%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
A Brief(ing) History of the White House Press Secretary
The job is newer than you might think.
POLITICS
When Did U.S. Presidents Start Using Speechwriters?
Warren G. Harding was the first president with an official speechwriter, but even George Washington’s famous farewell address was prepared with the assistance of James Madison—five years before he delivered it.
The Top-Secret Inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes
The March 5, 1877 inauguration of Hayes was merely for show. Though the public didn't know it, he was already their president.
35 Fascinating Facts About Presidential Inaugurations Past
From drunk vice presidents to poisoned pigeons, anything can happen on Inauguration Day—and often does.
Watch 114-Year-Old Footage of Teddy Roosevelt's Presidential Inauguration
Thousands of onlookers lined the streets, watching as Roosevelt and a contingent of Rough Riders made their way to the U.S. Capitol.
9 Facts You Should Know About Maggie Hassan
Advocating for a son with cerebral palsy helped propel her into government work.
A Brief History of Presidential Libraries
The modern presidential library is more than a roadside attraction.
9 Things You Might Not Know About Catherine Cortez Masto
As a tourism official, her father green-lighted the Las Vegas slogan “What happens here stays here.”
How Many Electoral Votes Did George Washington Have?
Our first president can also claim the only unanimous electoral college wins in history.
The First (And Last) Serious Challenge to the Electoral College System
No election cycle would be complete without a debate over whether or not the Electoral College should be abolished.
The International Territory in the Middle of New York City
There is a way to leave the United States without stepping out of Manhattan.
When Richard Nixon Wanted to be a Rapper
Yes, that Richard Nixon.
Post-Truth Named Word of the Year By Oxford Dictionaries
It beat out "adulting" and "coulrophobia" (fear of clowns) for the distinction.
Nebraska Senator Moonlights as an Uber Driver
Cash-strapped millennials aren’t the only ones who understand the value of a side hustle.
Can the Electoral College Reverse the Results of an Election?
Every four years, people talk about the oddness of the Electoral College, often leading to questions of whether it can change or reverse the results of an election.
Want to Marry a Canadian? There's an App for That
Introducing Maple Match, the dating app that will pair you with a paramour from the land of snowshoes and syrup.
7 Fictional Characters Who Ran for Office
In 1974, Mr. Peanut entered the Vancouver mayoral race and walked away with nearly 3000 votes.
Why Do Politicians Kiss Babies?
“The parent who always expects the baby to be kissed, and the person who feels bound to kiss every baby that comes within reach are equally foolish and obnoxious characters."
11 Filibusterous Facts About Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
The Boy Scouts of America wanted no part of the film. Neither did American politicians.
Over 300 Companies Will Close for Election Day to Get Out the Vote
More than 330 companies have pledged to give employees a day off to cast their votes.
Is It Illegal to Take a Voting Booth Selfie?
You might want to think twice before whipping out your iPhone and snapping a pic at the polls, or even from your couch, this year.
The Checklist You Need to Prepare to Vote on November 8
The only thing more important than being an informed voter is having a plan.
How to Tell Whether a Political Poll Is Reliable
Election polls are everywhere right now, but they are not all equally trustworthy.
9 Amazing Facts About The Pentagon
The Pentagon, home to the U.S. Department of Defense, is a remarkable building—and has been since ground was broken on its Arlington, Virginia site 75 years ago.