2015 Press Releases

National Archives Remembers Holidays during Wartime in December
Press Release · Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Washington, DC

The National Archives remembers holidays during wartime with a series of public programs in December. These events are free and open to the public and will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, with the exception of the Featured Document Display that is in the East Rotunda Gallery. Attendees should use the Special Events Entrance on Constitution Ave. at 7th St., NW.

BOOK TALK:  A Christmas Far from Home: An Epic Tale of Courage and Survival during the Korean War
Thursday, December 4th, at noon
Just before Thanksgiving in 1950, General MacArthur announced an “end-the-war-by-Christmas” offensive, but tens of thousands of American troops were trapped by the Chinese along the Yalu River border. Historian Stanley Weintraub tells the story of the Christmas escape of American troops surrounded by the enemy in Korea’s harsh terrain. A book signing will follow the program.

FILM:  The Battle of the Bulge
Tuesday, December 16th, at noon
Nearly 80,000 American soldiers were wounded, captured, or killed at the Battle of the Bulge, Hitler's last-ditch counterattack against Allied forces at the end of the Second World War. In commemoration of the 70th anniversary, we are screening a compelling chronicle of this bloody battle that includes newsreel footage and film from German and American archives. This historic battle overlapped with Christmas in 1944. (2004; 90 mins.)

Related Document Display:  Surrender? Nuts to You!
East Rotunda Gallery of the National Archives Museum, through January 5, 2015
The National Archives Museum shares an unusual original holiday message from General Anthony McAuliffe, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, to his troops. On Christmas Eve, 1944, the 101st Airborne was besieged by German forces in the small Belgium town of Bastogne. General McAuliffe used this message to rally his troops by recounting his now famous “NUTS!” reply to a German surrender demand.

Related Program:  “Deck the Halls: Holidays at the White House
Thursday, December 11th at 7 p.m.
Tim Gunn, star of Project Runway, will lead a panel discussion on White House holiday decorations through history. Panelists—including Lynda Johnson Robb, daughter of President Johnson; Genevieve Gorder, host of HGTV’s White House Christmas; former White House Chief Usher Gary Walters; and Coleen Christian Burke, author of Christmas with the First Ladies—will explore the themes, designs, and processes that go into decking the White House halls, rooms, and exterior. A book signing will follow the program, which will be webcast live

The National Archives Museum is located on the National Mall on Constitution Avenue at 9th Street, NW. Attendees should use the Special Events Entrance. Metro accessible on Yellow or Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial station. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., daily. Free admission. Additional information on exhibits and programs at the National Archives Museum can be found online.

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