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 […]
That Time the President Gave the Pope a Strange Christmas Present
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 […]
Fun Facts About the First Ladies — Part 2
The role of first lady is ambiguous. It is not an elected position, and the Constitution is silent on the issue. By custom, the first lady is the official hostess of White […]
Some Cheesy Facts About Cheese
Who doesn’t like cheese? With all of the different kinds of the tasty food item and the infinite variety of uses in cuisine, cheese is an indispensable staple in the kitchens of […]
What Can You Expect With a Name Like Millard Fillmore?
Some people seem destined for greatness on the basis of their names, alone. Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, for example, may have achieved success as secretary of the interior and associate justice of […]
Who Is Next In Line? Understanding the Order of Presidential Succession
When Secretary of State Alexander Haig attempted to calm the nation’s fears after the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, it was one of those moments that made history. Unfortunately, it was […]
A Schoolboy Crush, a Teacher’s Kiss, and a Quest for Greatness
They certainly weren’t the first boys in history to develop a crush on their teacher. Who could blame them for their innocent preoccupation over Miss Brown? Matilda “Tillie” Brown was young, pretty, […]
Taking Comfort by Looking in the Face of Imperfection
In her four years as First Lady of the United States, Barbara Bush had plenty of opportunities to contemplate the White House and its priceless artifacts. While some might gravitate toward the […]
Abraham Lincoln: Animal Lover-in-Chief
Entire libraries could be filled with books about President Abraham Lincoln. Historians have rightfully praised his vision, intellect, humor, courage, and determination. Any study into the life of this extraordinary man would […]
The Man Who Was President for One Day and the Day When There Were Two Presidents
If you had to list the names of the men who have served as President of the United States, you will almost certainly write the names Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. If […]
The Time Air Force One Took Off But Never Landed
A common blessing among pilots is “May your skies be clear, your aim share, and your landings equal in number to your take-offs.” Indeed, there would generally be concern about any flight […]
Fun Facts About the First Ladies — Part 1
One of the most powerful positions in the world is unelected, unpaid, and technically has no official authority. The wife of the President of the United States — the first lady — […]
White House Blows Up Death Star Initiative
When the White House launched a website to encourage citizen participation in government, it is doubtful that many thought to protect against undue influence by the dark side of The Force. Nevertheless, […]
That Day Elvis Showed Up at the White House
Not just anyone can walk up to the gates of the White House, ask to see the President and be taken seriously. Of course, the man who did that on December 21, […]
The Curious Case of the Disastrous Date With the First Daughter
First dates are always awkward. “Will I make a good impression?” “Will I like him/her?” “How do I escape gracefully if the magic isn’t there?” These are questions everyone asks, no matter […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 