presidents

The Presidents

Teddy Roosevelt: Piranha Publicist

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

The Presidents

4 Presidents Who Painted for Fun and Profit

For four presidents in history that we know of, and likely a few more that we don’t, painting has been a comfort both before their executive years and after them. ... READ ON

The Presidents

Presidential Flight Before Air Force One

They’ve been called “flying Oval Offices,” presently contain some of the world’s most high-tech missile defense systems, and even starred in an action movie alongside Harrison Ford. Yet, contrary to popular belief, Presidential airplanes have been around since 1933—26 years before the phrase “Air Force One” was first uttered.... READ ON

The Presidents

George Washington's Fishery

When we think of America’s first president, quarters, cherry trees, and false teeth often come to mind. But fishing?... READ ON

History

A Song of the South, Born in the North

While “Dixie” (you know, “Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton/Old times there are not forgotten…”) might seem as inseparable from the South as collard greens and barbecue, the song was actually written in New York by an Ohio native. ... READ ON

The Presidents

5 Other Americans Who Were Kinda, Sorta President

Students might not have to memorize these names when they're learning all the presidents, but these people were closer than a heartbeat away.... READ ON

Big Question

Why Don't We Celebrate Washington's Birthday On His Birthday?

Happy Washington's Birthday! Oh, did you think we were celebrating Presidents' Day? In fact, the federal holiday on the third Monday in February is officially known as Washington's Day to celebrate the birthday of the first president.... READ ON

The Presidents

Chester Arthur's New York Apartment turned into a Grocery Store

History

The Way to Lincoln’s Heart: Mary Todd’s Courting Cake

It’s common knowledge among Lincoln historians that Mary Todd had a “courting cake” that she baked for Abe while they were dating after buying the recipe from her favorite bakery in Lexington, Kentucky. He declared it “the best cake I ever ate.” Here's the recipe.... READ ON

The Presidents

FDR's Weather Machine

Franklin Roosevelt wasn’t a president who took climate change lightly. Just look at his answer to the Dust Bowl—the series of massive dust storms that ravaged the American heartland in the early 1930s.... READ ON