Dr. Shogan’s Weekly Summary and Social Media Report: December 16-December 20, 2024

Newly naturalized citizens celebrate in the Rotunda of the National Archives, December 13, 2024 during a special event in celebration of Bill of Rights Day. (National Archives photo by Susana Raab)
Newly naturalized citizens celebrate in the Rotunda of the National Archives, December 13, 2024 during a special event in celebration of Bill of Rights Day. (National Archives photo by Susana Raab)

Last week Dr. Shogan provided remarks during the Naturalization Ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2024. Learn more about this ceremony on the National Archives News.

Advertisement from Chocolate Candy Penny Goods, Philadelphia Quartermaster, 1914. NAID: 66956639
Advertisement from Chocolate Candy Penny Goods, Philadelphia Quartermaster, 1914. NAID: 66956639

On December 16, 2024, Dr. Shogan posted this advertisement for chocolate candies, sent to the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot in 1914.

First Cat Socks inspects his stocking a few days before the Clintons’ first Christmas in the White House. Photo credit: Barbara Kinney, December 21, 1993.
First Cat Socks inspects his stocking a few days before the Clintons’ first Christmas in the White House. Photo credit: Barbara Kinney, December 21, 1993.

On December 17, 2024, Dr. Shogan posted two photos of “Socks,” the Clinton White house pet. Read more about our Presidential Libraries here.

On December 17, Dr. Shogan and Deputy Archivist William J. Bosanko released a statement on the Equal Rights Amendment and the National Archives Responsibility to uphold the integrity of the constitutional amendment process.

Visit the National Archives Resources About the Equal Rights Amendment to learn more about the Equal Rights Amendment.

On December 18, Dr. Shogan shared how the poinsettia got it's name: it was named for Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first US minister to Mexico. Poinsett brought the plant back from Taxco, Guerrero, and popularized it. The records from his time in Mexico are part of the State Department Holdings.
Archivist David Langbart and Dr. Shogan


On December 18, Dr. Shogan shared how the poinsettia got its name: it was named for Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. minister to Mexico. Poinsett brought the plant back from Taxco, Guerrero, and popularized it. The records from his time in Mexico are part of the State Department Holdings.

Original caption: “Two hundred trees at a time were loaded in a sled and brought down to the banking ground, where 800 fit into a truck ‘ready to roll to Los Angeles or San Francisco to be put into cold storage.’” NAID: 37596287
Original caption: “Two hundred trees at a time were loaded in a sled and brought down to the banking ground, where 800 fit into a truck ‘ready to roll to Los Angeles or San Francisco to be put into cold storage.’” NAID: 37596287

On December 18, Dr. Shogan posted a trivia fact for her followers. “Did you know that on average, a Christmas tree grows for seven years before it’s tall enough for harvest.” Read more about the history of picking the perfect tree.

On December 19, Dr. Shogan posted a photograph of quilts from the National Archives Catalog.
Image of quilts on display. NAID: 3220781

On December 19, Dr. Shogan posted a photograph of quilts from the National Archives Catalog.

Photograph of Santa Fe’s “fast mail” train No. 8 and catcher arm to pick up mail in communities not scheduled for stops en route from Los Angeles to Chicago, ca. 1950s. 28-M-C-1.
Photograph of Santa Fe’s “fast mail” train No. 8 and catcher arm to pick up mail in communities not scheduled for stops en route from Los Angeles to Chicago, ca. 1950s. 28-M-C-1.

On December 20, Dr. Shogan posted a photo of Santa Fe’s “fast mail” train No. 8, with routes between Chicago and Los Angeles post #WWII. That’s a “catcher arm” in the foreground. It picked up mail in communities not scheduled for stops! You can read more about the National Archives railroad and other transportation records here.

On January 23, 2025, join us for the next installment of Inside the Vault. 

Throughout American history, secret messages, ciphers, codes, and cryptology have played crucial roles in various secret events and operations. From the Revolutionary War to modern times, these techniques have been used to protect sensitive information and ensure secure communication. In partnership with the National Cryptologic Museum, join us as we explore these exciting topics. Moderated by Vincent Houghton, Director, National Cryptologic Museum, panelists include National Cryptologic Museum experts Jen Wilcox, Director of Education; Rob Simpson, Chief Librarian/Archivist; and MacKenzie Fox, Director of Preservation and Conservation.

This program is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.

On January 23, 2025, join us for the next installment of Inside the Vault.

Throughout American history, secret messages, ciphers, codes, and cryptology have played crucial roles in various secret events and operations. From the Revolutionary War to modern times, these techniques have been used to protect sensitive information and ensure secure communication. In partnership with the National Cryptologic Museum, join us as we explore these exciting topics. Moderated by Vincent Houghton, Director, National Cryptologic Museum, panelists include National Cryptologic Museum experts Jen Wilcox, Director of Education; Rob Simpson, Chief Librarian/Archivist; and MacKenzie Fox, Director of Preservation and Conservation.

This program is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.


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