PRESIDENTS

Pete Souza/The White House, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Can Presidents Pardon Themselves?

It’s a question that has been debated since the writing of the Constitution: Can Presidents pardon themselves?

Shirley Chisholm speaks at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.

Shirley Chisholm’s History-Making 1972 Presidential Campaign Is the Subject of a New Movie Starring Danai Gurira

‘The Fighting Shirley Chisholm’ will chronicle the trailblazing politician’s presidential campaign of 1972.

Where Did the Term Lame Duck Originate?

Lame duck presidents date back to the beginning of U.S. history, but we didn’t start calling them that until the 20th century.

How Do Election Recounts Work? Here's a Simple Explanation

A few key states could decide the 2020 presidential election. Here's what happens in each if a recount is called for.

An 1876 pamphlet reads, "[O]ur nation's choice, Rutherford B. Hayes, William A. Wheeler."

His Fraudulency: Rutherford B. Hayes and the Contested Presidential Election of 1876

Though it was nearly 150 years ago, the outcome of the 1876 presidential election—which pitted Rutherford B. Hayes against Samuel Tilden—reverberates in America even today.

A portrait of Horace Greeley engraved by Adam B. Walter.

When Horace Greeley Lost the 1872 Presidential Election—Then Promptly Died

Horace Greeley’s sudden death sent the Electoral College—which had yet to vote—into a state of confusion.

President Woodrow Wilson photographed in good health.

When Woodrow Wilson Caught the 1918 Flu During a Pandemic, But Hid It From the Public

Woodrow Wilson never publicly acknowledged the 1918 influenza pandemic—not even after he caught the virus himself.

Astronaut Kate Rubins casts her ballot from space.

How Do Astronauts Vote From Space?

Kate Rubins cast her ballot from the International Space Station with the help of a county clerk and a nifty technology known as the PDF.

FDR's Lincoln K Sunshine Special at the now-closed Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Michigan.

The Evolution of the Presidential State Car

From FDR’s modest Lincoln to Obama’s massive Ground Force One, here’s how the president’s car has changed over the years.

Front row, left to right: Stephen G. Breyer, Clarence Thomas, (Chief Justice) John G. Roberts, Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Samuel A. Alito. Back row: Neil M. Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Brett M. Kavanaugh.

Why Does the Supreme Court Have Nine Justices?

The Constitution never specified a number of Supreme Court justices, and it’s fluctuated quite a lot over the years.

History Vs. Bonus Episode: Fact Checking Theodore Roosevelt

In this final bonus episode of History Vs., Erin and Mental Floss fact checker Austin Thompson discuss the challenges and delights of tracking down the truth about Theodore Roosevelt—and bust some TR myths, too. Learn more about your ad-choices at https

Theodore Roosevelt's Long Island home has 23 rooms and more books than you can count.

10 Facts About Sagamore Hill, Theodore Roosevelt's Home

Theodore Roosevelt had very particular ideas about how Sagamore Hill should be designed—including "a very big piazza ... where we could sit in rocking chairs and look at the sunset." Here what you should know about Roosevelt's "Summer White House."

Schlesinger Library, RIAS, Harvard University // No Known Copyright Restrictions

Alice Dunnigan, the First Black Woman Journalist to Get White House Press Credentials

Alice Dunnigan overcame racism, sexism, and other obstacles to make history as the first Black woman credentialed to cover the White House.

13 Burning Mail-In Ballot Questions, Answered

From important deadlines to common mistakes, here's what you need to know to make sure your vote gets counted in 2020.

Absentee Ballot vs. Mail-In Ballot: What’s the Difference?

States are changing their vote-by-mail rules for this year’s general election. Here's what you need to know.

What does it mean when a politician approves of a message in a campaign commercial?

Why Do Politicians Need to Say 'I Approve This Message' in Their Ads?

Anyone running for federal office is required to endorse their own television ads. While it's supposed to make their political statements more honest, it might be having the opposite effect.

Warren G. Harding looking dapper in June 1920.

The Grandson of Warren G. Harding's Mistress Wants to Prove His Presidential Lineage—By Exhuming Harding's Body

For the record, other DNA tests have already proven that Warren G. Harding’s grandson is, in fact, Warren G. Harding’s grandson.

Voting by mail isn't the type of task you can procrastinate.

How—and When—to Vote by Mail in Each State

Many states are letting residents vote by mail in this November’s presidential election—here’s how to do it.

An 1864 illustration by William Waud of Union soldiers voting in Pennsylvania.

The Civil War Beginnings of America’s Absentee Ballots

Abraham Lincoln was up for reelection in 1864, and Republicans thought soldiers’ absentee ballots could help.

Uphold democracy and maybe make a few hundred dollars, too.

There's a Shortage of Poll Workers in 2020. Here's How You Can Become One

Election Day 2020 is less than two months away, and you can help things run smoothly (and probably get paid for it).

Old Navy is encouraging employees to lend a hand on Election Day.

Old Navy Will Pay Its Employees to Work the Polls in November

Old Navy is motivating its more than 50,000 employees to come out in force for Election Day on November 3.

History Vs. Bonus Episode: Theodore Roosevelt and the Perdicaris Affair

How Theodore Roosevelt used his big stick diplomacy to make the most of an international incident in an election year. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

You Can Now Read Thousands of Abraham Lincoln's Personal Letters Online

About half of the 40,000 documents in the Library of Congress's Lincoln Papers Collection are now available to search and read digitally online.

Barack Obama walks on the colonnade after leaving the Oval Office for the last time as President on January 20, 2017.

What Benefits Do Presidents Get After They Leave Office?

The Former Presidents Act, which was passed by Dwight Eisenhower in 1958—largely to help Harry Truman, who struggled financially after leaving the Oval Office—entitles ex-presidents to a handful of benefits.

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