About the National Archives
Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever.
Those valuable records are preserved and are available to you, whether you want to see if they contain clues about your family’s history, need to prove a veteran’s military service, or are researching an historical topic that interests you. Learn more
Spotlight on National Archives History
The National Archives and Records Administration became an independent federal agency in 1985. Learn about how the archives came into independence in a video panel discussion about our journey.
Prologue: NARA's Quarterly Magazine
Current Issue:
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LBJ's Long Shadow The legacies of the Great Society and the Vietnam War buildup shape history's assessment of the nation's 36th President. |
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Battlefilm Thousands of scenes of World War I action exist today in NARA's trove of images from motion pictures of the Great War. |
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Sage Prophet or Loose Cannon? A skilled intelligence officer in World War II foresaw Japan's plans, but annoyed Navy brass as a colorful and controversial figure. |
