Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota

The Unlikely Reason Why Mount Rushmore Exists

Mount Rushmore has been controversial since its inception. Its designer, Gutzon Borglum, wanted to communicate a particular vision of American history.
Roosevelt Family 1903

Alice Roosevelt: The Original First Kid

Alice Roosevelt set the tone for a more public first kid and laid the foundation for post-White-House activism like Chelsea Clinton’s.
Macron, Trudeau, Trump

How Charisma Makes Leaders Great

It's easy to write off charisma as a superficial quality. Yet, studies have proven that charisma is in fact an integral element of good leadership.
JFK with Caroline on the Honey Fitz (presidential yacht), 1963

The Ideological Slipperiness of the Kennedy Legacy

Politicians from both sides of the aisle have sought to stake a claim to the evocative power of the Kennedy legend. What is it about Camelot?
Donald Trump golf resort

What Does Trump’s Golfing Reveal about His Personality?

It’s been noted that Donald Trump has been playing a lot of golf since becoming president. Can his habit be explained by his "sky-high extroversion?"
Nixon and Daniel Patrick Moynihan

When “Welfare Reform” Meant Expanding Benefits

50 years ago, Republican politicians proposed, and sometimes won, welfare reform programs that were actually more comprehensive.
Ronald Reagan 1982

Ronald Reagan, The First Reality TV Star President

Ronald Reagan is at the heart of the modern American politics of advertising, public relations, and a television in every home.
JFK congress speech

How JFK’s World View Shaped His Presidency

On the 100th anniversary of the birth of John F. Kennedy, let's examine his world view as President in the middle of the Cold War.
Woodrow Wilson 1912

Woodrow Wilson, Mental Health, and the White House

The historical debate about the nature of Woodrow Wilson's health is intertwined with questions about his self-righteous character.
Andrew Jackson

Was Andrew Jackson Really a States’ Rights Champion?

On the 250 anniversary of Andrew Jackson's birth, a look at his squashing of the first great nullification crisis in American history.