PRESIDENTS

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How Thomas Jefferson Invented A New Way Of Saying “Goodbye”

The History of the White House Easter Egg Roll

On April 6, most of us will be filling our lunch bags with egg salad sandwiches and wondering if Cadbury eggs count as a healthy breakfast. The folks who call the White House home, however, will still be celebrating Easter with 35,000 of their closest fri

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16 Facts About James Madison

At 5 feet 4 inches, Madison was America’s shortest commander-in-chief—but he left behind a towering legacy.

5 Presidents Who Fought For Their Right To Party

Adapted from the book PARTY LIKE A PRESIDENT: TRUE TALES OF INEBRIATION, LECHERY, AND MISCHIEF FROM THE OVAL OFFICE by Brian Abrams.

David Rice Atchison, One-Day President

He might not show up in history books, but for one day David Rice Atchison was President of the United States.

9 of Abraham Lincoln's Smartest (and Sassiest) Quotes

Q&A: President Jimmy Carter

We chatted with President Carter about "neglected" diseases, the challenges of eradication, and how fashion has helped fight disease.

The Time Abe Lincoln and a Rival Almost Dueled

On September 22, 1842, the Mississippi River levee in Alton, Illinois, was crammed full of spectators awaiting the results of a highly anticipated duel -- a smackdown between Abraham Lincoln and political rival James Shields.

15 Facts About William Howard Taft

Here are 15 larger-than-life fun facts to help you celebrate William Howard Taft and his plus-sized legacy.

Why Do We Stretch During the Seventh Inning?

Reading about the theories behind the Seventh-Inning Stretch's origin story might take longer than the stretch itself.

12 of Old Hickory's Best Lines

Andrew Jackson was many things: Stubborn. Brilliant. Ruthless. Romantic. And insanely quotable. From his hatred of the bank to his hatred of proper spelling, Jackson had a lot to say about a lot of topics. Here are some of his greatest hits.

The Time Johnny Cash Met Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon was hoping for a light-hearted, impromptu concert at the White House, but the Man in Black delivered a full-frontal musical attack on the president's policies.

11 of Abe Lincoln’s Favorite Stories

“That reminds me…” When Lincoln uttered those three simple words, you knew it was time to get comfy. Honest Abe had an endless supply of jokes, tall tales, and anecdotes, including these folksy classics.

9 Super-Presidential Marriages

The only thing that could possibly be more stars-and-stripes than a post about U.S. presidents and American historical figures is a post that doubles up on them. In honor of Independence Day, we give you nine presidential relatives who didn't have to look

Teddy Roosevelt Turned Piranhas Into Ferocious Maneaters

The tiny piranha's reputation can be traced back to a surprising source.

25 Facts About John Adams

Lawyer, statesman, president, gadfly, New Englander: John Adams was a lot of things, but boring wasn't one of them.

Ronald Reagan and His Six-Year-Old Pen Pal

I had a pen pal when I was a little kid. My teacher set up a program for our class with another teacher's classroom across the country. I imagine a bunch of you had a similar setup sometime in elementary school, and so did Washington, D.C. student Rudy Hi

9 of Thomas Jefferson’s Head-Turning Hobbies

If television existed in the 18th and 19th centuries, Thomas Jefferson could’ve earned a living starring in Dos Equis commercials. As a writer, wine-maker, astronomer, gourmet chef, and even a fossil-hunter, our third President was clearly one of the most

Andrew Jackson's Big Block of Cheese

On Wednesday, the White House is holding "Big Block of Cheese Day." Here's a look back at the Andrew Jackson party that inspired it.

11 Fan Art Tributes to Teddy Roosevelt

There are hundreds of artists out there with their own tributes to Mr. Roosevelt. Here are a few of our favorites.

Abraham Lincoln's Retirement Plans

We all know Honest Abe’s untimely fate, but had it not been for that deadly trip to Ford’s Theatre, how would he have spent his private life after leaving office?

The Time Teddy Roosevelt Traumatized Dr. Seuss

Given some of his outlandish characters, you might not peg Dr. Seuss as the quiet type. But by most accounts, the beloved author was a shy, soft-spoken person who hated addressing large groups. Who gets the blame for his stage fright? Theodore Roosevelt a

7 Fun Facts About the White House Movie Theater

There’s no shortage of amenities at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but perhaps the most culturally significant is the White House Family Theater, which has been playing everything from classic American films to shameless campaign promos since its inception in

7 Nifty Things in George Washington’s Presidential Library

It took 216 years, but on Friday George Washington was finally honored with his own presidential library. Let's take a peek inside.

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