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US War PowersThe United States Constitution separates war-making power between two branches as a check on this authority: Article I grants Congress the exclusive power to declare war, raise armies, and fund the military, while Article II designates the president as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Congress has issued 11 declarations of war across five conflicts—most recently in 1942—and, throughout much of American history, major wars have generally received explicit congressional approval.
President Harry Truman sent troops into Korea in 1950 without seeking specific congressional approval, citing the UN Charter and his authority as commander in chief. This pattern continued, most notably in Vietnam, where the US fought without a formal declaration from Congress. Congress attempted to limit executive power by passing the War Powers Resolution in 1973. The law requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces and to start withdrawing within 60 days unless authorized.
Presidents from both parties have resisted key constraints, and Congress has rarely pushed back. When it has acted, it has passed broad authorizations for specific conflicts rather than trying to enforce the Resolution's limits. The most significant of these, the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, passed after the Sept. 11 attacks, has been used by four consecutive presidents to justify military operations in more than 20 countries over two decades.Explore US War Powers
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See checks signed by US presidentsOne bank has made it a point to conserve checks from US presidents. Peruse this gallery of signed checks from Washington, FDR, JFK, Lincoln, and more. The Conservation CenterPhotos of Olympians visiting with US presidentsAmerican Olympic athletes have visited the White House for nearly a century, with presidents using these ceremonial receptions to celebrate athletic excellence and connect sports achievement to national pride. The tradition has evolved from modest gatherings into major media events across multiple administrations. White House Historical AssociationHow two US Presidents defined WWII and its aftermathThe National WWII Museum’s “To the Best of My Ability” podcast series delves into how Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman steered the US through World War Two. Best of My Ability Podcast - National WWII MuseumAll US presidents, by generationEvery president is a member of a generation, and Baby Boomers have held the Oval Office since 1992 (with the exception of Joe Biden, of the Silent Generation). But what about in the early days? Turns out the generation with the most presidents is the Transcendental Generation (born between 1792-1821), which includes Abraham Lincoln. Check out the full list (and what are most likely very new generational terms) with this fun overview. Where's my Sunny Porch?The favorite restaurants of former US presidentsCurious about the eating habits of past commanders-in-chief? From George Washington to Barack Obama, discover the food preferences of former US presidents. Find out who liked to go out vs. stay in, where they frequented, what they ordered, and how they spent their time in each establishment. MashedFive US presidents won the election despite losing the popular voteBecause presidents are elected through the Electoral College rather than a national vote, candidates can win while receiving fewer votes nationwide. John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump (2016) each won the presidency while losing the nationwide popular vote. History'Knowledge will forever govern ignorance.'- US President James Madison (1751-1836) The 2024 US presidential election was a breakthrough moment for prediction marketsFounded in 2018 by MIT graduates, Kalshi won a federal appeals court ruling in October 2024 that allowed it to offer election contracts in the US. When prediction markets predicted President Donald Trump's win (more accurately than most polls), prediction markets were thrust into the public eye. KPMGThe FBI once raided Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan's homeIn 2024, after Polymarket markets favored what turned out to be the winning outcome of the US presidential election, agents raided Coplan's New York City apartment. Coplan, who was only 26 years old at the time, was home during the raid and turned over his devices to authorities. NBC NewsA prediction market was more accurate than most polls about the 2024 US presidential electionThe idea that the median estimate of a group can be more accurate than individual expert estimates is called the "wisdom of the crowd," and dates back to the early 1900s. This theory can help explain the perceived value of prediction markets when it comes to polling and more. Modern prediction markets started in Iowa in 1988The University of Iowa's Iowa Electronic Markets were introduced during the 1988 US presidential election. The beginning of their origin story almost sounds like a joke: Three economists walked into a bar. NBC NewsHamilton has appeared on US paper currency since the Civil WarSince the US began printing money in 1861, Alexander Hamilton has appeared at different times on the $5, $2, $20, $50, $500, and $1000 bills. Since 1928, he has remained on the $10 bill—making him, alongside Benjamin Franklin, one of the two non-presidents currently on US currency. Gilder Lehrman Institute of American HistoryPresidents are required to update Congress on the state of the country from 'time to time'Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution says that the president "shall from time to time" give Congress information on the state of the union and recommend measures deemed "necessary and expedient," leaving the timing and format unspecified. National Constitution CenterMost White House renovations have cost no more than $10M The storied residence of the US president has undergone many overhauls in its day, from rooftop fixes to bowling alley and pool installations. The majority of the renovation projects came in under $10M. President Trump's 2025 expansion of the West Wing, primarily funded by private donations, will cost more than $200M. USAFactsGo inside Air Force OneAir Force One is the official aircraft used to transport the US president, serving as both a mobile office and command center. Over the decades, its technology, security, and symbolism have evolved—from Roosevelt's early prop planes to today's highly advanced Boeing jets. Popular Mechanics The president has the sole authority to call for a nuclear strikeUnder current US policy, the president alone can order the use of atomic weapons at any time without requiring prior approval from Congress—a power rooted in the president's role as commander in chief. Business InsiderGeorge Washington set the template for the presidencyAs the first US president, George Washington established key traditions still followed today—forming a Cabinet, serving only two terms, asserting executive independence, and peacefully transferring power—helping define how the presidency would function. George Washington's Mount VernonFaithless electors have never changed the outcome of a US presidential electionOccasionally, Electoral College members vote against their state's popular choice—known as "faithless electors." Though these rare defections have drawn attention and prompted new state laws, none have ever altered the final result of a presidential race. Federalist SocietyHow presidential systems differ from parliamentary governmentsIn presidential systems like the US, the executive and legislature are separately elected, giving presidents fixed terms and independent authority. In parliamentary systems, executives are elected by legislatures and can be removed by a simple vote of no confidence. TDCThe president's powers are defined in Article II of the US ConstitutionArticle II establishes the presidency, outlining powers to command the military, sign or veto legislation, appoint officials, and conduct diplomacy—many of which are intended to be checked by other branches of government. National Constitution CenterJefferson omitted a plan to go beyond the Louisiana Territory in his funding requestIn January of 1803, the president sought $2,500 to fund the expedition (though it likely cost closer to $50,000). The ostensible rationale for the journey was to explore the newly purchased territory, but Jefferson did not mention he wanted Lewis and Clark to go beyond the newly acquired territory for several reasons. HISTORYFamed historian David McCullough on five things to know about the WrightsThe bestselling author of popular, beloved histories on US presidents, engineering feats and disasters published a study of the Wrights in 2015. Here. he highlights five key facts to know about the brothers, including that their efforts were bootstrapped—meaning they paid for their work themselves with no outside investors. Simon & Schuster BooksEleanor Roosevelt's son wrote mystery novels starring his motherElliott Roosevelt wrote 20 novels about a fictional version of his mother, an amateur detective. Titles included "Murder and the First Lady," "The White House Pantry Murder," and "New Deal for Death." Literary HubHawaii lived under martial law for nearly three years after Pearl HarborAfter the attack, Hawaii was placed under sweeping military rule—curfews, censorship, warrantless arrests, ID papers, and mass detentions transformed everyday life. More than 2,000 people were arrested within 48 hours of the attack, and the islands remained under martial law for nearly three years. HISTORYGerman printer Richard Sellmer revived Advent calendars after World War IIAdvent calendar production resumed in 1946, when German printer Richard Sellmer began issuing nostalgic winter-town designs that became classics, later exporting them to the United States. His company still operates today, producing more than 140 varieties. Sellmer AdventskalenderThe world spent up to $600B to avert the Y2K computer glitchEarly computer programmers used a two-digit code to record years rather than four. With the switch in the year 2000 from '99 to '00, analysts feared databases might fail and prompt outages and financial catastrophe. To prepare, governments and businesses spent an estimated $300B to $600B to mitigate the glitch. InvestopediaCentral bank independence is correlated with lower inflation on averageExecutives may seek to influence the central bank to reduce interest rates for political points. Since its creation in the early 20th century, the US' Federal Reserve saw the most interactions from the president during the Nixon and Ford administrations. EconofactThe National Guard serves both state governors and presidentsRoughly 430,000 trained military personnel act as a strategic reserve for the US military, deployed domestically during natural disasters or unrest as well as overseas. It consists of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, overseen at the federal level by the National Guard Bureau. Council on Foreign RelationsZachary Taylor became a national hero during the Mexican-American WarGeneral Zachary Taylor led US forces to key victories in northern Mexico, earning widespread fame for his leadership. His popularity from the war propelled him to the presidency in 1848. American History HitMexico’s political chaos weakened its defense against US invasionMexico’s post-independence instability—marked by coups, power struggles, and weak central control—left its northern frontier vulnerable. That political fragmentation shaped Mexico’s unpreparedness during the Mexican-American War and helped enable US conquest. Indigenous MexicoTeddy Roosevelt’s intervention helped save a brutal early version of footballIn 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt pressured college leaders to reform football amid public outrage over 18 player deaths. His push led to rule changes—like the forward pass—that reduced violence and ensured the sport’s survival. HISTORYGerald Ford is the only president never elected to the officeFord's ascent to the nation's highest office was a direct consequence of the unprecedented political upheaval caused by the Watergate scandal. Initially appointed vice president in October 1973 after Spiro Agnew's resignation, Ford assumed the presidency less than a year later, in August 1974, following Richard Nixon's resignation.
National Constitution Center The Declaration was also a list of grievancesThis article breaks down the Declaration’s 27 grievances against King George III, illustrating how they were intended not only to express colonial anger but also to justify rebellion and garner support abroad. HISTORYIn 2015, FIFA's decades-old bribery network was exposedIn 2015, the US Department of Justice exposed a 24-year bribery network influencing broadcast rights and votes on World Cup host cities. Over 40 officials were indicted for accepting bribes. FIFA implemented several reforms, including term-limits for Presidents and council members and salary disclosures in 2016. VoxHow the S&P 500 performed in the first 100 days of each modern US presidential termThe S&P 500 was up 5.3% during President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office during his first term as president, and down 7.1% during the first 100 days of his second term. Visual CapitalistGeorge Washington was a fan of barbecueThe first US president celebrated laying the cornerstone of the US Capitol by hosting a barbecue, the centerpiece of which was a 500-pound ox. By the 19th century, barbecue was a standard component of public celebrations, including Independence Day and Memorial Day. Obsessive Compulsive BarbecueHow the stock market performed under every US presidentIt's worth noting that the stock market as we know it today didn't exist under the leadership of earlier presidents, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. KiplingerJames Garfield, the first left-handed US presidentThough he was assassinated only four months into his tenure, President James Garfield was a highly respected figure, a professor known for his mastery of several languages, success as a general in the Civil War, and accomplishments in Congress. He was also left-handed, the first southpaw to sit in the Oval Office. Learn more about Garfield's ambidexterity here. HistoryThe US president who had the most childrenJohn Tyler, America’s 10th president, was born in 1790, yet still has one living grandchild. This bizarre phenomenon can be explained by his 15 children, which he had throughout all stages of his adult life. Tyler had eight children with one wife and seven with another, leading him to hold the title as the US president with the most children. Tyler was also the first US president to get married while in office. History FactsTen lesser-known duties of the US presidentThe president of the United States is one of the most powerful positions in the world, but what exactly do they oversee? In addition to the obvious tasks of commanding the military, signing laws, and shaping national policy, this article highlights the lesser-known responsibilities of the American president. Naming national monuments and managing the White House beehive are just a few of the jobs you may be surprised to learn about. ListverseThe history of the White House Hanukkah partyDespite celebrating Christmas for hundreds of years, the US Presidential White House didn't have its first Hanukkah celebration until 1979, when Jimmy Carter oversaw the lighting of a menorah. Since then, the tradition has expanded, including lessons on playing with dreidels and big parties. See a timeline of the events here. Business InsiderThe story of America's first woman presidential candidateThis video guides us through the history of Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for president in the US. Despite the odds being against her, Woodhull experienced extraordinary success as a stockbroker, newspaper founder, and presidential candidate. Watch to learn more about her background, her revolutionary ideas, and her impact on 19th-century politics. Today I Found OutThe Electoral College, explainedThe US presidential election hinges on the Electoral College, not the popular vote—a system created in 1787 as a compromise. Candidates must win 270 of 538 electoral votes, allocated by each state’s congressional representation. 1440What is the Electoral College?US presidential elections are not “majority rules” contests. A complex mechanism underpins them, guided by the Electoral College system established by the Constitution. This US government website offers an overview of that system, which apportions “electors” for each state and requires winning presidential candidates to secure at least 270 Electoral votes on election night. National ArchivesOn the role of 'Citizenship In A Republic'After finishing a Smithsonian-sponsored expedition to East Africa, US President Theodore Roosevelt stopped by Paris and gave a speech about the responsibilities an ordinary citizen has to their republic. Citizens must know there is no effort without error, knowing they "fail while daring greatly" in pursuit of a truly democratic republic. This podcast series on powerful speeches across history is written and narrated by historian and author Jon Meacham. It Was SaidThe central bank was designed to operate free of short-term political influence to prevent the Fed from making disastrous policy decisionsAlthough the Fed Chair and the six other Governors of the Board are appointed by the US president and approved by Congress, the Fed is not funded by congressional appropriation, and its board members are appointed to lengthy 14-year terms. InvestopediaSee the results of all 59 presidential elections from 1789 to 2024This interactive tool lets users explore the outcomes of every US presidential election from George Washington's uncontested 1789 victory through 2024, showing how electoral votes, state results, and shifting coalitions shaped each race. PBS Electoral DecoderExplore a comprehensive archive of US presidential election dataThis University of California, Santa Barbara archive compiles presidential election data from 1789 to the present, including popular vote totals, turnout figures, and contextual resources that explain how the electoral process and political landscape have evolved. The American Presidency ProjectHow the Electoral College actually worksIn settling on the rules for how the US elects presidents, the Founding Fathers coalesced around a system built on two inputs: Votes from individual voters, and the accumulation of votes from specially chosen Electors. The latter comprise the US Electoral College, and this Washington Post article explains why it exists, how it works, and how its 538 electors collectively decide presidential elections. Washington PostThe hidden hallway behind Mount Rushmore and why it’s unfinishedMount Rushmore was designed to be more than a massive monument to US presidents, and its ambitious plans were part of the reason why. This fascinating video explores its backstory, creation, and the hidden tunnel behind President Lincoln's head. YouTube
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