Exhibitions

More than 20 formal gowns and pieces of apparel of American First Ladies are on display at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in a new exhibit, Why They Wore It: The Politics & Pop Culture of First Ladies’ Fashion, which breaks new ground by exploring — for the first time — how each First Lady used her favorite styles to advance her own — and her husband’s — agenda, by embracing special causes and promoting political positions.

This new, highly-visual, originally-curated exhibit at the Nixon Library will dig up a time capsule to peel back a veil on the presidential election that capped one the most divisive, colorful, and consequential years in American history.

The three final presidential candidates will present you with their contrasting visions for America — and America's role in the world — culminating in the chaotic Democratic National Convention in Chicago and Richard Nixon's hairbreadth victory that November.

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2016 marked the 225th anniversary of the Bill of Rights - the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.

The National Archives and Records Administration or NARA recognized the importance of the anniversary with the creation of the "Amending America" project for learning more about the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments to the Constitution.

The "Amending America" exhibit, National Conversations on #RightsandJustice, and free eBooks are among the available resources that explore how, why, and when the Constitution has been amended "in order to form a more perfect union" for all.

Amending America eBooks include:

• Amending America exhibition catalog
• Putting the Bill of Rights to the Test Workbook for students
• Congress Creates the Bill of Rights focusing on the leadership of James Madison in creating the Bill of Rights
   

Click HERE to learn more about NARA's "Amending America" project and amendments to the United States Constitution.

Ever wondered how the process to amend the Constitution works? Watch this short "Amending America: How Do We Amend?" video:

Would you like to see the Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other historical documents in person? Visit the NARA building in Washington, DC to view the Charters of Freedom in the Rotunda. LEARN MORE HERE

The 26th Amendment

The 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, was certified on July 5, 1971. President Richard M. Nixon and three of the "Young Americans in Concert" (Julianne Jones, Joseph W. Loyd, Jr., and Paul S. Larimer) witnessed the certification of the amendment by Robert Kunzig, Administration of General Services. President Nixon and the three young people also signed as witnesses.

On May 22, 1994, President Richard Nixon was posthumously awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.  Recognized by the United States Congress as one of America's most prestigious awards, it is conferred annually by the Ellis Island Honors Society on 100 Americans who are committed to using their time, talents, and resources to help those less fortunate than themselves, and who have distinguished themselves in their own ethnic group while exemplifying the values and spirit of America.

President Nixon's Ellis Island Medal of Honor will be on display at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California, from Friday, June 22, through Wednesday, July 4.

On Friday, June 29, the Pacific Symphony's performance of Peter Boyer's acclaimed "Ellis Island: The Dream of America" will be nationally broadcast on PBS' "Great Performances."  To celebrate this "first" for Orange County, a free-to-the public pre-screening program will be held at the Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University at 8:00 p.m.  In  addition to viewing the entire program "on the big screen," a brief panel discussion will feature Boyer; Nasser Kazeminy, Chairman of the Ellis Island Honors Society; Carl St.Clair, Pacific Symphony Conductor; and others.  A number of Ellis Island Medalists will be in attendance.