Image Gallery for "All American: The Power of Sports" Exhibit Press Kit
Jesse Owens after winning the gold medal in the 100-meter sprint. Behind him is his teammate, silver medalist Ralph Metcalfe. 1936. National Archives, Collection of Foreign Records Seized
Chick-a-dee softball team, Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California, 1942. Photograph by Francis Stewart
National Archives, Records of the War Relocation Authority
Baseball card from a 1909-1911 series produced by the American Tobacco company. In August 2021, a T-206 Honus Wagner from this series sold for $6.6 million, making it the most expensive sports card in history.
National Archives, Records of the U.S. Attorneys
In 1988 Dominique Dawes became the first Black gymnast on the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastic team. As a member of the “Magnificent Seven” in 1996, Dawes helped win the team’s first gold medal.
Girl Power poster featuring Dominique Dawes, 1997
National Archives, Records of the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration
Bye-bye bustles and floor-skimming hoop skirts. Hello bicycles! Women embraced the freedom from restrictive clothing, mobility and independence these vehicles offered. Before a woman could hop on a bike, most relied on men to transport them. With this piece of inexpensive and readily available equipment, they could go where they wanted, when they wanted.
H. Luey bicycle habit patent drawing, 1895.
National Archives, Records of the Patent and Trademark Office
President George W. Bush waves to the crowd as he stands with Yankees manager Joe Torre, (left) and Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly (right) on the field for Game Three of the World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York City on October 30, 2001.
Photograph by Eric Draper National Archives, George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Uncle Sam wins every time! Cartoonist Clifford Berryman observed that Uncle Sam would always be a winner in the annual Army-Navy game. There’s a bit of that feeling at many national level contests—no matter who wins, America’s team wins.
Clifford Berryman cartoon, 1914 National Archives, Records of the United States Senate
One month after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, boxer Joe Louis volunteered for the Army. The Heavyweight Champion’s sense of duty may have reassured some who questioned Black loyalty to the U.S. The media and the military embraced him as a national hero. Soon after, Louis spoke the words that became one of the war’s most famous slogans.
“Pvt. Joe Louis says” Office of War Information poster, 1942
National Archives, Records of the Office of Government Reports