PRESIDENTS

8 Things You Might Not Know About James A. Garfield

Our 20th president never actually pursued the presidency.

The Time Abraham Lincoln Stopped a Murder Trial in its Tracks

The story of a missing man, a damning confession, and a surprise witness who would shock the courtroom.

Funeral Train of President Abraham Lincoln

A Brief History of Presidential Funeral Trains

President Bush's funeral has revived an old tradition.

George H.W. Bush's Service Dog, Sully, Will Fly to D.C. With the Former President's Casket

The former president got the dog shortly after the death of his wife earlier this year.

The Highly Unusual Funeral of Lee Harvey Oswald

Fearing attacks on his corpse, the Secret Service guarded Lee Harvey Oswald well into the afterlife.

25 Fascinating Facts About John F. Kennedy

More than a half-century after his assassination cut his presidency short, JFK remains one of history’s most intriguing figures—and, according to Gallup, America’s favorite president.

9 People Who Killed John F. Kennedy, According to Conspiracy Theorists

Among those who don't believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing JFK, the same names keep popping up.

Image Composite: Edward Everett (Wikimedia Commons), Background (Wikimedia Commons)

The Other Gettysburg Address You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The greatest speech in American history had a tough act to follow.

Huge Collection of Teddy Roosevelt's Letters, Diaries, and Speeches Is Now Online

There are more than 276,000 documents to look through from T.R.'s tenure in public life, including his time before and after the White House, much of which had never been digitized before.

10 Facts About Dwight D. Eisenhower

One of the most popular U.S. presidents, Eisenhower significantly expanded the highway system, created NASA, and put five justices on the Supreme Court.

Eleanor Roosevelt holds a Spanish-language version of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

11 Inspiring Facts About Eleanor Roosevelt

On Eleanor Roosevelt's wedding day, then-President Theodore Roosevelt walked her down the aisle. Read on for more surprising facts about the first lady and diplomat.

11 Historical Figures Who Were Really Bad At Spelling

Would you recoil in terror if spell-check ever stopped working? Fear not: You're in good company.

10 Facts About Lyndon B. Johnson

LBJ worked his way from the bottom to become one of the most unique, colorful, and controversial presidents in history.

10 Facts About Gerald Ford

Number 38 once locked himself out of the White House.

Mathew Brady - National Archives and Records Administration, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

11 Fascinating Facts About John Quincy Adams

Sixth POTUS John Quincy Adams, who was born on July 11, 1767, was a fan of skinny-dipping—and pet alligators.

14 Surprising Facts About Robert F. Kennedy

The slain civil rights advocate wasn't above a bar fight.

Alexander Gardner, U.S. Library of Congress/Getty Images

The Lincoln Library May Have to Sell the President's Hat and Blood-Stained Gloves to Pay Off a Loan

The loan was used to purchase the same artifacts that are now being considered for auction.

NASA, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

"People Have Been Killed for Less": The Bizarre Letters Sent to Presidential Science Advisors

Along with counseling the president on nuclear energy and space exploration, the advisors politely replied to wild scientific theories mailed in from around the country.

Composite by Mental Floss. Illustrations, iStock.

The DEA Crackdown on Thomas Jefferson's Poppy Plants

In 1991, recreating Jefferson's legendary garden meant running afoul of federal law.

On This Day in 1933, FDR Gave His First Fireside Chat

"I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking."

The Only 4 Private Citizens to Lie in Honor at the U.S. Capitol

Billy Graham will be one of just a handful to receive the honor.

George Washington’s Incredible Hair Routine

America's Founding Fathers had some truly defining locks. While our first president's hair itself was all real, the color was not.

7 Things You Might Not Know About William McKinley

The poor guy recently lost a mountain—not that he ever visited it, though.

House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving and Donald Trump arrive for a meeting with the House Republican conference.

What Does the Sergeant at Arms Do?

Both the House and the Senate have their own Sergeant at Arms, and their visibility is highest during the State of the Union address. But what do they do the other 364 days of the year?

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