National Archives Free Public Programs in October 2005
Press Release · Monday, September 19, 2005

Press Release
September 19, 2005

National Archives Free Public Programs in October 2005

Washington, DC…The National Archives October public programs theme "Coming to America" celebrates immigration, genealogy, and family history with topics related to the Marshall Plan, Operation Pedro Pan, and a special exhibition of unique Revolutionary War era family records. Reservations are recommended. Reserve by email (public.program@nara.gov) or telephone 202-501-5000.

Programs are free and open to the public. The William G. McGowan Theater is located in the National Archives Building on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, DC. Room G-24 is located in the National Archives Building Research Center. Please note: the public must use the National Archives Building Pennsylvania Avenue entrance between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, to access Room G-24. Some lectures will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, facility.

Tuesday, October 4 -Building an American "Hill Station" in the Philippines: An Early 20th-Century Japanese Migrant Community
In the early 20th century, officials of the U.S. colonial government in the Philippines decided to build a highland resort, Baguio City, to provide relief from the heat and diseases of the tropical lowlands. Using records in the National Archives, Patricia O. Afable, a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution, will explore the role of Japanese laborers, artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs in laying this city's foundations. 11 a.m. Room G-24. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, October 6, at 11 A.M.)

Friday, October 7--Exhibit Opening
Two original silk-on-linen samplers record family events in the lives of Revolutionary War soldiers Chester Goodale and Peter Booth. They were submitted to the Federal Government in pension applications and are preserved among the National Archives Revolutionary War pension files. These unique family records are featured as part of this month's celebration of immigration, genealogy, and family history. East Rotunda Gallery, through October 23.

Tuesday, October 11--Publicizing the Marshall Plan: Records of the U.S. Special Representative in Europe, 1948-1950
The Marshall Plan was established after World War II to rebuild European prosperity and bolster the democracies against the threat of communism. Kenneth Heger, chief of the Archives I Support Research Branch, will use records to illustrate how the United States sought to win European support for the recovery programs. 11 a.m. Room G-24. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, October 13, at 11 A.M.)

Wednesday, October 12--Hispanics in the Military: An Artist's Interpretation
Eddie Martinez, former artistic designer for the entertainment industry, will present and discuss "Latino Blood with American Hearts," a series of illustrations and maps that trace Hispanic contributions to the military throughout U.S. history. Individual servicemen and women will be highlighted. Noon. William G. McGowan Theater.

Monday, October 17--Churchill and America: An Archival Perspective
Sir Martin Gilbert, Winston Churchill's official biographer, will discuss his critically hailed new book, Churchill and America. During two world wars, Churchill was the main British voice urging the closest possible cooperation with the United States. Sir Gilbert explores Churchill's close relationships with Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman and how his diplomacy preserved democracy in Europe. Called a "richly textured and deeply moving portrait of greatness" by the Los Angeles Times and "a masterpiece of scholarship" by The Independent (London), Churchill in America creates an intriguing portrait of Churchill's 70-year relationship with the United States. 7 p.m. William G. McGowan Theater. Reservations required.

Tuesday, October 18--Using World War I Naval Records to Do Genealogy Research
Archives technician Nathaniel Patch will describe how to conduct genealogical research using a variety of World War I naval records. 11 a.m.. Room G-24. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, October 20, at 11 A.M.)

Wednesday, October 19--Decision Making in the American Civil War
Three noted historians and authors discuss decision making in the American Civil War. John F. Marszalek, professor emeritus of history at Mississippi State University, analyzes the command decisions and differing perspectives of the generals, particularly Henry Wager Halleck and William Tecumseh Sherman. Craig Symonds, professor of history at the U.S. Naval Academy, looks at Abraham Lincoln and his admirals. James McPherson, professor emeritus of history at Princeton University, examines Lincoln and his generals. Noon. William G. McGowan Theater.

Thursday, October 27--Operation Pedro Pan
From 1960 to 1962, in a program partially funded by the U.S. Government, 14,048 Cuban minors arrived in Miami, sent to America by parents terrified that the new communist government would ship their children to Soviet work camps. Operation Pedro Pan was the largest recorded exodus of unaccompanied minors in the Western Hemisphere. This evening, Elly Choval, Founder and Chairperson, Operation Pedro Pan, Inc., moderates a panel discussion featuring three former Pedro Pan refugees: Eduardo Aguirre, U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra; The Reverend Dr. Luis León, 14th Rector of St. John's Church in Washington, DC; and Maria de los Angeles Torres, professor of political science at DePaul University in Chicago. The film The Lost Apple (28 minutes), produced by the United States Information Agency to document the mission and legacy of Operation Pedro Pan, will be screened. Robert D. Jew, Director of EEO/Diversity Programs at the National Archives, will introduce the program. 7 p.m. William G. McGowan Theater. Reservations required.

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For PRESS information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs Office at 202-501-5526.

To verify the date and times of the programs, the public should call the Public Programs Line at: (202) 501-5000, for information, or view the Calendar of Events on the NARA web site. To contact the National Archives, please call 1-866-272-6272 or 1-86-NARA-NARA (TDD) 301-837-0482.

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