In the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 71 years ago today, agencies of the U.S. government swung into action.  The Army and Navy immediately went on a war footing as did American diplomats in the Department of State and at embassies and consulates around the world.  Since the formal outbreak of war [...]

The Great Depression had a serious negative impact on the situation of American diplomatic and consular officials overseas.  As the end of the first year of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency drew near, the President sent the following note to Secretary of State Cordell Hull: MEMORANDUM FROM             THE PRESIDENT [...]

Agency correspondence files are like treasure troves. One never knows what one will find inside. Unlike program or subject files, correspondence files often vary widely by topic, capturing the inquiries, suggestions and outrages of the American public. Records of the U.S. Marine Corps are, of course, no exception and the series “General Correspondence, compiled 01/01/1939 – [...]