Emmett Till Records Release

Many new records—now digitized—were released today regarding the tragic murder of Emmett Till. They are available here. This release is in response to the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018. 

This release consists of materials from the Justice Department (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the United States Commission on Civil Rights. This is an initial release of federal records related to the case. Records created during later federal investigations are not included, and will be part of later releases.

The National Archives partners with the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board to review many civil rights related records. 

This month marks 70 years since this tragic, watershed moment in American history. Our thoughts are with the Till family.

Memorandum to Assistant Attorney General Warren Olney III, page 1 

NAID: 603432

Hawaii - The 50th State

Despite protests from Native Hawaiians, Hawaii was annexed by the U.S. on August 12, 1898, after the passing of the Newlands Resolution, making it a U.S. territory. More than 60 years later, on August 21, 1959, President Eisenhower signed the Hawaii Admission Act admitting Hawaii as the 50th state.

Visit the National Archives online to learn more and view many of the historical documents created on Hawaii’s path to statehood.

Statement on Hawaii statehood by Secretary of the Interior Fred A. Seaton. NAID: 16607081

Off the Record at the Clinton Presidential Library

Join the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, in Little Rock, AR, on August 26, 2025, at 6 p.m. CT, to welcome Stephanie S. Street to the latest session of “Off the Record.” Stephanie will be pulling back the curtain on her time in the West Wing — sharing personal stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and what it was really like to help shape the schedule, strategy, leadership, and legacy of a presidency. 

Register here for your tickets to this free, in-person event.

Dr. Oz and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Visit the National Archives

The National Archives welcomed Dr. Mehmet Oz and staff from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, to view America’s Founding Documents in the historical Rotunda and Lincoln autopsy documents in the “National Vault.”

Dr. Oz and the CMS team tour the National Archives Museum. 
View the photos on X.