Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), The Reverend Jessie Jackson, and Dr. John Hope Franklin view the Emancipation Proclamation at the National Archives, Washington, DC. The blog author (his escort) stands behind them. Early this morning, The Reverend Jessie Jackson, icon of the American civil rights movement passed away at the age of 84. He will be remembered as a transitional figure who was on the balcony when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, carried the torch into th

My companion for miles of travels and hours of study. Unique in the world and only sustained by use. When Pollyanna shows up at the dance wearing black, pay attention. You all know me as THE eternal optimist. That’s probably one of the reasons you read this blog and along with me, “Ride to the Sunshine.” So, when I am worried, I hope that you take notice. This morning, all media outlets were running the same quote from Donald Trump who last night said to Dan Bongino, former l

Evelyn Lincoln, Personal Secretary to President John F. Kennedy, with the President Evelyn Maurine Norton Lincoln was the long-time...

Hotel de Pontalba, Residence of the US Ambassador to France The caller on the phone was emphatic. “We would love to have you for a tour,...

English translation: My deepest appreciation to John Constance for his superb organizing for a most memorable evening. Mark O. Hatfield....

Yes, this blog was and is intended to be non-political. But it is like saying that you never intended to be a fireman when one night you...

Photo by T.C. Andersen I have now written 150 blogs in the 3+ years of Constancely Hoping and over 25 percent of them have had to do with my 35 years at the National Archives in Washington DC. With close to 1,000 views, the blog entitled A President’s Casket (November 21, 2021), has been my most popular. (Leading me to wonder why In the Room Where it Happened ( October 20, 2021) never did as well. It was one of my first blogs and I hope you’ll check it out.) https://www.con

It occurred to me the other day that November 5th will be one of the most important days of my life. To not write something on the topic...

Senator Joe Biden, 2002 While Joe Biden came to the National Archives on more than one occasion during my tenure, outside of social...

Billionaire Republican Congressman, heir to the HUFFCO Energy fortune, husband of Arianna Huffington (Greek-born founder of the...

As is often the case in recent years, when a high-profile member of the US Senate or House of Representatives passes away, friends ask me...

In the Spring of 2005, I got a call from Bob King, long-time chief of staff to Congressman Tom Lantos of California. I had developed a...

From the National Archives Oral History catalog: John Constance, whose storied National Archives career spanned 35 years from 1972 to...

When I was at the National Archives, we were unwillingly drawn into the controversy regarding the public display of the Ten Commandments....

Not so fast there, my friend. No, this blog is not about politics, but about human values, common decency, and naivete. Early in my...

Be careful what you wish for when researching your family history I feel that I have sufficient credibility to comment on the American...

I looked up the definition of “legacy” this week and was surprised that Webster lists money or property as the first meaning of the term....

Those of you who know me, have heard me say, "when you work at the Vatican you have to work Christmas Eve; and when you work at the...

In the context of a world where everything is partisan, everything is divided, everything pushes us to make an affirmative choice between...

[A dear friend recently invited me to address a luncheon meeting of retired members of the NC Bar at the NC State University Club. A...