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Explore history on National Archives Day! From ancient artifacts to personal letters, there's something fascinating for everyone at the archives.
Get ready to celebrate the preservation and importance of historical documents on National Archives Day on October 21! This day was created to recognize the vital role that archives play in our society, from safeguarding valuable records to providing access to important information. Did you know that the United States' National Archives and Records Administration is responsible for preserving over 10 billion pages of textual records? That's definitely something worth celebrating! So take some time today to appreciate the efforts of archivists and librarians who work tirelessly to preserve our history.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1731</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>British Museum Foundation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The British Museum, which includes one of the world's oldest public national archive collections, was founded.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>U.S. National Archivist Role</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the 1800s, the role of the Archivist of the United States was formalized to preserve important governmental documents.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1934</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>U.S. National Archives Creation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration was created, maintaining billions of pages of important records.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1966</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Freedom of Information Act</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Freedom of Information Act enacted in the U.S., promoting greater public access to governmental documents stored in archives.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2001</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Digital Archives Emergence</div><div class='timeline-text'>The introduction of digital archives revolutionized the availability and accessibility of historical documents, ensuring preservation and access in the digital age.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit your local archives</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a trip to your local archives and explore the historical documents and artifacts that are housed there. You might learn something new about your community or even your own family history.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend an archives tour</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many archives offer guided tours to showcase their collections and provide insight into the preservation and organization of historical documents. Take advantage of this opportunity and sign up for a tour on National Archives Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer at an archives</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Contact a local archive and inquire about volunteer opportunities on National Archives Day. You can help with organizing and cataloging documents, or even lead a tour for visitors.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a scrapbook of historical documents</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather old photos, letters, and other documents and create a scrapbook to preserve your own personal history. This is a great way to honor National Archives Day and ensure that your own historical records are preserved for future generations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a movie night featuring documentaries about archives</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends over for a movie night and watch documentaries about archives and the importance of preserving historical documents. This is a fun and educational way to celebrate National Archives Day.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Preserving our history</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Archives Day is a reminder of the importance of preserving historical documents and records, which provide valuable insight into our past. These archives allow us to learn from our history and shape a better future.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Access to information</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The National Archives not only preserve historical documents, but also make them accessible to the public. This allows individuals to research and discover their own personal histories, as well as gain a deeper understanding of their country's past.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promoting transparency and accountability</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By preserving government records, the National Archives promote transparency and accountability in the workings of our government. This allows for greater trust and understanding between the government and its citizens.</p></div></div>
National Archives Day is celebrated on October 21st every year. In 2024 National Archives Day will fall on a Monday.
2023
Oct 21
Saturday
2024
Oct 21
Monday
2025
Oct 21
Tuesday
2026
Oct 21
Wednesday
2027
Oct 21
Thursday
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