Federal Friday is a regularly updated page with information about different federal and state resources. Check it out every Friday to learn more about where to find data, media, reports and other content.
"Dividing any circle’s circumference by its diameter gives you the mathematical constant pi (π), which is usually rounded to 3.14. In the United States, March 14 can be written as 3.14, which is why that date was chosen for celebrating all things pi!"
Pi Day Activities for the Classroom
Students can solve some of the same problems NASA scientists and engineers do using pi!
10 Ways to Celebrate Pi Day with NASA on March 14
"In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.Res.224 officially designating March 14 as "National Pi Day," recognizing the date as an approximation of the mathematical constant Pi (3.14) and encouraging schools to celebrate the day with educational activities related to mathematics and Pi."
"Pi Day: U.S. production values of seven popular pie ingredients approach $7 billion (2023)" 
National Institutes of Health: Biomedical Beat Blog – National Institute of General Medical Sciences
"In honor of Pi Day, we asked several biomedical researchers in the field of computational biology to tell us why they love math and how they use it in their research."
March is Women's History Month
"The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history."
American Women: A guide to Women's History Resources at the Library of Congress
"A major new online research guide highlights hundreds of sources that tell the stories of women through a wide variety of perspectives and media in the Library of Congress collections. "
Masters of Tradition: A Cultural Journey Across America (Smithsonian)
"Explore the Masters of Tradition story map. Discover the rich diversity of cultures and artistic traditions that enliven our nation."
A Collection of Women's History through Photos and Documents on Flickr (National Archives)
In Our Own Voice: Songs of American Indian Women (Smithsonian Institution)
"Very little is known and appreciated about American Indian women's songs and voices, even among people who are familiar with American Indian music. Because most Native women's traditional singing takes place in the private, domestic settings associated with family, clan, ceremonial, or work activities, it is rarely heard or seen outside of these settings, leading to the unfortunate misperception that women have little presence or significance in the performance and preservation of Native musical traditions. The numerous, diverse, and powerful American Indian women's voices on Smithsonian Folkways prove otherwise."
Willa Cather Papers Project (supported by the National Endowment of the Humanities)
"The Willa Cather Archive is an ambitious endeavor to create a rich, useful, and widely accessible site for the study of Willa Cather's life and writings.... First editions of Death Comes for the Archbishop and My Mortal Enemy are now available on the Willa Cather Archive. "
Created by the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program, four unique sets of banners are available in groups of ten. Each set includes nine important women in New Mexico history and one introductory banner. To read about the women featured in each set please view the booking pages.
Biographies of New Mexico Women - UNM
"On these pages, we explore the lives of some of the women who shaped New Mexico in large and small ways. We've included some female "firsts", some notable women who used their educations to contribute to life in New Mexico; we also use library collections, Census data, UNM publications, and New Mexico newspapers to introduce New Mexican women who earned degrees or taught at the University of New Mexico."
New Mexico House of Representatives, District 44 and lives in Corrales, New Mexico. She served from 2003 to December 31, 2022. She sponsored bills to aid veterans including: Military Retirement Income Tax Exemption (NM HB 76, 2022), Tax Proof of Disabled Veteran Status (NM HB 195, 2022).
"Georgia Lee Lusk was the first woman elected to the United States Congress from New Mexico. Representative Lusk entered the 80th Congress (1947–1949) determined to improve the education system, but as the mother of three World War II servicemen, one of whom was killed in action, she also fought for increased benefits for returning war veterans and supported the foreign policy of the Harry S. Truman administration.... In the general election, she garnered more statewide votes than the well-seasoned incumbent candidate, Congressman Antonio M. Fernández, the other At-Large winner."
Debra H
aaland - making history
"HAALAND, Debra, a Representative from New Mexico; born in Winslow, Navajo County, Ariz., December 2, 1960; an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo; graduated from Highland High School, Albuquerque, N. Mex., 1978; B.A., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.Mex., 1994; attended University of California, Los Angeles, Calif., 2000; J.D., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N. Mex., 2006; business executive; Delegate, Democratic National Convention, 2008; tribal administrator, San Felipe Pueblo, 2013-2015; chair, New Mexico Democratic Party, 2015-2017; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Sixteenth and to the succeeding Congress until her resignation on March 16, 2021 (January 3, 2019-March 16, 2021); Secretary of the Interior in the Cabinet of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021-2025."
"Soledad Chávez Chacón, the first Hispana to be elected to a state office, namely, the office of secretary of state; the first woman to preside as NM governor (as acting governor); and the first Hispana NM state legislator from Bernalillo County."
Chacón was elected Secretary of State in 1922, reelected in 1924 where she was lauded for her work and the smooth running of the office. In June of 1924 Governor Hinkle was out of the state and without a Lieutenant due to the death of Jose Baca that spring. From June 21st to July 15th, Chacón was the acting governor of New Mexico.
In 1934 she was the first Hispanic women elected to the state House.
Read more: Soledad Chávez Chacón: A New Mexico Political Pioneer, 1890-1936
Clara H. OlsenClara Olsen was the personal secretary to nine New Mexico governors starting with Miguel Otero and ending with Governor O.A. Larrazola in 1920. An article in a 1920 edition of Sunset states "It is believed that the example set by Miss Olsen did much to bring about the success of suffrage in New Mexico."
Secretary to Governor has Resigned Post. Albuquerque morning journal. , 27 Feb. 1920. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84031081/1920-02-27/ed-1/seq-3/>
Clara Olsen Para Gobernadora Seria La Mejor Apuesta Para el Partido Republicano. El Nuevo mexicano. (Santa Fe, N.M.), 13 July 1922. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn94056869/1922-07-13/ed-1/seq-1/>
Adelina “Nina” Otero-Warren
"Nina Otero-Warren was a pioneering suffragist, political figure, and educator in early twentieth-century New Mexico. Descended from a family with Hispano roots which go back to original colonizing expeditions by Spain of Nuevo Mexico, she was born near Los Lunas in 1881."
"Salt of the Earth is an American film shot in the Silver City, New Mexico area in 1953 and released in 1954. Its plot centers on a long and difficult strike, based on the 1951 strike against the Empire Zinc Company in Grant County, New Mexico. In the film, the company is identified as "Delaware Zinc", and the setting is "Zinctown, New Mexico". The film shows how the miners, the company, and the police react during the strike. In neorealist style, the producers and director used actual miners and their families as actors in the film. The film is considered one of the first pictures to include a feminist social and political point of view."
The Government Printing Office (now the Government Publishing Office) was founded in 1861, but wide distribution of government publications came much later.
The Printing Act of 1895 was an important piece of legislation which led to the cataloging of government publications and the wider distribution of those documents to the public.
“The machinery of distribution to 420 depository libraries designated by Congress was perfected, and the enormous task of cataloging all Government publications from 1789 was begun. The next year the Division received almost 487,000 publications, and depository libraries had increased to 1,321.” (Keeping America Informed, p.23)
One of the requirements of the bill was the publication Catalogue of publications issued by the Government of the United States during the month of .... Libraries could order publications from these catalogues. Classification numbers were included.
The Catalog of U.S. Government Publications evolved into an online catalog which is free for anyone to search. Many titles have a permanent link (PURL) to insure access to electronic publications. You can find the most recent print, ebooks, and electronic titles here.
Depository libraries continue to collect new publications and preserve historic documents. Find a depository near you!
Publications from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been popular for many years. When the first Catalog of Government Publications was released the Agricultural Yearbook was a top selling title. Not only did it have practical advice for farmers and gardeners, it also had beautiful images like these carnations from the 1897 edition.
Official Register of the United States can answer questions like “Who were the postmasters in New Mexico in 1871?” This is a great source of information on civilian, government employees and indicate where someone was born, where they worked and how much they were paid. The image above is showing tax collector in New Mexico in 1895. Volume two of this title was dedicated to postal workers.
Libraries could also order maps, like this postal rout map of New Mexico and Arizona. This was a more expensive item, costing $1.60 (unmounted). In comparison, the Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs – Reports of Agents in New Mexico only cost 10 cents.
The catalog had detailed descriptions to help buyer decided on what they needed, for example there was a bill for New Mexico Mounted Volunteers, Act for relief of p. 1036 Statutes at Large of the United States. This was one bill in the Statutes at Large. The bill stated:
"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the officers and enlisted men of the company of New Mexico Mounted Volunteers which served under Captain Ceran Saint Vrain, and was present at the battles of La Canada, January twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and forty-seven, El Embudo, January twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and forty-seven, and Taos, February fourth, eighteen hundred and forty-seven, in the Territory of New Mexico, shall be placed on the same footing in regard to pay and allowances, as volunteers regularly mustered into the United States service."
Readers could also find out Why Coranado went to New Mexico in 1540.
There was also a House Report on the Admission of New Mexico into Union. See the link below for the full report.
Are you feeling creative? Looking for inspiration or just want to see some of the interesting inventions of the past? This Federal Friday is for you! Want to submit your own patent? The Patent & Trademark Resource Center at NDSU can help.
"If you’re new to the process of protecting your rights to your invention by applying for a patent, you’re in the right place. This page will direct you to everything you need to know about U.S. and international patents. If what you see doesn’t answer your questions, we’ll show you where to go to dig deeper."
Inventor Collectible Trading Cards
“The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) launched the Inventor Collectible Trading Card Series in 2012 at the USA Science and Engineering Festival. The cards feature caricatures of various inventors and are designed to recognize patent holders from diverse backgrounds and demographics to encourage and inspire future generations of diverse inventors and innovators.”
“James West and co-inventor Gerhard Sessler developed the Electroacoustic Transducer, more commonly known as the Electret Microphone, U.S. Patent No. 3118022. Ninety percent of all microphones produced annually and used in everyday items such as telephones, hearing aids, camcorders, and multimedia computers employ West and Sessler's technology. West holds over 200 U.S. and foreign patents.”
“Ellen Ochoa, a veteran of three NASA Space Shuttle flight missions and the first Hispanic-American woman in space, is a co-inventor on three patents for an optical inspection system, an optical object recognition method, and a method for noise removal in images. Her inventions significantly increased the ability to capture and analyze finely-detailed imagery, including applications in space and on the Earth.”
Alfred Yi Cho
“Alfred Cho is known as the father of "molecular beam epitaxy," a technique that he invented. His work significantly affected the semiconductor industry and led to many new devices including high-speed transistors, microwave devices, and remote sensing detectors.”
Hedy Lamarr
"Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-American actress and inventor who pioneered the technology that would one day form the basis for today’s WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth communication systems."
"T. David Petite is one of the early inventors of the wireless ad hoc network or Wireless Mesh Technology that enables all mobile phones to work today. He is a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tribe and founder of the Native American Intellectual Property Enterprise Council, a non-profit organization helping Native American inventors and communities around the country. Petite has over 50 U.S. patents."
Found on Baker’s list (USPTO)
“In 1894, U.S. Representative George Washington Murray read a list of African American patent holders into the Congressional Record. Murray himself was on the list, which was compiled by patent examiner and civil rights activist Henry Baker. Their lives, connected by the list, tell a story of public service, activism through invention, and how innovative minds can build a better and more just world.”
A district of determination (USPTO)
"Inventors James Wormley, Miriam Benjamin, and Robert Pelham had a great deal in common. They were all determined individuals who saw a problem and, using their ingenuity and skills, sought a solution. For a time, they were all part of an emerging middle class of African American entrepreneurs, professionals, and civil servants living in the nation’s capital. And they all appeared on Henry Baker’s list of Black patent holders, a list that helped fuel a growing civil rights movement."
The National Archives of the United States Coloring Book of Patents 2016
“We’ve chosen some of our favorite patents from our holdings for you to color….These patents came from the Records of the Patent and Trademark Office (Record Group 241). And you can find even more of our fascinating patents online by searching our digital catalog https://catalog.archives.gov/.”
Read More:
The Story of the American Patent System, 1790-1952
Black Inventors and Entrepreneurs – Past, Present, and Future (Department of Commerce)
“Every February, we celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans. Black History Month reminds us that the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are critical to the success of the Department of Commerce’s mission. It is also an opportunity to spotlight some of the many inspiring stories and successes of Black inventors and Black-owned businesses.”
Hispanic inventors and entrepreneurs
"These stories of Hispanic inventors and entrepreneurs and the challenges they overcame —including immigration, starting (and restarting) from scratch, learning English, and facing loss and even natural disasters— are part of our monthly Journeys of Innovation series about innovators who have made a positive difference in the world. We hope they will inspire you to bring your ideas to fruition."
Women Inventors and Patent Holders (Library of Congress)
Each year I search Government Website to find some love. Each year there is more!
Don't wait till the last minute! Government agencies spread love and the puns and important messages. From out-of-this-world NASA e-cards to emergency preparedness these cards have something say. These cards are all free to print.
Happy Valentine's Day from the U.S. Web Design Standards team
Did you know there are people dedicated to making your use of government websites consistent and easy?
"The U.S. Web Design Standards are the U.S. government’s very own set of common UI components and visual styles for websites. It’s a resource designed to make things easier for government designers and developers, while raising the bar on what the American people can expect from their digital experiences."
Keep your loved ones safe by reminding them to be prepared for an emergency.
4 postales de San Valentín sobre la preparación para darles a tus seres queridos este año
"Emergency preparedness may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Valentine's Day, but it could be the most important gift you give your loved ones this year. Disasters can happen at any time, and having a starter emergency kit for the home or the road could make all the difference in an emergency."
“It’s almost Valentine’s Day. Maybe you’ve already sent a card to your grandmother, grandfather, or the older adult in your life. But if you haven’t told them lately that you love them, pick up the phone and call, too. While you’re catching up, remind them that you’ll never pressure them to wire you money or buy you gift cards — but a scammer might.” Consumer FTC
Does looking for Valentine's cards leave you feeling under the weather? Not to worry, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a PDF of cards you can download and cut out. Print these NOAA SciJinks Valentine's Day cards and give them to family and friends!
Links on this kid's site take you to more information on earth and space weather.
The Department of Energy recommends these Valentines and Anti-Valentines inspired by Physics.
Get more science-themed puns here!
Was NASA the first government agency to make their own Valentine's? They have been releasing new material for years and have a great selection including cards for kids and beautiful space images. Let the special people in your life know you think the world revolves around them with these fun cards.
NASA Space Place Valentine's
Valentine's Day Cards for the Wild at Heart 
This collection now contains 45 different cards featuring wildlife from around the nation. Share that loving feeling with frogs, doves, swans, and small mouth bass. Have fun with these uncommon cards.
This holiday is a time to express affection for another person with cards, candy, flowers and other symbols of love. To celebrate this holiday the U.S. Census Bureau shares facts and figures associated with this romantic time of year. Teachers can view the teaching guide for ideas on how to incorporate Valentine's Day Fun Facts in the classroom.
February is Black History Month! Below you will find information on some New Mexicans and resources for your own research.
Did you know:
"The New Mexico Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) was enacted by the 44th New Mexico State Legislature in 1999 under House Bill 909 and an executive advisory committee was established by Executive Order under the administration of Governor Gary Johnson. Although the official operation of OAAA started with State Legislation, the hearts of OAAA lies with the many New Mexico residents statewide who felt that there was a need to address issues specific to the African American community."
See this great online exhibit on Dr. Carter Woodson
Forming the Buffalo Soldier Regiments -Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
"On June 28, 1866, the U.S. Congress passed a law that created the Buffalo Soldier regiments. Officially known as “An Act to Increase and Fix the Military Peace Establishment of the United States,” it called for an increase of infantry and cavalry regiments. The act specifically established four segregated African American infantry regiments and two cavalry regiments. The regiments created were the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry, Thirty-eighth Infantry, Thirty-ninth Infantry, Fortieth Infantry, and Forty-first Infantry. The regiments were tasked with maintaining peace in the South during Reconstruction (1865-1877), building roads and telegraph lines, escorting U.S. Mail carriers, and protecting homesteaders as well as American Indians on their lands."- National Park Service
"Members of the Buffalo Soldiers Society of New Mexico share insights into the history of the Buffalo soldiers and how they contributed to New Mexico achieving statehood in 1912. They tell us of the challenges these soldier's faced, their hard work, and particularly of their bravery during the battle with Apache Chief Victorio at the isolated Massacre Canyon in the Black Range Mountains of southern New Mexico."
Read more: African Americans in the Army, U.S. Army Center of Military History
Read more: 94 African American Medal of Honor Recipients, Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Available at the NM State Library:
New Mexico's buffalo soldiers, 1866-1900
"Those air crew and ground crew personnel associated with black flying units of the Army Air Forces (AAF) during World War II are known as the Tuskegee Airmen. On 16 January 1941, Secretary of the Army Henry L. Stimson authorized the formation of a black pursuit squadron. The 99th Pursuit (later Fighter) Squadron was activated in March 1941 and began training in separate facilities at Tuskegee, Alabama, on 15 November. " - Air Force Historical Support Division
Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Site
"Interview with Tuskegee Airmen 1st Lt. James Clayton Flowers of Las Cruces, NM Interview is conducted by the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs in Albuquerque, NM."
Read More: Tuskegee Airmen chronology
United States Army aeromedical support to African American fliers, 1941-1949 : the Tuskegee flight surgeons
You can find patent records for homesteaders like the one to the right for Bazz Smaulding! The Official Federal Land Records Site provides “live access to Federal land conveyance records for the Public Land States, including image access to more than five million Federal land title records issued between 1788 and the present. We also have images of survey plats and field notes, land status records, and control document index records. Due to organization of documents in the GLO collection, this site does not currently contain every Federal title record issued for the Public Land States.”
"Blackdom was located fifteen miles south of Roswell. The town was incorporated in 1903 by thirteen African Americans. This group formed the Blackdom Townsite Company with $10,000 in combined assets. The group named Frank Boyer as their president."- Blackdom, National Park Service
"Francis (Frank) Marion Boyer was a community leader in Blackdom, New Mexico. Boyer and his family moved to New Mexico Territory in 1896 to escape the instability of Southern life. Boyer, a former Buffalo Soldier, arrived in the Pecos River Valley near the community of Roswell in 1898, where he worked in the courts. In partnership with thirteen original homesteaders, Boyer established and became president of the land speculation venture, the Blackdom Townsite Company."-Homesteading in New Mexico, National Park Service
1920 Blackdom Townsite Plat, from Chaves County Clerk’s Office, Roswell, copy at CSWR, UNM Library
Read more:
Available at the State Library: Blackdom, New Mexico : the significance of the Afro-Frontier, 1900-1930 by Timothy E. Nelson.
Bud Fowler (active: 1878-1908) – In May 1878, when he was brought in to pitch for the Lynn Live Oaks minor league team 
along with his white teammate, George Wood, playing right field, Fowler “became the first African American to integrate a team in minor league history and thus the game’s first African American pro.”
He was inducted into Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame.
Read more: Bud Fowler
Bazz Owen Smaulding
Know for his athletic abilities, while attending Albuquerque High School he played football, baseball, basketball and track. After attending college and earning a degree in business, he became a pitcher in the negro league in 1927 (African Americans were not allowed to play in the major and minor leagues). He played for a number of different teams. The gymnasium at the Dennis Chavez Community Center in Albuquerque was named the Smaulding Center in his honor. Article: The Bismarck tribune, July 10, 1930
His brot
her, Al, was a successful, middleweight boxer.
Their parents had a homestead south of Clayton, New Mexico, before moving to Albuquerque.
Learn more: Bazz Owen Smaulding Papers, Owen Smaulding, personal athletic scrapbook, includes some Negro League material, Satchel Paige., 1916-1921 New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
The Library of Congress' Chronicling America is a free newspaper database where you can find more sports stories.
Jay Moses Griffin
Griffin was law school graduate, newspaper man, and politician known for his oratory skills. He served as the Journal Clerk, 34th Legislative Assembly of the New Mexico Territory (1901). He was the editor of the Twin City American, and the Albuquerque American. “Jay Moses Griffin should be remembered as a dynamic young leader and intellectual, an eloquent orator who had the ability to galvanize people into action and an unsung New Mexico trailblazer who was ahead of his time.”- Kyran Worrell, AAMCCNM Board Member
Image from The Afro-American advance (Minneapolis, Minn. ; St. Paul, Minn.), March 3, 1900. Find more articles in the free database Chronicling America.
"Clara Belle Drisdale Williams became the first African American to graduate from New Mexico State University in 1937. After a career of teaching others, she was honored with an honorary law degree from NMSU in 1980, along with an apology for how she was treated as a student. (Three of her grandsons became physicians.)" Read more: New Mexico History Museum
Lenton Malry was the first African American state representative in New Mexico. In 1978 he was an author of HB 25, the bill that created the State Depository program to provide access to state government publications. Other important legislation includes:
HB 360 mandating kindergarten for all five-year-olds
HB 459, Neglected Child Defined
HB 460, Child Abuse Reporting Duty
Available at the NM State Library:
Let's roll this train : my life in New Mexico education, business, and politics
Esteban : the African slave who explored America
History of hope : the African American experience in New Mexico.
Black frontiers : a history of African American heroes in the Old West
Black History Month : the African-American legacy : then, now, and into the year 2000.
NAACP Santa Fe Celebrates MLK Jr. Day at the State Capitol
Santa Fe, NM- Santa Fe County encourages residents to join NAACP Santa Fe and the New Mexico MLK Jr. State Commission in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at their annual MLK Day celebration. The event will occur on Monday, January 20, 2025, from 12 pm to 1 pm at the New Mexico State Capitol Rotunda (490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501).
Albuquerque: MLK DREAM Weekend
Carlsbad: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Clovis: 34th Annual King Holiday Weekend
Farmington: The Four Corners MLK Jr. Day of Service
Grants: 19th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Hobbs: MLK Day of Service
Las Cruces: MLK 2025 Weekend
Rio Rancho: Mission Possible
Jane E. Powdrell-Culbert