Youngsters performing at a small community program in Chicago, August 1973. Photographer: John H. White. National Archives Identifier 556287
Join us in a celebration of Black History Month! As one of the primary sources for African American historical documents, the National Archives provides access to tools and other resources that can be used while conducting research. The National Archives is proud to safeguard and make available documents that demonstrate the contributions of Black Americans to our nation’s history and democracy. Learn more in the following online resources:
Additionally, National Archives News has a special topics page showcasing educational resources, published articles, featured holdings, and public programs related to Black history.
Members of the 99th Fighter Squadron of the Army Air Forces, including 1st Lt. Andrew Lane, February 1944. National Archives Identifier 520624
No Mail, Low Morale: The 6888th Central Postal Battalion
The 6888th Central Postal Battalion, also nicknamed the “Six Triple Eight,” were not only the sole all African American battalion in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), but they also were the only all African American, all women battalion sent overseas during World War II.
In honor of Black History Month, we’re looking at how Black designers have shaped our world! Join us for an #ArchivesHashtagParty on Instagram and Twitter this Friday, February 3, for #ArchivesBlackDesign as we share and celebrate great design by Black creatives, including architecture, fashion, illustration, inventions and more.
Join us as a Citizen Archivist and help make records more searchable and findable in the Catalog!
American Civil War Military Service Records, “United States Colored Troops”
We invite you to help transcribe records related to the “United States Colored Troops". These records include the military service records of Union volunteer soldiers who served during the American Civil War. Records include jackets (folders) containing cards on which information relating to individuals, companies, and regiments of the Volunteer Service of the United States during the Civil War have been copied from original records such as muster rolls, returns, descriptive books, and morning reports.
On May 22, 1863, the War Department issued General Order 143, establishing a “Bureau of Colored Troops” in the Adjutant General’s Office to recruit and organize African American soldiers to fight for the Union Army. With this order, all African American regiments were designated as “United States Colored Troops (USCT)”. Learn more about the digitization of these records on the Pieces of History blog.
Every word you transcribe helps to make these records more searchable and accessible online. Get started transcribing!
