Press/Journalists

December Public Programs at the National Archives
Press Release · Thursday, October 12, 2000

Washington, DC

In December, the National Archives and Records Administration presents public programs covering a wide variety of topics, including the Clinton Presidency, WWII, the Korean War, Abraham Lincoln, and UFOs.

The programs are free and open to the public and will take place at the National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. The public may verify times and dates by calling the National Archives public events line at (202) 501-5000. TDD users may call (202) 501-5404.

Friday, December 1-Photography/Clinton Presidency
Robert McNeely will discuss his book, The Clinton Years: The Photographs of Robert McNeely. As President Bill Clinton's official photographer from 1992 to 1998, Mr. McNeely has traveled the world and roamed the halls of the White House--a virtual fly-on-the-wall, documenting the day-to-day political and private lives of President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Clinton Years presents in dramatic detail a behind-the-scenes look at the White House with intriguing glimpses into the personal side of Clinton's Presidency. Noon and 7 P.M. Room 105. Reservations recommended; call 202-208-7345

Tuesday, December 5-Primary Sources
Roger Bruns will discuss his book Almost History. This fascinating collection of speeches, memos, and other archival material reveals how our government would have handled historic moments that almost, but did not come to be. This extraordinary and often provocative material demonstrates, in handwritten notes, telegrams, memos, and photographs, just how close we came to defeat, disaster, and distress, and provides chilling proof that the course of history can change in an instant. Mr. Bruns is the Deputy Director of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Noon. Room 105. Reservations recommended; call 202-208-7345.

Thursday, December 7-World War II
Williamson Murray and Allan R. Millett analyze the operations and tactics that defined the conduct of the war in both the European and Pacific Theaters in their book, A War to Be Won: Fighting the Second World War, 1937-1945. Moving between the war room and the battlefield, this book shows how strategies were crafted and revised, and how the multitudes of combat troops struggled to discharge their orders. Included are incisive portraits of the military leaders on both sides of the struggle, demonstrating the ambiguities they faced, the opportunities they took, and those they missed. Throughout, the authors show the relationship between the actual operations of the war and their political and moral implications. Noon and 7 p.m. Theater. Reservations recommended; call 202-208-7345.

Tuesday, December 12-Korean War
Bill Gilbert will discuss his book, Ship of Miracles. In December of 1950, when Captain Leonard La Rue spied from his 12-man merchant ship, the Meredith Victory, the throng of Korean refugees on the docks of a city in flames, he didn't hesitate to do what others would consider impossible. Ship of Miracles is the incredible story of what has been called "the greatest rescue operation by a single ship in the history of mankind." Against all odds, the little merchant vessel transported its precious cargo from the city of Hungnam to the island of Koje-Do on Christmas Eve completely unharmed, all fourteen thousand refugees alive and well, including an additional five new lives begun on this incredible journey. Noon. Room 105. Reservations are recommended; call 202-208-7345.

Wednesday, December 13-Abraham Lincoln series: Abraham Lincoln vs. Jefferson Davis
Confederate president Jefferson Davis and Union president Abraham Lincoln offer us a thought-provoking study in similarities and contrasts in their leadership styles, abilities, personalities, goals and accomplishments. Steven Lee Carson will discuss his views on the two Civil War leaders. He will offer examples of Lincoln's artful employment of humor to persuade and motivate other Union leaders - a technique standing in sharp contrast to Davis's humorless style and penchant for antagonizing his fellow Confederates. A former president of the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia, Mr. Carson edits the Manuscript Society News and has spoken on Lincoln from the U.S. Capitol to the Kremlin. Cosponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Institute of the Mid-Atlantic. Noon. Room 105.

Thursday, December 14-Unidentified Flying Objects
David Jacobs will discuss his book, UFOs and Abductions: Challenging the Borders of Knowledge. This controversial book makes the case that the study of UFOs merits the serious attention of the intellectual establishment. Advocating credibility for this much-maligned field of research, historian David Jacobs and his co-authors highlight some of the key events, issues, themes, and theories surrounding this elusive, complex, and compelling subject. This volume provides a kind of primer for scholars, skeptics, and others uneasy about investigating this field. Its authors examine the nature of UFO "evidence"; discuss the methodological debates; incorporate research from science, history, mythology, and psychology; and highlight the reactions of the government and military from the Cold War to the present. 7 P.M. Room 105. Reservations are recommended; call 202-208-7345.

For PRESS information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700. To verify the date and times of the programs, the public should call the Public Events Line at: 202-501-5000, or view the Calendar of Events on the web at: http://www.archives.gov/about_us/calendar_of_events/index.html.

01-09

This page was last reviewed on July 3, 2018.
Contact us with questions or comments.

Top