the National Archives and Records Administration
/ðə ˌnæʃnəl ˌɑːkaɪvz ən ˈrekɔːdz ədmɪnɪstreɪʃn/
/ðə ˌnæʃnəl ˌɑːrkaɪvz ən ˈrekərdz ədmɪnɪstreɪʃn/
(abbreviation NARA)
- the US government agency that is responsible for the country's official collection of historical records, documents, papers, films, maps, etc. They include the original Declaration of Independence, the American Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The National Archives Building is in Washington, DC, on Constitution Avenue.