Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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31 March 1945

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (1882-1945)

Typed letter signed

Title: to James V. Forrestal

Writes in reference to the Research Board for National Security, a group that provides for civilian participation in scientific research on problems of national defense. Informs that he is transmitting a program to Congress for the Office of Scientific Research and Development for 1946 that considers continuing the Office's activities on a two-front war basis for the year. Advises that no funds be given to the Research Board for the fiscal year 1946.

GLC00162.17

15 August 1945

Forrestal, James, (1892-1949)

Typed document

Title: [Naval Dispatch Announcing Victory in Japan]

Typed Naval dispatch concerning the end of World War II. This message was received in the radio room of the USS Vella Gulf CVE-111, an escort carrier, at sea in the Northwest Pacific with 26th carrier division of the 7th fleet (just days before she had been anchored at Okinawa). The message reads "All hands of the United States Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard may take satisfaction in the conclusion of the war against Japan and pride in the part played by them in accomplishing that result.

GLC09649.01

12 May 2017

Jones, Ralph N Jr., (fl. 1944-2017)

Typed document

Title: [Affidavit of Ralph N. Jones Jr.]

Typed affidavit of Ralph N. Jones Jr. with a copy of his Navy ID and discharge cards. According to the discharge card he served from September 25, 1944 to June 25, 1946. According to the affidavit, Jones was serving on the USS Vella Gulf CVE III as a radio man and on duty when the ALNAV message came over the wire. This affidavit is signed and notarized.

GLC09649.02

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