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Presidential Vetoes: Because I Said So
On this date in 1792, George Washington used his presidential veto power for the first time. Here are a few things you may not have known about the veto. The history of the veto, which means “I forbid” in Latin, can be traced to the Roman Empire. Roman consuls had to act unanimously, so one…
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Lady Bird Johnson: A First Lady of the First Order
Today is the birthday of Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. Here are some things you may not have known about her. She was born Claudia Alta Taylor in Karnack, Texas in 1912. When she was a baby, her nurse said that she was as “purty as a ladybird” and…
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Presidential Succession: Who’s Next?
Today is the 49th anniversary of the ratification of the 25th amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Here are some things you may not have known about presidential succession. Before the 25th amendment was ratified, the U.S. Constitution was unclear regarding presidential succession in cases of death, resignation or inability to serve. The…