Famous Figures
The Secret Service Code Names of 11 First Ladies
84
Article
In the chaos of a post-Civil War America, the federal law enforcement agency known as the Secret Service was formed as a branch of the U.S. Treasury Department. Back then, they weren’t the elite presidential protection unit we know today, but a critical line of defense against the rampant counterfeiting that threatened the nation’s financial stability. But that changed after the 1901 assassination of President William McKinley, when the Secret Service was assigned a new role that would redefine its legacy: protecting the nation’s political leaders and visiting foreign dignitaries. One of the more fascinating ...Read More
-
Famous FiguresArticle0Was Paul Bunyan Real?
Even in this age of internet-inspired distractions, Paul Bunyan remains a well-known figure in the pantheon of American icons. It’s easy to see why when considering his portfolio. A hardworking…
-
Famous FiguresFact13The oldest photo of a U.S. president is of John Quincy Adams.
On March 8 and 16 of 1843, former U.S. president and then-congressman John Quincy Adams trudged to the Washington, D.C., studio of Philip Haas to sit for a portrait of…
-
Famous FiguresArticle52Did George Washington Have a British Accent?
In 1584, the first English colony in North America was founded in what is now North Carolina. And though the 117 settlers who comprised the Roanoke Colony mysteriously disappeared three…
-
Famous FiguresArticle20Fascinating Facts About Every First Lady
As highly visible but unelected members of the U.S. executive branch, America’s first ladies occupy a singular place in the firmament of public figures. Most have capably satisfied the requirements…
