Upcoming Special Document Displays at the National Archives Museum
Press Release · Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Washington, DC

Commemorating Historical Anniversaries Spring through Fall of 2014

From April 17 through November 3, 2014, the National Archives will commemorate significant historical anniversaries with special featured document displays in the East Rotunda Gallery of the National Archives Museum.

The rotating featured document display, located near displays of the original Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, is seen by more than one million visitors each year. As each record is displayed, more information about its history and free access to high-resolution images of the document [www.archives.gov/nae/visit/featured-documents.html] will be available through the National Archives website.

The National Archives Museum's "Featured Documents" exhibit is made possible in part by the Foundation for the National Archives through the generous support of Toyota.

The National Archives Museum is located on the National Mall on Constitution Avenue at 9th Street, NW. 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.

The documents scheduled for display are:

Smith-Lever Act of 1914 , signed by President Woodrow Wilson 100 years ago, creating the national Cooperative Extension System to expand programs at land-grant universities. (April 17 – May 8)

Mother’s Letter to the Children’s Bureau, one of hundreds of letters written by mothers and soon-to-be mothers seeking advice and support in the care of children. This 1916 letter from Mrs. Neil Williams to Julia Lathrop is displayed in honor of Mother’s Day. (May 9 – 21)

125th establishment of the Shiloh National Cemetery by the War Department in 1889, displayed in honor of Memorial Day. The cemetery holds 3,584 Civil War dead, 2,359 of whom are unknown. (May 22 –June 5)

G.I. Bill of Rights of 1944 , passed by Congress 70 years ago, providing benefits to World War II veterans, including grants for school and college tuition, low-interest mortgages, and unemployment benefits. (June 6– July 14)

Tonkin Gulf Resolution of 1964 , commemorating the 50th anniversary of Congress giving President Lyndon Johnson the authority to increase U.S. involvement in the war between North and South Vietnam. (July 15 – August 7)

President Richard Nixon’s resignation letter to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (August 9, 1974) and President Gerald Ford’s full and unconditional pardon of Nixon (September 8, 1974). (August 8 –11)

House Passage of the Bill of Rights, celebrating its 225th anniversary. The First Congress proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution, 10 of which were ratified and are now collectively known as the Bill of Rights. (August 12 – September 10)

Documents and an artifact commemorating the 1814 burning of Washington and attack on Baltimore and Fort McHenry , During the War of 1812, British forces occupied Washington, burning the White House and other government buildings. Just weeks later the Americans held off the British at the Battle of Baltimore including a 25 hour bombardment of Fort McHenrythat inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to “The Star Spangled Banner” 200 years ago. (September 11 – November 3)

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For press information contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

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