Is There a President in the House? – Part 2
Martin Van Buren was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1821. The previous year, he had engineered a revolt against his party’s leader, Governor...
For the Record – Presidents in Uniform – Part 3
Andrew Johnson’s military career was, like the rest of his career, political. He had attracted national attention as the only southern member of Congress...
Cactus Jack Garner – “Not Worth a Bucket of Warm …”
John Nance Garner spent his entire adult life working his way up to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and then gave it...
Thanks, But No Thanks – Silas Wright
Silas Wright turned down more major offices than most politicians win in a lifetime of election campaigns. Before his career ended with his premature...
Substitute First Lady – Harriet Lane
James Buchanan (1857-1861) was the only bachelor President. But he wasn’t the first President to enter the White House without a wife to act...
Civil War Vets in the White House, Part 1
In an earlier series of articles, we examined the military records of the Presidents. But one group deserves a closer look. From the end...
The President’s Lady – Ellen Herndon Arthur
Ellen Herndon Arthur would have been a great First Lady. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it to the White House with her husband, Chester A....
Presidential Children – Tyler’s 15, Still a Record
John Tyler, President from 1841-1845, had two wives. Both were First Ladies, and between them had fifteen children, which is still the record for...
Forgotten First Lady – The Other Mrs. Wilson
Woodrow Wilson’s wife was called The First Woman President, The Other 28th President, and The Petticoat President. All these nicknames were the result of...
Gays in Government
Although it has never been proven, there is a good chance that one or two members of the executive branch, both elected by the...
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The Origins of Thumbs Up or Down: Life or Death
Thumbs up in some cultures is a sign of approval, while in others, it is a sign of disrespect. Where did it come from?
The...
From Papyrus to Paper
Papyrus is an Egyptian water plant that has enabled man to preserve from oblivion the records of dynasties long since passed into history. The...
Qanats: Ancient Underground Aqueducts
Approximately 3000 years ago, clever technicians in the Middle East developed a method for moving water that was reliable, ecologically sound, pollution-free, long-lasting and...