Today's Document

Ruin of the $7,000,000 City Hall by earthquake and fire.

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:00:40 -0400

Ruin of the $7,000,000 City Hall by earthquake and fire.

Record Group 330: Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Series: Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files

Original caption: The building was a monument of poor workmanship, materials and design. The U.S. Geological Survey Report on the San Francisco Earthquake of April 18,1906. (Possible photograph by Frank Soule) On April 18, 1906 at 5:15 AM a quake of 8.25 on the Richter scale hit San Francisco. Greater destruction came from the fires afterwards. The city burned for three days. The combination destroyed 490 city blocks and 25,000 buildings, leaving 250,000 homeless and killing between 450 and 700. Estimated damages, over $350 million

Ordinance of Secession of the Commonwealth of Virginia

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:00:32 -0400

Ordinance of Secession of the Commonwealth of Virginia

Record Group 59: General Records of the Department of State Series: Records Relating to the Virginia Ordinance of Secession

An Ordinance to Repeal the Ratification of the Constitution of the United States of American by the State of Virginia, and to resume all the rights and powers granted under said Constitution.

The people of Virginia, in their ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America adopted by them the Convention on the twenty fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight having declared that the powers granted under the said Constitution were derived from the people of the United States, and might be presumed whensoever the same should be perverted to their injury and oppression; and the Federal Government having perverted said powers not only to the injury of the people of Virginia, but to the oppression of the Southern slaveholding States.

Now, therefore, we, the People of Virginia do declare and ordain that the ordinance adopted by the people of the State, in Convention, on the twenty fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, and all acts of the General Assembly of this State ratifying or adopting amendments to said Constitution are hereby repealed and abrogated; that the Union between the State of Virginia and other States under the Constitution aforesaid is hereby dissolved; and that the State of Virginia is in the full possession and exercise of all of the rights of sovereignty which belong and appertain to a free and independent State. And they do further declare that said Constitution of the United States of America is no longer binding on any of the citizens of this State.

This ordinance shall take effect, and be an act of this day when ratified by a majority of the votes of the people of this State cast at a poll to be taken thereon on the fourth Thursday in May next, in pursuance of a schedule hereafter to be enacted.

Done in Convention in the city of Richmond on the seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty one, and in the eighty fifth year of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Massachusetts - Minots Ledge

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:00:32 -0400

Massachusetts - Minots Ledge

Record Group 26: Records of the U.S. Coast Guard Series: Lighthouses File Unit: Massachusetts - Minots Ledge

A wooden lighthouse rises above waves. Two tall ships are visible in the distance.

Birdwatching

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:32 -0400

Birdwatching

Record Group 22: Records of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Series: Photographs from the National Digital Library

Children and one adult hold binoculars to the eyes and look upward.

Interior View of Fort Sumter after Its Evacuation by Major Robert Anderson, 1st Artillery. U.S.A….

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:28 -0400

Interior View of Fort Sumter after Its Evacuation by Major Robert Anderson, 1st Artillery. U.S.A. Commanding

Record Group 121: Records of the Public Buildings Service Series: Photographs of Federal and Other Buildings in the United States

Original caption: interior View of FORT SUMTER on the 14th April 1847 after its evacuation by Maj. Robert Anderson, 1st Artl. U.S.A, Com. of

Showing the north end of West Barracks, with the two tiers of Armaments and Barbette of adjacent north channel face.

Photograph of a ruined fort. The Confederate flag flies above it.

Act of April 13, 1966 (Uniform Time Act of 1966), Public Law 89-387, 80 STAT 107, which promoted the observance of a uniform system of time throughout the United States.

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:00:29 -0400

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/299926

Record Group 11: General Records of the United States Government Series: Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress

S. 1404 PUBLIC LAW 89-387 Eighty-ninth Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the tenth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-six An Act To promote the observance of a uniform system of time throughout the United States. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the “Uniform Time Act of 1966” SEC. 2. It is the policy of the United States to promote the adoption and observance of uniform time within the standard time zones pre- scribed by the Act entitled “An Act to save daylight and to provide standard time for the United States”, approved March 19, 1918 (40 Stat. 450; 15 U.S.C. 261-264), as modified by the Act entitled “An Act to transfer the Panhandle and Plains section of Texas and Okla- homa to the United States standard central time zone”. approved March 4, 1921 (41 Stat. 1446; 15 U.S.C. 265). To this end the Inter- state Commerce Commission is authorized and directed to foster and promote widespread and uniform adoption and observance of the same standard of time within and throughout each such standard time zone. SEC. 3. (a) During the period commencing at 2 o'clock antemeridian on the last Sunday of April of each year and ending at 2 o'clock antemeridian on the last Sunday of October of each year, the standard time of each zone established by the Act of March 19, 1918 (15 U.S.C. 261-264), as modified by the Act of March 4, 1921 (15 U.S.C. 265), shall be advanced one hour and such time as so advanced shall for the purposes of such Act of March 19, 1918, as so modified, be the standard time of such zone during such period; except that any State may by law exempt itself from the provisions of this subsection providing for the advancement of time, but only if such law provides that the entire State (including all political subdivisions thereof) shall observe the standard time otherwise applicable under such Act of March 10, 1918, as so modified, during such period. (b) It is hereby declared that it is the express intent of Congress by this section to supersede any and all laws of the States or political subdivisions thereof insofar as they may now or hereafter provide for advances in time or changeover dates different from those specified in this section. © For any violation of the provisions of this section the Inter- state Commerce Commission or its duly authorized agent may apply to the district court of the United States for the district in which such violation occurs for the enforcement of this section and such court shall have jurisdiction to enforce obedience thereto by writ of injunction or by other process, mandatory or otherwise, restraining against further violations of this section and enjoining obedience thereto. SEC. 4. (a) The first section of the Act of March 19, 1918, as amended (15 U.S.C. 261), is amended to read as follows: “That for the purpose of establishing the standard time of the United States, the territory of the United States shall be divided into eight zones in the manner provided in this section. Except as pro- vided in section 3(a) of the Uniform Time Act of 1966, the standard time of the first zone shall be based on the mean solar time of the [complete transcription at link]

Petroglyph Along the Columbia River, 4/12/1956, Before Relocation Prior to Flooding of the Area by…

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:00:38 -0400

Petroglyph Along the Columbia River, 4/12/1956, Before Relocation Prior to Flooding of the Area by The Dalles Dam

Record Group 77: Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers Series: Historic Photographs

Image of an animal carved into stone with other shapes around it.

Memorandum, David K. Niles to Harry S. Truman

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:00:32 -0400

Memorandum, David K. Niles to Harry S. Truman

Collection HST-DKN: David K. Niles Papers Series: Civil Rights and Minorities Files File Unit: Civil Rights and Negro Affairs, 1936-1952: 1945-June, 1947 [1 of 2]

April 11, 1946

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT

You are certain to be asked this afternoon about your statement on the poll tax in Chicago.

Public reaction has been swift and seems to be growing. As indicated by the attached telegrams and clippings from the Washington Star (Lowell Mellett) and Washington Post (Herbert Elliston), there is a fear that you have abandoned your support of Federal action in favor of State action.

The question of Federal vs. State action is in some ways even hotter than the question of the poll tax itself and I feel your position should be clarified for the record before too much use is made of it.

I would suggest replying to the question somewhat as indicated on the attached page:

I have not changed my position on Federal anti-poll tax legislation. I am still in favor of Federal legislation. I voted for cloture on this issue in the Senate and I would do so again if I were a Senator.

However, I also favor state action. There is no contradiction between Federal and State action on this matter. While the Federal anti-poll tax legislation has been pending in the Congress, several states have abandoned the poll tax. This is a great step forward and I hope more states will see fit to change their poll tax laws.

It may well be that the possibility of Federal action has stimulated State action. This is often the case with state and local legislation. For example, while we have been pressing for Federal action on fair employment practice legislation, several states and a number of municipalities have adopted fair employment practices act. Federal legislation and State legislation should supplement one another wherever possible. I am in favor of both Federal and State action on anti-poll tax legislation, FEPC and all similar legislation.

Opening Day of 1961 Baseball Season. President Kennedy throws out first ball.

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:23 -0400

Opening Day of 1961 Baseball Season. President Kennedy throws out first ball.

Collection JFK-WHP: White House Photographs Series: Robert Knudsen White House Photographs

Opening Day of 1961 Baseball Season. President Kennedy throws out first ball. (first row) Vice President Johnson, President Kennedy, Dave Powers, Elwood Quesada. (second row) Secreatry of HEW Abraham Ribicoff, Assistant Press Secretary Andrew Hatcher, Senator Hubert Humphrey, Senator Everett Dirksen, Senator Mike Mansfield. (third row) Lawrence O'Brien, spectators. Washington, D.C., Griffith Stadium

Patent Drawing for a Muzzle for Pigs

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:00:35 -0400

Patent Drawing for a Muzzle for Pigs

Record Group 241: Records of the Patent and Trademark Office Series: Utility Patent Case Files

This is the printed patent drawing for a muzzle for pigs invented by Fred Eiffert.

NSDD 221 Narcotics and National Security

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:31 -0400

NSDD 221 Narcotics and National Security

Collection RR-NSC: Numbered National Security Policy Papers Series: National Security Decision Directives (NSDDs)

SECRET

DECLASSIFIED

Authority 4/20/05 Long to use file BY [illegible name] NARA DATE 6/10/11

THE WHITE HOUSE SYSTEM II

WASHINGTON 90060

April 8, 1986

SECRET [crossed out]

NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION

DIRECTIVE NUMBER 221

Narcotics and National Security (U)

Purpose. To identify the impact of the international narcotics trade upon U.S. national security, and to direct specific actions to increase the effectiveness of U.S. counter-narcotics efforts to enhance our national security. ©

Background. The expanding scope of global narcotics trafficking has created a situation which today adds another significant dimension to the law enforcement and public health aspects of this international problem and threatens the national security of the United States. ©

While the domestic effects of drugs are a serious societal problem for the United States and require the continued aggressive pursuit of law enforcement, health care, and demand reduction programs, the national security threat posed by the drug trade is particularly serious outside U.S. borders. Of primary concern are those nations with a flourishing narcotics industry, where a combination of international criminal trafficking organizations, rural insurgents, and urban terrorists can undermine the stability of the local government; corrupt efforts to curb drug crop production, processing, and distribution; and distort public perception of the narcotics issue in such a way that it becomes part of an anti-U.S. or anti-Western debate. (S)

While these problems are endemic to most nations plagued by narcotics, their effects are particularly insidious for the democratic states of the Western Hemisphere. Moreover, the expansion of narcotics activity creates a regional, as well as a country specific, problem. ©

A recent National Intelligence Estimate, “The International Drug Trade: Implications for U.S. Security” (NIE 1/8-85) examines the dangers from drug trafficking and highlights the following points: (S)

SECRET [crossed out]

Declassify on: OADR

SECRET

COPY 1 OF 13 COPIES [complete document and transcription at link]

Air Force One at Dusk at Los Angeles International Airport

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:00:29 -0400

Air Force One at Dusk at Los Angeles International Airport

Collection BHO-WHPO: Records of the White House Photo Office (Obama Administration)Series: Presidential Photographs

Original caption: President Barack Obama arrives on Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, April 7, 2016.

A military officer stands in the open door of Air Force One.

Oath of Office of President John Tyler

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:01:02 -0400

Oath of Office of President John Tyler

Record Group 59: General Records of the Department of State Series: Oaths of Office of Federal Appointees File Unit: 1799 thru 1860, T THRU V

oath of office

John Tyler

President of

The U.S.

April 6, 1841

BROWN’S

INDIAN QUEEN HOTEL

Washington

I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

[signed] John Tyler

April 6 1841

District of Columbia - City and County of Washington

I, William Branch, chief Judge of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia certify that, the above named John Tyler personally appeared before me this day, and although he deems himself qualified to perform the duties and exercise the powers and office of President on the death of William Henry Harrison, Late President of the United States, without any other oaths than that which he has taken as Vice President; yet as doubts may arise, and for greater caution, took and subscribed the foregoing oath, before me.

W. Branch

April 6th 1841

Presidential Proclamation 3404 of April 5, 1961, by President John F. Kennedy declaring Citizenship…

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:00:31 -0400

Presidential Proclamation 3404 of April 5, 1961, by President John F. Kennedy declaring Citizenship Day and Constitution Week.

Record Group 11: General Records of the United States Government Series: Presidential Proclamations

CITIZENSHIP DAY AND CONSTITUTION WEEK, 1961

———————————————————————————

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS the growth of our Nation and the safeguarding of its principles of liberty, justice, and opportunity rest upon the Constitution of the United States and

WHEREAS it us most fitting in these crucial times that all citizens, naturalized and native-born, pledge themselves anew to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and to rededicate themselves to the service of our country; and

WHEREAS by a joint resolution approved February 29, 1952 (66 Stat. 9) the Congress designated the seventeenth day of September of each year as Citizenship Day in commemoration of the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and in recognition of those citizens who have come of age and those who have been naturalized during the year; and

WHEREAS by a joint resolution approved August 2, 1956 (70 Stat. 932) the Congress requested the President to designate the week beginning September 17 of each year as Constitution Week–a time for the study and observance of the acts and events which resulted in the formation of the Constitution; and

WHEREAS those resolutions of the Congress authorize the President to issue annually a proclamation calling for the observance of Citizenship Day and of Constitution Week:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN F. KENNEDY, President of the United States of America, call upon the appropriate officials of the Government to display the flag of the United on all Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government building on Citizenship Day, September 17, 1961; and I urge Federal, State ,and local officials; as well as all religious, civic ,educational, and other organizations, to hold appropriate ceremonies on that day to inspire all our citizens to keep the faith of our Founding Fathers and to carry out the ideals of United States citizenship.

I also designate the period beginning September 17 and ending September 23, 1961, as Constitution Week; and I urge the people of the United States to observe that week with appropriate ceremonies and activities in their schools and churches and in other suitable places to the end that our citizens may achieve a better understanding and appreciation of the Constitution LAW DAY, U.S.A., 1961

———————————————

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS no nation can remain free unless its people cherish their freedoms, understand the responsibilities they entail, and nurture the will to preserve them; and

WHEREAS law is the strongest link between man and freedom, and by strengthening the rule of law we strengthen freedom and justice in our own country and contribute by example to the goal of justice under the law for all mankind; and

WHEREAS the Congress of the United States, by a joint resolution approved April 7, 1961 has designated the first day of May of each year as Law Day, U.S.A, and has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling for appropriate observance of that day; and

WHEREAS the objectives are to urge Americans to rededicate themselves to the ideals of equality and justice under law in their relations with each other and with other nations; to cultivate that respect for law which is vital in a democratic society; and to foster a full understanding IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

[left margin Seal provided left margin]

DONE at the City of Washington this [penciled] fifth [end penciling] day of [penciled in] April in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty fifth.

[right margin signature] John F. Kennedy

[left margin] By the President:

[signature] Dean Husk

Secretary of State

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SERVICE FILED AND MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION

Apr 6 1101 AM'61

IN THE OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL REGISTER 3404

Second Class Boarding Certificate on Transatlantica Italiana for Francisco Caronsenuto

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:00:34 -0400

Second Class Boarding Certificate on Transatlantica Italiana for Francisco Caronsenuto

Record Group 85: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service Series: Subject and Policy Files File Unit: Passports and Papers Which Have Become Detached and Others Which Cannot be Returned to Owners

Brightly colored second class ticket in Italian.

A port bow view of the oiler USNS PASSUMPSIC (T-AO-107) conducting an underway replenishment of the…

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:01:20 -0400

A port bow view of the oiler USNS PASSUMPSIC (T-AO-107) conducting an underway replenishment of the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV-61) and the French destroyer LATOUCHE-TREVILLE (D-646) during Operation Desert Storm

Record Group 330: Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Series: Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files

Two ships sailing alongside an aircraft carrier seen from above.

General – Communications, Ordnance, Missile

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:00:33 -0400

General – Communications, Ordnance, Missile

Record Group 127: Records of the U.S. Marine Corps Series: Photographic Reference File File Unit: General – Communications, Ordnance, Missile

Original caption: High atop this stack of 500 lb bombs, an ordnanceman of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Korea inventories his stock.

Hdqtrs. No. A-131052

DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS)

RELEASE DATE: Apr. 2, 1951

TSgt. Vance Jobs

White House Press Briefing Following Assassination Attempt on Ronald Reagan

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:33 -0400

White House Press Briefing Following Assassination Attempt on Ronald Reagan

Collection RR-SMOF: White House Staff and Office Collections Series: White House Office of the Press Secretary: Press Briefings File Unit: White House Press Briefing #50 [4/1/1981]

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

PRESS BRIEFING

LARRY SPEAKES

April 1, 1981

12:13 P.M. EST

MR SPEAKES: Good afternoon. First of all, I want to let you know that I spoke with Sarah Brady this morning from the hospital. Sarah, is, of course, very encouraged by the reports on Jim. She specifically wanted to say that she had numerous calls from Jim’s friends in the media and that she wanted you to know that she deeply appreciates these telephone calls. She has, of course, not been able to get back to anyone at the present time. But she hopes to soon. She just specifically wanted to call and let you know that she appreciates it.

I transmitted to her that your feelings were that most of these calls were certainly not for news but from friends of Jim who wanted to know about his situation and express your feelings for Jim through Sarah.

I just talked to Dr. Ruge at the hospital. The President has just awaken from a nap and the situation is as we announced it in the medical statement this morning We anticipate having another medical statement this afternoon, probably around 3:00. These statements, as you know, follow the doctor’s rounds in visiting the President and that explains the fluid time as to when they release hime.

Q. What do you mean the doctors’ rounds?

MR. SPEAKES: When the doctor visits the patients.

Q. You mean Ruge or others?

MR. SPEAKES: Others and Ruge. We are now handling out the personnel announcements, presidential appointments – Kieran O'Doherty to be Commissioner of the Postal Rate Commission and the President plans to designate him as Chairman; Warren T. Lindquist to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the New Community Development Corporation, and, once the appointment is effective, he will become General Manager and Chief Executive Officer; Fred J. Villella to be Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; William R. Gianelli to be Assistant Secretary for the Army for Civil Works; Lawrence J. Korb to be Assistant Secretary to the Defense, Manpower Reserve and Reserve Affairs and Logistics; Shelby T. Brewer to be Assistant Secretary of Energy, Nuclear Energy. These had been earlier signed by the President. These are not the ones that he signed today which are now going through our normal paperwork procedure. And I don’t anticipate having them today. The President –

Q. Larry, how many is he signing today, do you know?

MR. SPEAKES: No, I’ll have to check that figure.

Q. Could we take a look at his signature?

MR. SPEAKES: Yes, we’ll let you do that.

MORE #50-4/1

Q This was right before he was shot?

MR. SPEAKES: Yes.

Q Last week, in other words, late last week?

Q The Executive Order as well?

MR. SPEAKES: They will come in today. The President today, this morning, about 7:15 signed an Executive Order amending the generalized system of preferences. And the paper’s coming out on that. This is a matter of trade and it will – questions should be directed to the Trade Representative’s Office, 395-3406, who can answer them better than we can.

Pool Assignments for tomorrow: Newsweek writer, Time photographer, Sheridan radio correspondent, Detroit News, ABC, AP and UPI writer.

The Vice President’s schedule, which you’ve seen, luncheon with Director Casey at noon. At 2:00, National Security Council meeting in the Cabinet Room, 5:00 meeting with Dr. Garrett Fitzgerald, and at 6:30 a reception, and at 8:00 a performance at the National Theatre.

Q Were all of these the President’s appointments?

MR. SPEAKES: No, only the National Security Council meeting was.

Q Larry, apart from signing the Executive Order and the personal appointments and the legislation yesterday, what other Presidential business has he been able to conduct?

MR. SPEAKES: Why don’t you – I’ll come back to that, Bill, if you’ll let me tick through a few things here and remind me that you have a question pending.

Q Okay.

MR. SPEAKES: Tomorrow, the Vice President’s schedule, and this is the only part of it, and we’ll have a detailed one, of course, later, it includes a 1:00 Cabinet meeting, a 2:30 meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, a 3:00 meeting with GOP members of the House, Ways and Means Committee. Of that number, the Cabinet meeting and the GOP House members were Presidential meetings that were scheduled. Now, some details –

Q The meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister was not a Presidential –

MR. SPEAKES: Was not a Presidential – He had planned to see the Vice President. Okay, the President – then this is details on the hospital and it’s in excrutiating detail.

MORE #50-4/1 [complete document and transcript at link]

Diner - Truckers’ Stop on U.S. Route 11, Near Cloverdale, Virginia

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:40 -0400

Diner - Truckers’ Stop on U.S. Route 11, Near Cloverdale, Virginia

Record Group 30: Records of the Bureau of Public Roads Series: Historical Photograph Files File Unit: Buildings - Restaurants

Form 114

Classification Buildings Restaurants

No. 51-1716

State Virginia

Place

Photograph of four trucks parked next to a small roadside diner called Northway Cafe.

Description. Diner - truckers’ stop on U. S. Route 11, near Cloverdale, Virginia. Photo by T. W. Kines, March 31, 1951.

President Ronald Reagan During The Assassination Attempt Outside The Hilton Hotel in Washington DC

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:00:45 -0400

President Ronald Reagan During The Assassination Attempt Outside The Hilton Hotel in Washington DC

Collection RR-WHPO: White House Photographic Collection Series: Reagan White House Photographs

President Ronald Reagan waves outside a hotel. He is surrounded by security people and aides. Members of the press are visible to the right.