Pay tribute to the courage and lifesaving service with our U.S. Coast Guard collection. Originally started by Alexander Hamilton as the Revenue Cutter Service to enforce trade laws and combat smuggling, this force officially adopted the name United States Coast Guard in 1915. Operating under the proud motto "Semper Paratus," which translates to Always Ready, the Coast Guard stands constant guard over the nation's shores and waterways. 

Forest Service Region 8 Engineer Cleve Ketcham had a good sense of humor, and in 1974, he drew up a detailed cocktail construction chart. As the nation’s record keeper, the National Archives holds in trust the records of all the branches of government, including the U.S. Forest Service. It seems that when the Forest Service records from 1974 were pulled for storage, Ketcham’s joke was in the mix, and someone must have thought that this record was just too good not be preserved in the National Archives.

Cleve “Red” Ketcham passed away in 2005, but he has since been commemorated in the National Museum of Forest Service History.

The National Archives Store is pleased to offer you a wide selection of reproductions, gift items and apparel related to the infamous Cocktail Chart. Purchases from the National Archives Store generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world.

 

Bring a touch of history to everyday moments with our Coffee Mugs & Tea Cups collection. Inspired by some of America’s most historic documents, famous posters, and iconic landmarks, each design combines practicality with heritage. Perfect for bringing a small piece of U.S. history into your home, these pieces make daily routines a little more memorable.

Here can be a short description of this collection.

Bundle up with our Cool Weather Gear collection, complete with hoodies, jackets, beanies, gloves, and more. Inspired by the National Archives' holdings, military seals, and other motifs from American culture, there's something for everyone to get ready for the chilly seasons. 

Here can be a short description of this collection.

The National Archives Store's Cuff Links collection is the perfect way to combine history with a touch of style. The perfect gift for the suit-wearer, our cuff links are all inspired by the holdings of the National Archives or are pieces of history themselves. 

Explore our collection of cutting boards, inspired by American history and heritage.

Drafted by 33-year-old Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty. It was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and announced that the 13 American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states and no longer a part of the British Empire. 

Instead, they formed a union that would become a new nation: the United States of America.

Today, the Declaration of Independence continues to inspire people around the world to fight for freedom and equality.