1980s

Robert M. Warner served as sixth Archivist of the United States from July 1980 to April 1985. He led the fight for the agency’s independence from the General Services Administration, which became effective April 1, 1985. Dr. Warner describes November 8, 1984 as “one of the very best days of my life. . . Music filled the Rotunda of the National Archives. The usual quiet, almost reverent atmosphere of the splendid classical building which houses our nation’s most treasured documents was joyously shattered” by the singing of ‘To Dream the Impossible Dream.’… An impossible dream had come true, an impossible hope was fulfilled. An impossible fight had been won. And we were celebrating.” Warner penned Diary of a Dream: A History of the National Archives Independence Movement, 1980-1985. Image created by the School of Information, University of Michigan.