News Article

Michael Beschloss To Be Honored With National Archives Foundation Highest Award

September 8, 2022

Washington, DC – The National Archives Foundation will honor award-winning and bestselling author, presidential historian, and 2005 News & Documentary Emmy Award winner Michael Beschloss with its prestigious Records of Achievement Award for his commitment to documenting and elevating American history.

The event will be held on the evening of October 19, 2022, at the National Archives in Washington, DC with Mr. Beschloss to be interviewed by renowned journalist, commentator and television anchor Andrea Mitchell. 

“Michael Beschloss is one of the most impactful authors and journalists of our generation. He has been an integral member of our Foundation Board, and a preeminent historian that our nation turns to for deeper understanding and clarity as the current events of the day unfold. We are honored to celebrate his achievements and bestow to him the Foundation’s highest honor,” said Governor Jim Blanchard, Chair and President of the National Archives Foundation Board of Directors.

The work of Mr. Beschloss embodies and compliments the National Archives Foundation’s mission to educate, enrich, and inspire a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage through the collected evidence of its history. Mr. Beschloss is one of the most-followed historians on social media with more than 820,000 followers and his work features poignant and moving historical images. For the quality of his content and the awareness he brings to American history, Michael Beschloss was on TIME’s list of the world’s top Twitter feeds and won Discovery Channel’s “Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Research” for Decisions That Shook the World.

“An enormously influential figure in the historical study of the U.S. presidency, Michael Beschloss has been called the ‘nation’s leading presidential historian.’ His impressive achievements as an author, documentarian, and commentator on presidential history speak for themselves,” said 10th Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero. “He has also been a staunch supporter of the National Archives, through his work serving on the Board of our Foundation. I can think of no other person at this time who is more worthy of receiving this award.”

Michael Beschloss Joins Illustrious List of Previous Awardees

Past recipients of the Records of Achievement Award include Jon Meacham, the late Cokie Roberts, First Lady Laura Bush, Tom Hanks, “Hamilton” creators: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail and Ron Chernow, Steven Spielberg, Ken Burns, Robert Edsel, Taylor Branch, David M. Rubenstein, John Hope Franklin, David McCullough, Tom Brokaw, Annette Gordon-Reed, Brian Lamb and C-SPAN, and James McPherson.

The Records of Achievement Award is the National Archives Foundation’s highest honor bestowed on an individual whose contributions have fostered a broader national awareness of the history and heritage of the United States as exemplified in the National Archives’ records. Through their work, recipients educate, enrich, and inspire a deeper appreciation of our country, its ideals and its aspirations. 

The 2022 Records of Achievement Award Ceremony and Gala is made possible in part by Governor Jim and Janet Blanchard, David M. Rubenstein, and Edgeworth Economics. Additional support is provided by Anonymous, BMO Financial Group, Anne Chao, Maris S. Cuneo Foundation, Marilynn and John A. Hill, Jacqueline B. Mars, The Daschle Group, DLA Piper LLP (US), Amb. Fay Hartog-Levin, Lucinda Robb, Deborah Ratner Salzberg, and Ross O. Swimmer.

About the National Archives Foundation

The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at www.archivesfoundation.org.

 

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