United States PresidencyUnited States Presidency

Presidential Trivia FactsPresidential Trivia Facts

There have been five known left-handed There have been five known left-handed presidents.presidents.

Ronald Reagan was the oldest elected president Ronald Reagan was the oldest elected president at the age of 69.at the age of 69.

Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest elected Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest elected president at the age of 42.president at the age of 42.

There has only been one red-headed president.There has only been one red-headed president. There have been 20 elected presidents that were There have been 20 elected presidents that were

taller than 6’.taller than 6’. Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4thth.. Three presidents were married while in office and Three presidents were married while in office and

one president was never married.one president was never married.

Candidate Candidate announces announces plan to run plan to run for office.for office.

This announcement This announcement launches the candidate's launches the candidate's official campaign. official campaign. Speeches, debates, and Speeches, debates, and baby-kissing begin in full baby-kissing begin in full force.force.

Candidate Candidate campaigns campaigns

to win to win delegate delegate support.support.

The first stage of a presidential campaign is the nomination The first stage of a presidential campaign is the nomination campaign. campaign.

At this time the candidate is competing with other candidates At this time the candidate is competing with other candidates in the same party, hoping to get the party's nomination. in the same party, hoping to get the party's nomination.

The candidate works to win delegates—representatives who The candidate works to win delegates—representatives who pledge to support the candidate's nomination at the national pledge to support the candidate's nomination at the national party convention—and to persuade potential voters in general.party convention—and to persuade potential voters in general.

Caucuses Caucuses and primaryand primary

elections elections take place in take place in the states.the states.

Caucuses and primaries are ways for the general public Caucuses and primaries are ways for the general public to take part in nominating presidential candidates. to take part in nominating presidential candidates. Before the 20th century, only the party leaders in each Before the 20th century, only the party leaders in each state could nominate presidential candidates.state could nominate presidential candidates.

At a caucus, local party members gather to nominate a At a caucus, local party members gather to nominate a candidate.candidate.

A primary is more like a general election. Voters go to A primary is more like a general election. Voters go to the polls to cast their votes for a presidential candidate the polls to cast their votes for a presidential candidate (or delegates who will represent that candidate at the (or delegates who will represent that candidate at the party convention). Primary elections are the main way party convention). Primary elections are the main way for voters to choose a nominee.for voters to choose a nominee.

Nominee for Nominee for president is president is

announced at announced at national party national party conventions.conventions.

The main goal of a national party convention is to unify party The main goal of a national party convention is to unify party members behind the party's platform and nominees. members behind the party's platform and nominees.

By the mid-20th century primary elections had become the By the mid-20th century primary elections had become the main way of selecting a nominee.main way of selecting a nominee.

After the convention, the second stage of the presidential After the convention, the second stage of the presidential campaign begins: the election campaign. In this stage, campaign begins: the election campaign. In this stage, presidential candidates from different parties compete against presidential candidates from different parties compete against each other.each other.

Citizens cast their votes.Citizens cast their votes.

Presidential elections are held every four years on the Presidential elections are held every four years on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November. This was Tuesday after the first Monday of November. This was decided long ago, when many voters had to make a long, decided long ago, when many voters had to make a long, slow journey to the polling place. By early November crops slow journey to the polling place. By early November crops were in but the weather was usually not too cold for travel. were in but the weather was usually not too cold for travel. And because Sunday was a day of rest, voters would begin And because Sunday was a day of rest, voters would begin the trip on Monday.the trip on Monday.

Many Americans think that when they cast their ballot, they Many Americans think that when they cast their ballot, they are voting for their chosen candidate. In actuality they are are voting for their chosen candidate. In actuality they are selecting groups of electors in the electoral college.selecting groups of electors in the electoral college.

The Electoral College casts its The Electoral College casts its votes.votes.

Some of the founding Some of the founding fathers wanted Congress fathers wanted Congress to elect the president. to elect the president. Others wanted the Others wanted the president to be elected by president to be elected by popular vote. The popular vote. The electoral college electoral college represents a compromise represents a compromise between these ideas.between these ideas.

At the last presidential At the last presidential election there were 538 election there were 538 electors. Although laws electors. Although laws vary by state, electors are vary by state, electors are usually chosen by popular usually chosen by popular vote. vote.

The Electoral College casts its The Electoral College casts its votes.votes.

All the electoral votes from a particular state go to the All the electoral votes from a particular state go to the candidate who leads the popular vote in that state. A candidate candidate who leads the popular vote in that state. A candidate can therefore win millions of popular votes but no electoral can therefore win millions of popular votes but no electoral votes. This “winner takes all” system can produce seemingly votes. This “winner takes all” system can produce seemingly uneven results; in the elections of 1876, 1888, and 2000, for uneven results; in the elections of 1876, 1888, and 2000, for instance, the candidate who had the greatest popular vote did instance, the candidate who had the greatest popular vote did not win the greatest electoral college vote, and so lost the not win the greatest electoral college vote, and so lost the presidency.presidency.

On the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, On the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, the electors cast their ballots. Nothing in the Constitution or the electors cast their ballots. Nothing in the Constitution or federal law requires that the electors vote along with their federal law requires that the electors vote along with their state's popular vote, though an elector who did not would likely state's popular vote, though an elector who did not would likely not be reelected. At least 270 electoral votes are required to not be reelected. At least 270 electoral votes are required to elect a president. If this majority is not reached, the House of elect a president. If this majority is not reached, the House of Representatives will elect the president.Representatives will elect the president.

The President Is Inaugurated.The President Is Inaugurated.

On January 20, the president enters office in a formal On January 20, the president enters office in a formal ceremony know as the inauguration. He takes the ceremony know as the inauguration. He takes the presidential oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I presidential oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Until the Twentieth Amendment, the “Lame Duck” Until the Twentieth Amendment, the “Lame Duck” amendment, Presidents were inaugurated on March 4amendment, Presidents were inaugurated on March 4thth. . The amendment changed the date to January 20The amendment changed the date to January 20thth. Franklin . Franklin D. Roosevelt was the last president to be inaugurated on D. Roosevelt was the last president to be inaugurated on March 4 (3/4/1933) and the first president to be March 4 (3/4/1933) and the first president to be inaugurated on January 20 (1/20/37).inaugurated on January 20 (1/20/37).

Inauguration Inauguration FactsFacts

When Inauguration When Inauguration Day falls on a Day falls on a Sunday the Sunday the president-elect takes president-elect takes the oath privately on the oath privately on that day, and that day, and repeats it in a public repeats it in a public ceremony the next ceremony the next day. day.

Ronald Reagan owns Ronald Reagan owns the distinction of the distinction of having the coldest having the coldest traditional-date (Jan. traditional-date (Jan. 20) Inauguration 20) Inauguration Day on record (7 Day on record (7 degrees F in 1985) degrees F in 1985) and the warmest (55 and the warmest (55 degrees F in 1981). degrees F in 1981).

Facts about the White HouseFacts about the White House

There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence. There are also 412 doors, 147 in the Residence. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.elevators.

The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.cover its outside surface.

At various times in history, the White House has At various times in history, the White House has been known as the "President's Palace," the been known as the "President's Palace," the "President's House," and the "Executive "President's House," and the "Executive Mansion." President Theodore Roosevelt officially Mansion." President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.gave the White House its current name in 1901.

History of the White HouseHistory of the White House

Construction began when the first cornerstone Construction began when the first cornerstone was laid in October of 1792. Although President was laid in October of 1792. Although President

Washington oversaw the construction of the Washington oversaw the construction of the house, he never lived in it. It was not until 1800, house, he never lived in it. It was not until 1800,

when the White House was nearly completed, when the White House was nearly completed, that its first residents, President John Adams and that its first residents, President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved in. Since that time, each his wife, Abigail, moved in. Since that time, each

President has made his own changes and President has made his own changes and additions. The White House is, after all, the additions. The White House is, after all, the President’s private home. It is also the only President’s private home. It is also the only

private residence of a head of state that is open private residence of a head of state that is open to the public, free of charge.to the public, free of charge.

ResourcesResources

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0878http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0878225.html225.html

http://http://www.infoplease.com/spot/inauguratiowww.infoplease.com/spot/inaugurationdate.htmlndate.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/index.hthttp://www.whitehouse.gov/index.htmlml

http://http://www.whitehouse.govwww.whitehouse.gov/kids//kids/