“Folks are usually about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Lincoln: Decide to Be Happy
JFK Checked to Make Sure Santa Was Safe From Russian Nuke Tests
With all the responsibilities that fall upon the President of the United States, it’s nice to know he has time to check in on the welfare of Santa Claus.
Reagan Reflects on Reason for Christmas
“Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeer, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a […]
Which Presidents Took the Oath of Office the Most Times?
Presidential trivia aficionados are quick to identify the president who was in office the least amount of time (William Henry Harrison) and the one who served the longest (Franklin D. Roosevelt). There […]
Photographers Used to Tell Subjects to Say ‘Prunes’ Instead of ‘Cheese’
Compare photographs from the late 19th century with those of today. Aside from the obvious differences, such as color and changes in fashion, there is one big difference that stands out: no […]
You May Be a Member of the Militia Without Knowing It
Do you like to watch war movies? Do you dream of performing heroic deeds? Do you wonder how snappy you would look in a military uniform? Can you see yourself in the […]
Beware the Dangers of Eating Yourself to Death
For those of you who did not exercise a great deal of self control during your Thanksgiving meal and whose mouths may already be watering at the thought of the leftovers in […]
That Time the United States Had an Emperor
Suppose fortune fails to smile upon you. Despite your best efforts at gaining wealth, you are bankrupt and have no professional skills to speak of. You could give up and embrace a […]
How Freak Shows Revolutionized Medical Care for Babies
Once upon a time, there was a place called Wonderland. No, this is not a story about the mythical place created by Lewis Carrol. The Wonderland of this story was real. It […]
Calvin Coolidge Makes Short Work of Long Sermon
Preachers and politicians often share the quality of loquaciousness. That doesn’t mean they necessarily appreciate or tolerate that quality in each other.
The Hideous Political Giant With a Reputation as a Monkey
The United States Senate was designed to be the upper house of Congress. Its rules of procedure are intended to allow for the smooth conduct of business and to preserve civility and […]
That Time the President Gave the Pope a Strange Christmas Present
It is hard enough coming up with just the right Christmas gift when you have a year to plan for it. What do you do when you need to choose an appropriate […]
You Will Be Surprised At the Words Invented By Presidents
In a slight departure from normalcy, the premise of this article may sound a little iffy, but we certainly don’t want to encourage a bunch of muckrakers or squatters by sugarcoating or […]
The First Siamese Cat in the USA Lived in the White House
The first Siamese cat in the United States was named Siam and came from — drumroll, please — Siam. OK, that’s not all that fascinating. It isn’t where the cat originated that […]
Do Not Envy Easy Lives
Theodore Roosevelt was born on this day in 1858. In honor of the 26th President of the United States, we remember his words, “I have never in my life envied a human […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 