The Assassination Archives and Research Center was founded in 1984 to provide a permanent organization which would acquire, preserve, and disseminate information on political assassinations. With the passage of the 1992 JFK Assassination Records Collection Act and successful suits under the Freedom of Information Act, the AARC has come into the possession of hundreds of thousands of pages of long-awaited government records. The AARC is devoted to reaching the widest possible audience with this new information.

For more information about the AARC, click the about the AARC tab near the top of this page.

FEATURES OF THIS SITE

Public LibraryPublic Library. The AARC electronic library provides access to over 50,000 pages of reports, transcripts, and documents relating to political assassinations, many released in recent years under the JFK Records Act.

News & ViewsNews & Views. News on AARC projects, updates on FOIA lawsuits, essays, and new developments in the JFK, MLK, and RFK assassination controversies.

CatalogCatalog. The AARC CD-ROM Catalog has several titles available for purchase. Each CD-ROM contains thousands of pages of documents, transcripts, and reports. Speed your research with instant access and full-text search.

Membership. Become a member of the AARC today. Benefits include discounts on CD-ROM titles.

JOINT VENTURE WITH MARY FERRELL FOUNDATION

Mary Ferrell FoundationThe AARC has partnered with the Mary Ferrell Foundation, supplying nearly a million pages of AARC records for browsing and searching via the MFF website. These records include massive CIA and FBI documents received as settlement for a lawsuit brought by Mark Allen, as well as other document collections on the John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy assassinations.

CREATED BY HISTORY MATTERS

This website and the AARC CD-ROM products are developed by History Matters. History Matters also runs an online store which stocks the AARC CD-ROM titles. Visit our website:
www.history-matters.com

The Assassination Archives and Research Center is the largest private archives in the world which is dedicated to acquiring, preserving, and disseminating information on political assassinations.

 


  Letter to US Archivist Requests Prompt Release of CIA's JFK Records

Jan 22, 2012 - The AARC, in a letter dated January 20, 2012, requested that the National Archives and the CIA release some 50,000 pages relating to the JFK assassination that remain withheld in full from the public, as well as an undisclosed number of partially deleted records. The letter maintains that release of such records well before the 50th anniversary of the assassination on November 22, 2013, is essential to having a full and robust national discussion of this event and its significance. The working group that produced the AARC's letter consisted of three AARC Board Members and two leading attorneys who have a profound interest in the subject. The letter was also signed by Professor G. Robert Blakey, the former Chief Counsel of the House Select Committee on Assassinations.

In short, the AARC has advised NARA and the CIA that fifty years of secrecy is enough.

The working group is currently discussing how best to develop a plan of action to get NARA and CIA to expedite disclosure of the withheld records. Stay tuned.

An accompanying press release describes the letter.

Transcript of CBS Interview with Sgt. Hill

Oct 18, 2008 - Courtesy of Roger Feinman is this transcript of a CBS interview with Dallas' Sergeant Hill regarding Oswald's arrest, the search of the Book Depository, and the Tippit murder scene. See part 1 and part 2.

Times Article About FOIA Lawsuit Over FBI Scarpa Files

Jul 24, 2008 - A New York Times article discusses the FOIA lawsuit of Angela Clemente, client of AARC President James Lesar, over FBI records on "hit man" and "'top echelon' informant" Gregory Scarpa Sr. The files relate to his possible spying on New Orleans crime boss Carlos Marcello.

Letter to Henry Waxman about JFK Records Act Oversight

Jun 19, 2008 - AARC President Jim Lesar sent this letter to Henry Waxman, head of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 6. The letter requests hearings be held to review compliance with the 1992 JFK Records Collection Act.

Appeals CourtRules in Favor of Morley on Joannides Records

Dec 7, 2007 - The U.S. Court of Appeals reversed Judge Richard Leon's decision to deny release of records related to George Joannides' service in 1963, and ordered the CIA to search its operational files for Joannides material and explain the absence of monthly reports on the DRE during his tenure.
 

Electronic Document Partners

The AARC's effort to disseminate its voluminous paper records in electronic form is aided by these partners:

Mary Ferrell FoundationMary Ferrell Foundation

The AARC is by far the largest contributor to the MFF's unparalleled electronic archive of documents on political assassinations.

History MattersHistory Matters

History Matters is the creator of this website and the CD-ROMs available in the AARC catalog.