Harry Truman’s Adorable Love “List” to His Wife, Bess
As a celebration of 38 years of marriage, the former president shared his memories, both fond and bittersweet, from each anniversary
February 12, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
The Unsuccessful Plot to Kill Abraham Lincoln
On the eve of his first inauguration, President Lincoln snuck into Washington in the middle of the night, evading the would-be assassins who waited for him in Baltimore
February 2013 |
By Daniel Stashower
War and Peace of Mind for Ulysses S. Grant
With the help of his friend Mark Twain, Grant finished his memoirs—and saved his wife from an impoverished widowhood—just days before he died
January 16, 2013 |
By Gilbert King
Document Deep Dive: The Menu From President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Ball
What delicacies and confectionaries were found on the 250-foot-long buffet table?
January 15, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
The Candor and Lies of Nazi Officer Albert Speer
The minister of armaments was happy to tell his captors about the war machine he had built. But it was a different story when he was asked about the Holocaust
January 08, 2013 |
By Gilbert King
The History of the Teddy Bear: From Wet and Angry to Soft and Cuddly
After Teddy Roosevelt's act of sportsmanship in 1902 was made legendary by a political cartoonist, his name was forever affixed to an American classic
December 21, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Document Deep Dive: Emancipation Proclamation
When freeing the slaves 150 years ago, Abraham Lincoln traded in his famous lyricism for a dry, legal tone. Harold Holzer explains why
December 19, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
How the Emancipation Proclamation Came to Be Signed
The pen, inkwell and one copy of the document that freed the slaves are photographed together for the first time
December 2012 |
By Louis P. Masur
The Day Henry Clay Refused to Compromise
The Great Pacificator was adept at getting congressmen to reach agreements over slavery. But he was less accommodating when one of his own slaves sued him
December 06, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
The Kennedy Assassin Who Failed
Richard Paul Pavlick’s plan wasn’t very complicated, but it took an eagle-eyed postal worker to prevent a tragedy
December 06, 2012 |
By Dan Lewis
Madame Restell: The Abortionist of Fifth Avenue
Without benefit of medical training, Madame Restell spent 40 years as a "female physician"
November 27, 2012 |
By Karen Abbott
The History of Pardoning Turkeys Began With Tad Lincoln
The rambunctious boy had free rein of the White House, and used it to divert a holiday bird from the butcher's block
November 21, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Henry Wiencek Responds to His Critics
The author of a new book about Thomas Jefferson makes his case and defends his scholarship
November 14, 2012 |
By Smithsonian.com
Geronimo’s Appeal to Theodore Roosevelt
Held captive far longer than his surrender agreement called for, the Apache warrior made his case directly to the president
November 09, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
When Republicans Were Blue and Democrats Were Red
The era of color-coded political parties is more recent than you might think
November 01, 2012 |
By Jodi Enda
Mr. Lincoln Goes to Hollywood
Steven Spielberg, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Tony Kushner talk about what it takes to wrestle an epic presidency into a feature film
November 2012 |
By Roy Blount Jr.
PHOTOS: The History of Abraham Lincoln on Film
The 16th president has been a Hollywood star and box office attraction since the earliest days of Hollywood
November 2012 |
By Jesse Rhodes
The Speech That Saved Teddy Roosevelt’s Life
Campaigning for president 100 years ago, Roosevelt was spared almost certain death when 50 pieces of paper slowed an assailant’s bullet headed for his chest
November 2012 |
By Patricia O'Toole
A Halloween Massacre at the White House
In the fall of 1975 President Gerald Ford survived two assassination attempts and a car accident. Then his life got really complicated
October 25, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
A Brief History of the Teleprompter
How a makeshift show business memory aid became the centerpiece of modern political campaigning
October 23, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
