Associate Chief Joseph A. Banco Jr. is a highly decorated, 22-year-veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol. During his long and distinguished career, Mr. Banco served on our Nation’s southwestern, coastal, and northern borders as well as internationally.This uniform was worn during the late 1990s betwee

This display explores the active and largely overlooked role played by women throughout World War I, both as a part of the preparedness effort before 1917 and afterwards as uniformed members of both the U.S. military and civilian voluntary organizations. In a larger historical context, the exhibi

Union belt buckle found on the battlefield at Winchester, Virginia.

Cesar Estrada Chavez, the founder of the United Farm Workers of America, is one of the most recognized Latino civil rights leaders in the United States. A Mexican American born in Yuma, Arizona, his family lost their small farm in the Great Depression (1930s). Like many Americans, they joine

This one-cent piece from 1974 is perfectly normal-except for one thing. It was struck in aluminum rather than bronze. Lincoln's bust graces the obverse, just as it has done for over ninety-five years. And the Lincoln Memorial appears on the reverse, just as it has since the closing years o

This flag belonged to the 84th Regiment of Infantry, United States Colored Troops. The red stripes bear the regiment's name and number and some of the battles in which the 84th fought. The unit was organized April 4, 1864 and mustered for service on March 14, 1866. The unit fought

At the Department of Commerce’s Official Website, students have access to information about the twelve different bureaus under the department’s control. Student and teachers can also learn about the history of the Commerce Department in a section of the website that includes milestones of the

The United States National 34-Star flag was adopted with the admission of Kansas as the 34th state in January 1861. It was used until 1863 when West Virginia became a state. At no time did the national flag lose stars.

In 1848, the largest single gold rush in history was just getting under way in California.  The event triggered a mass migration of fortune hunters from around the world.  The territory has only recently passed into American hands as an outcome of U.S. victory in the Mexican War. 

By the time they broke with England, the thirteen American colonies had been issuing paper currency for nearly a century. Both they and the loose central government they set up under the Articles of Confederation to oversee matters of common concern would continue to do so throughout the War of I