NCM Remembers the Souls Lost of Dec. 7, 1941
December 7, 1941, "a day that will live in infamy." And so it has. But the often misunderstood story surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor is whether U.S. cryptologists or senior elected and military leaders knew about the attack before it happened. The question is asked because cryptologists had broken the Japanese PURPLE diplomatic code in September 1940 using the Purple Analogue. On the evening of December 6 and early morning h...ours of December 7, 1941, American cryptologists intercepted and decrypted a 14-part message sent from Tokyo to the Japanese embassy in Washington, D.C. It was be delivered to the U.S. Secretary of State before 1 p.m. U.S. eastern time. The 14th part of that message said that the Japanese would break diplomatic relations with the U.S.at 1 p.m. on December 7. The message, however, said nothing about an attack. The Japanese diplomats were inexperienced with Purple code and had trouble deciphering the message. Thus, they were unable to deliver the message until after 2 p.m., well after the attack commenced. Here's where the misunderstanding lies: the messaging about Japanese naval tactical planning would have been contained in the Japanese Naval Code JN25-B, a code that would not be cracked until Cmdr. Joe Rochefort did so shortly before the Battle of Midway in June 1942.
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End of National Native American Heritage Month
Yes, November 30 marks the end of National Native American Heritage Month. The museum especially recognizes the Native American Code Talkers who served our nation in a special way - providing the only quick secure voice communications starting with Cherokee and Choctaw Soldiers in World War I and further serving throughout World War II. They served in all six Marine Divisions in the Pacific and throughout the war in Europe. Native Americans from at least 33 American Indian Nations or tribes served as Code Talkers. NSA inducted all code talkers into the Hall of Honor in 2013 and presented a plaque to the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian the same year. Here are some photos from our collection.
The National Cryptologic Museum will close at 1:00 on Wednesday, November 22 and remain closed through Thanksgiving. We will reopen on Friday, November 24 for our normal hours 9:00-4:00.
NSA - National Cryptologic Museum shared their album.
Check out our photos from STEM Night at the Museum on November 9, 2017.
STEM Night at the Museum on November 9, 2017. Fun, hands-on, educational activities for kids ages 10 and up.
NSA - National Cryptologic Museum added 33 new photos from November 9 to the album: STEM Night 2017.
STEM Night at the Museum on November 9, 2017. Fun, hands-on, educational activities for kids ages 10 and up.
Shashonia Castro (r), granddaughter of late Navajo Code Talker Samuel Billison, visited the museum with her son recently to see the museum and the Native American Code Talker exhibit. She said she was proud to see the exhibit, especially the Navajo Code Talker G.I. Joe doll (top right on display case), which she said uses the voice of her grandfather. Staff and docents use the "talking" doll to allow visitors to hear Navajo code talking with the English translation.
NSA - National Cryptologic Museum added an event.
It's never too early to mark your calendars to celebrate our nation's Armed Forces and Police. Displays, games, food, and more for all ages.
National Cryptologic Museum Closed Friday, November 10, in Observance of Veterans Day
Veterans Day began as “Armistice Day” on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. After the Korean War, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day. Thank you to all who have worn our nation's uniform.
NSA - National Cryptologic Museum shared their post.
If you're not doing anything tomorrow night, bring your kids to the National Cryptologic Museum for STEM Fest. Lots of fun and learning.
Curator Talks to Maryland Public Television about NCM & History of Cryptology
Our curator, Patrick Weadon, recently talked to Maryland Public Television (MPT) for their online page, "The Dig." Patrick talked about the museum and its role in educating people about the history of cryptology. Take a look! http://www.mpt.org/digitalstudios/thedig/cryptology/
Ceremonial Groundbreaking for America's World War I Memorial
The National Cryptologic Museum (NCM) tells the story of cryptology as it happened since before the founding of our nation. Part of this story is World War I. The NCM is happy to spread the word about the World World I Centennial Commission's groundbreaking ceremony for America's World War I Memorial.
On Thursday, November 9, at 11 a.m. (Eastern), the @WW1CC will host a small ceremonial groundbreaking event at DC's ...Pershing Park, to thank partners and supporters.
The event will feature distinguished leaders, well-known guest speakers, and music from the U.S. Army's Pershing's Own brass quintet. The shovels will turn earth that came to us from the World War I battlefields of France.
The event will be streamed via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/ww1centennial <https://www.facebook.com/ww1centennial>
Five Cryptologic Pioneers Inducted into NSA/CSS Hall of Honor
Five cryptologic pioneers were inducted into the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Hall of Honor yesterday at the National Security Agency. Adm. Michael S. Rogers, U.S. Navy, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service, presided over the ceremony. See who these cryptologic greats are: https://www.nsa.gov/…/20…/2017-hall-of-honor-inductees.shtml.
Mark Your Calendar...
...for our third annual STEM Festival on November 9 from 6 - 8 p.m. Lots of hands-on activities for ages 10 and up. Stay tuned for more information!
Navajo Code Talker Passes Away
The National Cryptologic Museum is saddened to learn that David Patterson Sr., a Navajo Code Talker from World War II, passed away Sunday, October 8. The Associated Press reported that he died n Rio Rancho, N.M., at age 94 from pneumonia and complications from subdural hematoma. See here for the story: http://www.denverpost.com/…/navajo-code-talker-david-patte…/
Arnold Wasn't the Only Traitor
On October 5, 1775, Gen. George Washington wrote to the Continental Congress about the discovery of an enciphered letter from Chief Physician Dr. Benjamin Church to British Lt. Gen. Thomas Gage through British Maj. Crane. The letter was discovered in the hands of Dr. Church's mistress, who at first would not tell of its origin. She finally confessed it was from Church. Church was active in the Sons of Liberty and served as a member of the Provis...ional Congress of Massachusetts. There was no reason to question his loyalty to the colonies. The mono-alphabetic cipher in the letter contained information about military plans of the Continental Army. Church claimed the numbers of troops, etc., were exaggerated to deceive the enemy. His explanation was not accepted, however, and he was found guilty of treason and put into prison. He became ill while in jail and was eventually allowed to board a ship to the West Indies. The ship is known to have sunk and he was never heard from again. You can learn more about Church and his cipher at the National Cryptologic Museum.
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