MLK Records #1 Downloaded Across Government

The National Archives—in partnership with several other government agencies—recently released over 230,000 pages of records related to the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

In the first few days after their release, the MLK assassination records were the most downloaded files across any U.S. federal government website --- even more than passport applications. Learn more in this National Archives News story.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (detail) by Jack Lewis Hiller, 1960, Gelatin silver print, used with permission of the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Jack Lewis Hiller.

60th Anniversary of Medicare & Medicaid

On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid Act, also known as the Social Security Amendments of 1965, into law. It established Medicare, a health insurance program for the elderly, and Medicaid, a health insurance program for people with limited income.

The Medicare and Medicaid Act, also known as the Social Security Amendments of 1965, was signed into law on July 30, 1965, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. NAID: 299908

Winston Churchill's Descendent Visits National Archives

On July 22, 2025, Edward Churchill–a descendent of Sir Winston Churchill–and new International Churchill Society (ICS) Executive Director Dr. Adam Howard got a behind-the-scenes look at some of the National Archives' holdings regarding Winston Churchill at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Archivist Trevor Plante (left) shows Edward Churchill (center; in suit) documents related to Sir Winston Churchill's attendance at a meeting to go over the final plans for Operation Overlord in May 1944.