PRESIDENTS

The Sappy, Poignant, and Risqué Love Letters of 7 World Leaders

Richard Nixon was a romantic, Napoleon was a clinger, and Warren Harding turned out to be a smut peddler. Check out some of the fascinating love letters of seven world leaders.

Why the Iowa Caucus Comes First

The Iowa caucus doesn’t always predict the presidential nominee, but it’s been an important part of the process since the 1970s.

How Much Damage Does Marine One Cause to the White House Lawn When It Lands?

You might be surprised to learn that a few bent blades of grass are about the only damage that occurs when Marine One takes off and lands at the White House. But your ego could get bruised if you don't hold onto your hat—or any other garment that could go

When Theodore Roosevelt Refused Geronimo's Plea

The Apache leader Geronimo had just one request of President Theodore Roosevelt when they met in 1905, but it was a big one.

History Vs. Episode 11: History Vs. Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt was a man who never stopped fighting. He grappled with his own physical deficiencies, railed against corruption, and always fought to move the nation forward in the way he thought best. One-hundred-and-one years after his death, where c

History Vs. Episode 10: Theodore Roosevelt Vs. Death

At age 55, Theodore Roosevelt embarked on an Amazonian jungle trek along the River of Doubt, where he very nearly lost his life. It was, in many ways, the icing on the cake of a life brimming with near-death experiences. He had close encounters with wild

John Adams: Hulton Archive/Stringer/Getty Images. Thomas Jefferson: Print Collector/Getty Images

When John Adams and Thomas Jefferson Stole a Piece of Shakespeare's Chair

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chipped off a piece of wood from Shakespeare's chair in the 18th century—but only because everyone else was doing it.

How Teddy Roosevelt Became a G.I. Joe Action Figure

When you look back at the colorful life of the frontiersman-turned-solider-turned-president, maybe it isn’t a stretch to put Teddy Roosevelt alongside Duke, Hawk, and the rest of the G.I. Joes.

History Vs. Bonus Episode: Theodore Roosevelt Vs. Christmas Trees

Theodore Roosevelt loved Christmas, but the Roosevelt family never had a Christmas tree. If you believe the stories, it's because TR, an avid conservationist, had banned them—and that ban is supposedly what led his son, Archie, to sneak a tree into the Wh

21 of Theodore Roosevelt’s Most Memorable Pets

When Theodore Roosevelt moved into the White House in 1901, he brought with him his wife, his six children, and one of the widest (and wildest) menageries Washington, D.C. has ever seen.

7 Animals Named After Theodore Roosevelt

From big cats to tiny fish, the collection of animals named for Theodore Roosevelt is eclectic—just like our adventurous 26th president.

History Vs. Episode 9: Theodore Roosevelt Vs. The World

Theodore Roosevelt was the first American to win a Nobel Prize, which he clinched in part for brokering peace between Japan and Russia in the Russo-Japanese War. During his presidency, he also paved the way for the construction of the Panama Canal. He got

George Varian, Ladies Home Journal // Public Domain, Courtesy of HathiTrust

When Theodore Roosevelt’s Son Snuck a Christmas Tree into the White House

President Theodore Roosevelt was well-known as a conservationist, but that wasn't necessarily the reason there was no White House Christmas tree in 1902.

Scientists Just Created 3D Digital Replicas of John F. Kennedy’s Assassination Bullets

Sorry, JFK conspiracy theorists—the National Archives has made it clear that this doesn’t mean his case is reopened.

History Vs. Episode 8: Theodore Roosevelt Vs. Alice

Like parents and children often do, Theodore Roosevelt and his daughter Alice butted heads in part because they were so similar—both passionate, curious, strong-willed, and intelligent. Throughout her upbringing (tag-teamed by TR’s sister and his second w

Richard Nixon

From his vice presidency to the Watergate scandal, here's what you should know about Richard Nixon.

History Vs. Episode 7: Theodore Roosevelt Vs. Other Presidents

Theodore Roosevelt revered Abraham Lincoln so much that, during his second inauguration, he wore a ring containing a lock of Lincoln’s hair. His feelings toward other presidents, however, were a little less warm and fuzzy. TR thought William Howard Taft w

Acroterion, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0

The Unusual Journey of Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin

The Maltese Cross Cabin traveled to expositions across the country before settling at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, making it one of the most well-traveled former homes of any U.S. president.

Kate Warne was instrumental in foiling a plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln.

The Story of Kate Warne, America's First Female Private Detective

At a time when women were rarely, if ever, were considered for roles in law enforcement, Kate Warne became a top investigator—and helped saved Abraham Lincoln's life.

History Vs. Episode 6: Theodore Roosevelt vs. Corruption

Long before Batman and Commissioner Gordon fought corruption under cover of darkness in Gotham, Theodore Roosevelt, president of the police commission, was prowling around New York City in plainclothes at night to make sure his policemen were doing their

Harry Houdini and Theodore Roosevelt aboard the SS Imperator.

How to Baffle a Bull Moose: The Time Harry Houdini Tricked Theodore Roosevelt

Houdini once dumbfounded Roosevelt with an impromptu seance—little did he know, Houdini had been planning the ruse for weeks.

History Vs. Episode 4: Theodore Roosevelt Vs. Nature

Roosevelt studied wildlife as a child, shot wildlife as a young adult, and saved wildlife as president (and beyond). How did he reconcile his passion for hunting with his deep belief in conservation as our national duty? In this episode, we’ll analyze TR’

Did Teddy Roosevelt Really Say That?

Can you distinguish the genuine Theodore Roosevelt aphorisms from things other presidents and authors have said?

How a Herd of Goats Helped Save the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum from California’s Wildfires

Vincent Van Goat, Selena Goatmez, and more very hungry goats cleared flammable brush in the area earlier this year.

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