Mike Purdy's Presidential History Blog
Mike Purdy Speaks on the Presidents at Whitworth University
I had the privilege of speaking to a political science class on "The American Presidency" at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington on September 26, 2013.History Changing Relationship: My topic was the historical significance of the relationship between...
Unique Dramatical Presentation of 33 Presidents and First Ladies
Experience the dramatic, onstage presentation of the stories of 33 U.S. Presidential couples with just two performers!When: Performed over 5 days from October 29, 2013 through November 2, 2013Where: Ocean City, Maryland (OC Jamboree Theater)Cost:$150 - All...
The Softer Side of President Ulysses S. Grant
We know Ulysses S. Grant as a military and war leader and as the 18th President of the United States who served two terms.But he was also husband to Julia for almost 37 years before his death at the age of 63 on July 23, 1885. Julia survived him by another 17...
What Presidents Took the Oath of Office the Most Number of Times?
FDR's 4th oath of officeWhen we think about which presidents took the oath of office the most number of times, obviously Franklin D. Roosevelt immediately comes to mind. FDR was elected to an unprecedented four terms as president and took the oath of office four...
New Book – Ike and Dick: Portrait of a Strange Political Marriage
A newly published book examines the relationship between Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon. Entitled "Ike and Dick: Portrait of a Strange Political Marriage," author Jeffrey Frank examines the often troubled political and private relationship between these two...
Theodore Roosevelt Lost His Wife and Mother on the Same Day
When Theodore Roosevelt was just 25 years old, a traumatic double tragedy struck his life, one from which he never fully recovered. It was February 14, 1884 - St. Valentine's Day - and the fourth anniversary of Theodore's engagement to his beloved wife,...
The Plot to Kill Lincoln Before His Inauguration
On February 11, 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln spoke to a thousand citizens gathered in Springfield, Illinois to wish him well before he departed that day for Washington, D.C. to assume the presidency. Lincoln's remarks in Springfield: At 8:00...
The Second Contested Presidential Election
On February 9, 1825, the U.S. House of Representatives ended the electoral drama of the 1824 presidential election by choosing John Quincy Adams as president.Second election decided by House: The vote by the House was the second and last time the House was...
Locations of Presidents Taking Oath of Office
America's presidents have taken the oath of office in 24 different locations since the first presidential inauguration of George Washington on April 30, 1789.Some took the oath of office privately, either because of the death or resignation of the president before...
New Book on Words and Phrases Coined by the Presidents
A new book was published in early January 2013, entitled "Words from the White House: Words and Phrases Coined or Popularized by America's Presidents." The author is lexicographer Paul Dickson.According to the publisher, Dickson has compiled the first...
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About Mike
Mike Purdy is a presidential historian and author living in Seattle, Washington. As an expert in presidential history, Mike runs PresidentialHistory.com as a public resource.