Adding the Emancipation Proclamation and 19th Amendment to the Charters of Freedom
In 2026, the Emancipation Proclamation and the 19th Amendment will be added to the Charters of Freedom display in the National Archives historic Rotunda. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring all enslaved people in rebellious areas of the United States to be free. The 19th Amendment enabled the largest enfranchisement in the history of the United States, removing voting restrictions for more than half of all Americans. Adding these landmark documents to the Rotunda alongside the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, conveys a more complete story of our nation’s ongoing pursuit of a more perfect union.
“In Pursuit” National Conversations
To promote national engagement leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the National Archives will partner with public figures to bring thought-provoking conversations to citizens nationwide.
Veterans and Military Programming
The National Archives holds records for all military conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the present. As the Army, Navy, and Marines celebrate the 250th anniversaries of their founding in 1775, the National Archives plans to host special programming and events to honor those who have served our country.
100 for 250
The National Archives, National Archives Foundation, and More Perfect are launching an initiative to celebrate the most notable 100 documents from the Archives. Americans will be invited to vote on these documents, and teachers will have access to new content to assist with teaching about critical episodes in American history using our nation’s most revered documents.
Letters to the Presidents
This collaboration among all Presidential Libraries will assemble letters to Presidents and First Ladies as a way to demonstrate the ongoing conversation between the American citizens and their government. The collected letters will emphasize diverse voices in our collections, the rich extent of our holdings, and the value in telling the stories of all Americans.
Digital Rotunda
The National Archives is developing a hyper-realistic virtual recreation of our Rotunda and Records of Rights exhibit to provide people from around the world the opportunity to visit these iconic spaces. In addition to offering a cutting-edge immersive experience, this resource will link teachers and students with educational materials highlighting National Archives’ holdings.