Depending on its form, chocolate has served many roles for members of the military: a comforting treat or drink, a token of friendship, a form of currency and, in some cases, the difference between life and death. This post explores veterans’ memories of eating and drinking chocolate during wartime, as documented in Veterans History Project collections.
A World War I scrapbook recently acquired by the Veterans History Project includes rare and fascinating photos of World War I aviation and aviators—including Teddy Roosevelt’s son Quentin Roosevelt, who was shot down over France in 1918. Read all about how the scrapbook illustrates the history of the 95th Aero Squadron.
Happy birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps! Established on November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps has been “always faithful” ever since. 250 years later, in recognition of this monumental birthday, the Veterans History Project (VHP) presents “Semper Fidelis: the U.S. Marine Corps,” an online presentation featuring 20 narratives from Marines who served across the years and around the globe. Through oral histories and original memoirs, correspondence, diaries and photographs, these veterans share their experiences as part of the few, the proud.
A vivid watercolor portraying a soldier writing a letter home. A graphite sketch of a comrade looking pensive. A detailed woodcut depicting a street scene in North Africa. Together, these works capture not only the sights of war, but also the humanity within it – through the eyes of Army medic and artist William K. …
This blog highlights a special display celebrating artwork held within Veterans History Project (VHP) collections, on view December 9, 2025, through January 31, 2026, in the Thomas Jefferson Building. Unique amongst VHP’s holdings are two-dimensional works of art, such as drawings, paintings, illustrations and photographs, documenting servicemembers’ experiences from WWI through Iraq and Afghanistan.
Timed around the Project’s 25th anniversary, the display underscores the ongoing mission to preserve and share veterans’ voices, ensuring these stories remain accessible for future generations.
This post announces the launch of “Forged By the Sea,” the Veterans History Project’s latest online exhibit, which celebrates the Navy’s 250th birthday. The post discusses Navy history in broad terms and spotlights some of the featured collections, as well as directing readers to additional Navy-related resources.
Happy 250th birthday to the United States Army! Today, the Veterans History Project (VHP) debuts the newest installment of our online exhibit, Serving: Our Voices. This feature launches the celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday, which will officially be observed on June 14, 2025. The modern U.S. Army is rooted in the establishment of the …
Today, the Veterans History Project launches a new online exhibit focusing on the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most pivotal and infamous battles of World War II. On December 16, 1944, the German army attacked Allied forces—mostly American units—positioned in the Ardennes Forest, a densely forested area along the borders of Belgium and …
In the wee morning hours of June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy, France. Given the code name OVERLORD, the operation was the largest amphibious assault in history, and would go on to be known simply as “D-Day.” Today, eighty years later, the Veterans History Project has captured and preserved more …
