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47 films
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence, a document authored by Thomas Jefferson.
Four U.S. presidents-Thomas Jefferson, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, and Ronald Reagan-are examined for their distinct interpretations of American national identity and mission.
Four key figures-George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison-shaped the U.S. government between 1783 and 1789.
200 years after the founding of the United States, figures like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson reflect on the state of America and its government.
Joseph Ellis discusses the American Revolution, a conflict that lasted from 1773 to 1783 and involved a struggle for independence marked by significant violence.
The War Department fire on November 8, 1800, destroyed many records, prompting a focus on what survived and how it reached the National Archives.
David M. Rubenstein hosts discussions with historians about significant figures in American history, stemming from a series launched in 2013 at the Library of Congress.
Cokie Roberts joined National Public Radio in 1978 and spent over 40 years in broadcasting, earning numerous awards for her work.
Every four years, 538 electors cast their votes for President in December, a process rooted in the U.S. Constitution established in 1787.
In 1950, Jack Benny invites Hollywood stars to his home to discuss a film project promoting civic engagement led by Father James Keller.
Thousands of families participated in a virtual July 4 event at the National Archives, featuring Thomas Jefferson discussing the Declaration of Independence.
John Adams served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801, facing challenges that defined the role of the presidency.
A gathering of Hollywood stars, including Bing Crosby and Loretta Young, discusses the mission of The Christophers to inspire public service careers.
The 54th and 55th Massachusetts Infantry and the 5th Cavalry were among the first black regiments formed during the Civil War, despite widespread opposition.
Seventy years after the Supreme Court's ruling, discussions with former law clerks of Justice Thurgood Marshall reflect on the ongoing impact of the decision.
Richard Brookheiser discusses 13 key documents from 1619 to 1987 that define America's unique relationship with liberty.
Thirty-six thousand dollars was the cost to create the Faulkner murals in the National Archives Rotunda, a significant sum during the Great Depression.
Akhil Reed Amar's analysis covers decades of debate over governance from 1760 to 1840, addressing issues like slavery and territorial expansion.
More than a million visitors view the Declaration of Independence each year at the National Archives, where its ideals shaped American aspirations.
The Bill of Rights was put on view in the National Archives rotunda in 1932, long before it was exhibited alongside the Constitution in 1952.
A 73-73 tie in the 1800 Electoral College led to Thomas Jefferson's election as the third President of the United States after intervention by Alexander Hamilton.
Thomas Jefferson wrote to artist Charles Wilson Peale in January 1802 about his plan for a general university in Virginia, which he considered a major achievement.
Two-thirds of the Declaration of Independence consists of grievances against the British crown, which Senator Mike Lee argues remain relevant today.
A panel of scholars discusses the historical context of diversity in 1776 and its impact on the Declaration of Independence and contemporary issues.
All four pages of the Constitution will be on display permanently for the first time at the National Archives following a two-year renovation.
Twenty-eight countries were represented by their Ministers of Education at a recent event in Washington, D.C., discussing the role of education in diplomacy.
Dolly Madison saved the Declaration of Independence and George Washington's portrait from British troops during the War of 1812.
John Adams, portrayed by actor Peyton Dixon, discusses his role in drafting the Massachusetts State Constitution and its significance in American history.
The National Archives holds approximately 13 billion pieces of paper, including records from 14 presidential libraries, as part of its mission to preserve government documents.
On July 4, 1776, the insurgents declared their freedom from British rule, igniting a war for independence that reshaped the future of the United States.
32,000 British troops prepare to invade New York in June 1776, as the Continental Army, led by George Washington, fights for American independence.
The Second Day of July 1776 is described as the most memorable moment in American history by Abigail Adams in a virtual presentation by the National Archives.
Timothy Matlack inscribed the final engrossed version of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, correcting three mistakes in the 1,337-word document.
A roughly 28-count indictment against King George, the Declaration of Independence asserts that all men are created equal and outlines the colonies' desire for freedom.
On June 28, 1776, Thomas Jefferson presented a 1,500-word draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Committee of Five for review.
Alexander Tsesis argues that the preamble to the Constitution should play a central role in understanding contemporary issues like health care and campaign financing.
The Declaration of Independence contains the core contradiction of claiming all men are created equal while its author, Thomas Jefferson, was a slave owner.
43% of potential voters in Catalonia participated in a controversial independence referendum, with 90% supporting the move for independence from Spain.
DNA evidence confirmed in 1998 that Thomas Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hemings, a relationship denied by his family for nearly 200 years.
A dramatic reading of Frederick Douglass's 1852 speech will be followed by a discussion with Nathan Johnson and Robert S. Levine.
In 1826, Thomas Jefferson dies on July 4, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, alongside fellow Founding Father John Adams.
The National Archives houses the first Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, which acknowledged the United States' independence from Great Britain.
Two-thirds of the officers were killed during the retreat from the western frontier, marking a significant moment in George Washington's early military career.
On December 13, 1952, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were transferred to the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.
A Japanese American combat team, known for their motto "Go for Broke," is featured among various government films produced over 75 years.
20 feet beneath the National Archives, a specially constructed vault provides safe storage for the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers a speech from George Washington's desk at City Hall to commemorate the US's 250th anniversary.
