Press Release
Press Release · Tuesday, December 2, 1997

http://www.archives.gov/digital_classroom/lessons/alaska_migration/alaska_migration.html

Washington, DC . . . The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) announces a new digital classroom project on its website. "Migration North to Alaska," presents documents related to Alaska’s history and offers project ideas related to the 1998 National History Day theme: Migration in History.

The Alaska Purchase Treaty, the canceled check for Alaska, photographs depicting Alaska’s vast natural resources, student letters and Federal flag designs submitted upon statehood highlight some of the economic, social and political factors that prompted thousands to migrate north to Alaska. The documents serve as valuable starting points for student research because many of the same factors encouraged global migration throughout history.

The National Archives and Records Administration recognizes that students participating in National History Day acquire useful historical knowledge while developing research, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills that will help them locate, manage and use information now and in the future. Archivist of the United States John W. Carlin has been a member of the National History Day Board of Directors since 1996, and NARA is proud to support the program throughout the year.

The NARA education website also offers exercises that help students learn about the holdings of the National Archives, offers instructions on how to conduct research and encourages student inquiries that can generate helpful responses. For a full listing, visit http://www.archives.gov/digital_classroom/teaching_with_documents.html.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or e-mail public.affairs@nara.gov.

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