Past Exhibits

Photograph of Hiroshima after Atomic Bomb, 1945

Featured Document Display: The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Thu, 07/23/2020 - Wed, 08/26/2020
World War II marked the first—and only—wartime use of atomic weapons. The U.S. bombing of Japan helped to bring an end to the deadliest war in history, but resulted in many more civilian deaths.

Featured Document Display: 75th Anniversary of the United Nations Charter
Fri, 06/12/2020 - Wed, 07/22/2020
The United Nations was established after World War II in an attempt to maintain international peace and security and to achieve cooperation among nations on economic, social and humanitarian problems.

Jubilant American soldiers, seamen and civilians celebrating Germany's unconditional surrender at London, England, May 7, 1945

Featured Document Display: 75th Anniversary of V-E Day: End of WWII in Europe
Thu, 04/30/2020 - Wed, 06/24/2020
In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, the National Archives features the English and German surrender documents signed at Berlin on V-E Day.

California--Siskiyou National Forest, May 1972 (Detail), National Archives, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency, 542848

Featured Document Display: Earth Day: 50th Anniversary
Fri, 04/17/2020 - Wed, 04/29/2020
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with artist Robert Rauschenberg's iconic Earth Day poster.

Featured Document Display: National Inventor’s Day: Marjorie S. Joyner
Thu, 02/06/2020 - Fri, 04/17/2020
Celebrate African American History Month and National Inventor's Day (February 11) by exploring the records of inventor and activist Marjorie S. Joyner.

Former prisoners at Wobbelin Concentration Camp after its liberation by the 82nd Airborne, May 4, 1945.

Featured Document Display: Never Forget: Remembering the Holocaust
Thu, 01/16/2020 - Wed, 02/05/2020
On the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, historic records and footage is presented in memory of all Jewish victims of the Holocaust and other victims of Nazism.

Comic strip showing flying saucers over Washington, DC

Featured Document Display: 50 Years Ago: Government Stops Investigating UFOs
Thu, 12/05/2019 - Wed, 01/15/2020
The U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book concluded its investigation into unidentified flying objects 50 years ago, but American fascination with UFOs endures. These records are presented in recognition of this anniversary and Americans' ongoing curiosity.

Special Featured Document Display: #FIGHTFINISHED: Celebrating the Washington Nationals' 2019 World Series Championship
Fri, 11/01/2019 - Mon, 11/11/2019
Celebrate the Washington Nationals' 2019 World Series Championship with a special document display in the West Rotunda Gallery.

Photograph: “Corporal George Miner, a Winnebago from Tomah, Wisconsin; standing with rifle, on guard duty, January 2, 1919, German Niederahren region.”

Featured Document Display: Honoring Native American Soldiers' World War I Service
Thu, 10/10/2019 - Wed, 12/04/2019
In honor of National American Indian Heritage Month and Veterans Day, a collection of World War I records will be exhibited to highlight one of the unique ways that Native American soldiers used their language and cultural heritage to serve the country.

Life Magazine Cover of the Woodstock Festival

Featured Document Display: Woodstock 1969
Thu, 08/08/2019 - Wed, 10/09/2019

The 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair featured some of the greatest performers of the time and attracted an audience of 400,000.