Ms. Y

Florin, California. Two of the nine American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who have returned to their home town on furloughs that were granted to them in order that they could assist their families prepare for evacuation of all persons of Japanese ancestry from their west coast homes. This community is depending on their returned service men for many errands, shopping, banking, etc., because the soldiers are permitted to travel into town, nine miles away, while others cannot because of military restrictions. 05/10/1942

Dorothea Lange, Photographer. From the Central Photographic File of the War Relocation Authority

(via todaysdocument)

nypl:

Happy Mustache Monday!

This is Charlie Gould, who played ball for the Cincinnati Red Stockings, among other teams. According to Harry Ellard’s book Baseball in Cincinnati: A History, he was one of the more affable players in the league and his fielding prowess was so well known that fellows called him “the bushel-basket.”

We have a photo of his wife Laura, as well, so she joins him as a special, non-mustached Mustache Monday guest.

ourpresidents:

The Unconditional Surrender of Germany

On May 7, 1945, the European conflict of World War II ended when Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims, France.

In this photo, Colonel General Gustaf Jodl, German Chief of Staff signs the documents of unconditional surrender, under which all remaining forces of German Army are bound to lay down their arms. 

On Jodl’s left is General Admiral Von Friedeburg of the German Navy, on his right is Major Wilhelm Oxenius of the German General Staff. 

-from the FDR Library

nypl:

Happy Mustache Monday!

Unidentified man in a portrait by Noah Gifford, 54 Purchase Street (corner of William), New Bedford, Mass.

How much does the president matter?  

What do you think?

ourpresidents:

Which Presidential Inaugural Address was Best?

This question just came in from a fan of the National Archives:

“Is there a consensus as to which presidential inaugural address was the best? I recognize that in this case “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and it may be more accurate to think of the top five rather than single one out.  Any advice would be appreciated.”

Photo of President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivering his fourth Inaugural Address, 1/20/45.

Help a fellow out.  Which Presidential inaugural addresses are at the top of your list?

todaysdocument:

On April 9, 1865, Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee met in the parlor of a house in Appomattox Court House, VA, to discuss this surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, which would end the Civil War. According to the terms, the men of Lee’s army could return home in safety if they pledged to end the fighting and deliver their arms to the Union Army.

via Our Documents »

ourpresidents:

75,000 People Gather on the National Mall to Hear Marian Anderson Sing

On this day, April 9, 1939, Marian Anderson performs from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. 

When Howard University invited her to perform in Washington, they approached the Daughters of the American Revolution about the use of their auditorium, Constitution Hall.  The DAR’s rejection on the basis of Ms. Anderson’s skin color prompted First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to publicly resign from the organization.

More on the story behind this concert, here.

-from the FDR Library

nypl:

Hey, Connecticut - today’s Mustache Monday is for you. This is former US senator, governor, mayor of Hartford, and influential businessman Morgan G. Bulkeley. His photo resides in the library’s A. G. Spalding Baseball Collection because he formed the Hartford Dark Blues in 1874 and was the first president of the National League when it was created in 1876. 

According to the Baseball Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 1937, “He was able to enhance the overall image of the league when he decided to target issues as illegal gambling, drinking and fan rowdiness.” 

(Source: ctheritage.org)

Charlie Chaplin, comedy star of the “movies,” making his first speech for the third Liberty Loan in front of the State, War and Navy Building, Washington, D.C., on first anniversary of U.S. entry into war. 04/06/1918

(via todaysdocument)