or bumper sticker.
- Test your knowledge of history and politics with Presidential Bingo.
- Fill out a voting ballot.
Historical Activities throughout the National Archives Experience
- “Our Secret Constitution” with History is a Hoot, Inc.–Madison Room
- Sign a full-size facsimile of the Declaration of Independence–Presidential Conference Room Lobby
- Explore full-size facsimiles of landmark historical documents–Public Vaults Exhibit Exit
- Learn how to use our new web site, the “Digital Vaults,” to make a movie, a poster, and more–Boeing Learning Center
July 4th at the National Archives is made possible in part by the generous support of John Hancock Financial Services.
All of the Presidential Libraries are open on the 4th of July. See which libraries are holding special events.
Ping-Pong Diplomacy
Wednesday, August 6, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
History Declassified: Nixon in China
In conjunction with the featured document display
of a U.S. Department of State Intelligence Brief (see Exhibits), and in recognition
of the opening of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, The Charles Guggenheim
Center for the Documentary Film at the National Archives presents this 2004
ABC News Productions documentary that tells the unknown story behind one of
the greatest diplomatic coups in history—President Richard Nixon’s
historic trip to China in February of 1972. History Declassified: Nixon
in China combines previously secret U.S. documents gathered by the National
Security Archive with available evidence from Chinese files to reveal details
of the dramatic diplomacy that remained hidden for 30 years. The 45-minute
program won the 2005 Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in News & Documentary
Research.
Michael Kurtz, Assistant Archivist for Records Services, will welcome the audience and introduce our special guests, Director Thomas Blanton and Senior Analyst William Burr from the National Security Archive, who will introduce the film and answer audience questions.
Running for Office Film Series
The Center for the National Archives Experience is pleased to present programs in celebration of our new exhibit, “Running for Office: Candidates, Campaigns, and the Cartoons of Clifford Berryman,” which runs through August 17 in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery.
The Running for Office film series is generously supported by Chevy Chase Bank.
Saturday, July 19, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
Running for Office Film Series—The Senator Was Indiscreet
William Powell stars as a dim-witted U.S. senator who decides to run for President,
with Ella Raines as a reporter interested in the detailed diary he has kept about
all the political misdeeds of his colleagues. Directed by George S. Kaufman. (1947, 88 minutes)
Saturday, August 9, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
Running for Office Film Series—The Candidate
Robert Redford stars as Bill McKay, an idealistic young lawyer involved in
civil rights and ecology. His performance shockingly illustrates the costs—emotional,
moral, and financial—of running for public office in America. Rated PG. (1972, 109 minutes)
View the Running for Office Online Exhibit
Save the Date
Tuesday, September 16, at 11 a.m. and noon
Room G-24, Research Center (Enter on Pennsylvania Avenue)
From the Records Book Group and Lecture
Following a lecture at 11 a.m. on records relating to the Revolutionary War,
the From the Records Book Group will discuss The Revolution Remembered:
Eyewitness Accounts of the War for Independence, ed. by John C. Dann.
Please check the Archives Shop (202-357-5271) for book availability and a special
discount for participants.
September 17
Constitution Day: Laurence Tribe, The Invisible Constitution
September 20
Symposium: Lincoln and American Values
To request a brochure, call 202-357-5000 (option 5).
October 3
Exhibit Opening: “1783: Subject or Citizen?”
225th Anniversary of the Treaty of Paris
Boeing Learning Center
An exciting space designed to provide parents and educators of all levels with methods and materials for teaching with primary source documents. Open Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Exhibits
Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom:The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are on permanent display in the Rotunda. "A New World Is at Hand" surrounds the Rotunda's centerpiece cases. Presenting a selection of milestone documents, the exhibit chronicles the creation of the Charters of Freedom in the 18th century and their impact on the course of history in the United States and around the world.
The Public Vaults: This interactive exhibit invites visitors into the stacks and vaults of the National Archives to explore the raw material from which history is made. From Washington's letters, Lincoln's telegrams, and FDR's fireside chats to UFO reports and declassified secrets of World War II, these documents chronicle both great national events and the lives of individual Americans.
Magna Carta: This foundation document of English common law was confirmed by Edward I in 1297. Only four originals of the 1297 Magna Carta remain, and only one permanently resides in the United States. Purchased by David M. Rubenstein in 2007, it is on loan to the National Archives. West Rotunda Gallery.
Clifford Berryman self-portrait, 1904
Special Exhibit
Running for Office: Candidates, Campaigns, and the Cartoons of Clifford Berryman
LAST CHANCE—CLOSING AUGUST 17!
Just in time for the Presidential campaign, political cartoons from the first
half of the 20th century provide relevant commentary and fascinating insight
into the campaigns and elections of today. In the Lawrence F. O’Brien
Gallery, through August 17.
View the Running for Office Online Exhibit
Special Featured Document Displays in Washington, DC
The Harris Treaty–On July 29, 1858, the “Harris” Treaty revolutionized trade with Japan, granting unparalleled access and formal diplomatic relations to Americans. The original treaty will be on display to mark its 150th anniversary. East Rotunda Gallery, July 1 through 31.
Ping-Pong Diplomacy–An “Intelligence Brief,” issued by the U.S. Department of State after the People’s Republic of China invited members of the U.S. table tennis (Ping-Pong) team to visit in April 1971, will be on display in recognition of the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing this summer. East Rotunda Gallery, August 1 through 28.
The Treaty of Paris, the original treaty signed in 1783 by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, will be on display to mark the 225th anniversary of the official ending of the American Revolutionary War. This treaty will form the centerpiece of an upcoming exhibition, “1783: Subject or Citizen?” opening in October. East Rotunda Gallery, August 29 through September 3.
Special Exhibit in College Park, Maryland
Auditorium Lobby at the National Archives Research Center:
"The Long View" features digitally produced facsimiles of historic panoramic photographs from the Still Picture holdings.
Motorcycle Corps, Army Motor Service - Under Command of J. S. Berryman. US Capitol. Wash., DC. Jan. 26, 1919, By R. S. Clements. Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs (165-PP-60-47)
The exhibit not only showcases the wide variety of panoramic techniques, but also includes National Archives records such as cartographic maps and patent drawings that relate to the photographs. Thirty-four panoramas and other records are on display and span the period from 1864 to 1997.
See more panoramas online.
Traveling Exhibits
The traveling exhibit program makes it possible for people across the country to experience selected historical documents and artifacts that reflect our national experience.
Eyewitness: American Originals from the National Archives
Drawing on rarely displayed documents, audio recordings, and film footage culled
from the extensive holdings of the National Archives and its Presidential libraries,
"Eyewitness" features first-person accounts of watershed moments in
history.
Online exhibit
Tour itinerary:
October 2008–January 2009 (tentative) |
Durham Western Heritage Museum, Omaha, NE |
Online Exhibits
Dozens of exhibits can be experienced online. Visit Now!
Locations, Hours, and Contact Information
The National Archives Experience
Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, DC
For details, see the Visitor's Map or visit the National Archives Experience.
- Daily, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Last admission is 30 minutes prior to closing.
In celebration of the July 4th holiday weekend, the National Archives Experience will extend its hours until 9 p.m. on July 4, 5 & 6.
Open every day except Thanksgiving and December 25.
Admission free.
All events listed in the calendar are free unless noted; reservations are not required unless noted. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue.
For details, see the Visitor's Map or visit the National Archives Experience.
For reservations or to be placed on the mailing list, call 202-357-5000 or e-mail public.program@nara.gov.
The National Archives Research Center
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC and 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD.
Research Hours have recently changed.
Check the Washington, DC and College
Park location information for details.
Call 202-357-5450 for a docent-led guided tour.
TDD: 301-837-0482. The National Archives is fully accessible. To request an accommodation (such as a sign language interpreter) for a public program, please call 202-357-5000 or e-mail public.program@nara.gov at least two weeks prior to the event.
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