The National Archives Catalog

Release Date

Mandatory Repeatable Data Type Authority Level Available A/V Only Public Element
No Yes Date None Item Yes Yes
Definition:

The date on which the audiovisual item was released for distribution.

Purpose: Provides contextual information and serves as an access point to allow users to retrieve and sort audiovisual items by release date.
Relationship: This element is independent, but to have Release Date Qualifier, Release Date must be created.
Guidance:

Enter the date on which the item was released.

Use Release Date Qualifier to indicate an uncertain or approximate date.

It is not necessary to explain any distinction between Release Date and other date elements in Date Note.

Date Form
Enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY form.
If the day is unknown, enter the month and year in the MM/YYYY form.
If the month is unknown, enter the year in the YYYY form.
Do not use 00 as a month or day.

Examples:
08/31/1978
08/1978
1978


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