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Featured Exhibition in the National Archives Museum's Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery
Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the National Archives launched a nationwide initiative and major exhibition that explores the generations-long fight for universal woman suffrage. Despite decades of marches, petitions, and public debate to enshrine a woman’s right to vote in the Constitution, the 19th Amendment – while an enormous milestone – did not grant voting rights for all. The challenges of its passage reverberate to the ongoing fight for gender equity today.
As the steward of our nation’s memory, we tell the story of the 19th Amendment through a special exhibition in Washington, DC, free public programming, a national traveling exhibition, classroom displays(distributed to nearly 1,600 schools and libraries), educational offerings (for teachers and students, both off and on-line) and digitization of women’s records. Several initiative components will specifically shine a spotlight on voting as a civic duty – from revealing the often dire consequences faced by non-voting populations to providing the opportunity to register to vote directly from our Museum. A non-partisan agency, we encourage all to be “election-ready” and exercise their right to vote.
On June 10, 1919, the very first states (Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan) ratified the 19th Amendment. Follow along with us as we countdown to celebrate each state’s ratification of the landmark Amendment.
Past Featured Exhibits
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Remembering Vietnam
The Vietnam War impacted attitudes, policies and the way Americans view their government and their nation’s place in the world. It altered the way the government conducts war and interacts with the media. And yet, more than 50 years since the U.S. committed combat troops... Read more
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Amending America
Only 27 times—out of more than 11,000 proposals—have Americans reached consensus to amend the Constitution.
It is difficult—but not impossible—to turn an idea into an amendment. So few amendments have been successful because our Constitution sets a high bar to pass amendments. So, what kinds of proposals... Read more
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Spirited Republic: Alcohol in American History
“Spirited Republic” is the National Archives Museum’s latest special exhibition, and explores the role of the government and alcohol in American society.
Dating back to the documents listing the wine that Lewis & Clark took on their expedition — and the spirits George Washington and his generals... Read more
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Making Their Mark: Stories Through Signatures
A signature can be as routine as a mark on a form or as extraordinary as a stroke of the pen that changes the course of history. Through their signatures, for example, the 56 men who signed the Declaration of... Read more
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School House to White House: The Education of the Presidents
Some of the Presidents attended neighborhood public schools, and some of them learned in rural classrooms; others studied under tutors and attended prestigious private schools. Many of the Presidents participated in extracurricular activities and organized sports while they attended school.
The challenges of studying various subjects, completing... Read more
