Examining Classified vs. Declassified Documents with Mark Albertson

The ongoing dilemma of classified vs. declassified documents between the National Archives and Records Administration, Justice Department, and former occupant of the Oval Office, Donald J. Trump, has raised the issues of secrecy and classification of documents. 

But the preservation of such data, to which the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the keeper of such history contained in such documents, in the end, belongs to us, not to any individuals in particular. 

What are the classifications of secrecy?  And just what constitutes secrecy? What is the National Archives and Records Administration and what is its function?  As this organization is a preserver of our history, why is this so terribly important? These are among the topics that will be open for discussion with historian, Mark Albertson.

About the Presenter:

Mark Albertson is the historical research editor at Army Aviation magazine in Monroe, Connecticut; and, is the historian for the Army Aviation Association of America. He has authored several books: USS Connecticut: Constitution State Battleship; They’ll Have to Follow You! The Triumph of the Great White Fleet, and On History: A Treatise. He is at work on a two-volume effort on the history of Army Aviation, Sky Soldiers: The Saga of Army Aviation, to which volume I is written. He has also published articles in a variety of newspapers and magazines. Mark teaches history as an adjunct at Norwalk Community College in Norwalk, Connecticut.  In May 2005, Mark was presented with a General Assembly Citation by both houses of the state legislature in Hartford for his effort in commemorating the centennial of battleship Connecticut.