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First ladies hold a unique place in American history. The collection of first ladies' gowns and artifacts remains one of the most popular exhibitions, visited by millions of annual visitors at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C..1 First ladies are the focus of documentaries, podcasts, books, and scholarly works that examine their lives and contributions
Upon stepping into the White House China Room, visitors encounter tableware from nearly every presidential administration or first family. Tucked into one of the impressive glass display cases is a small, porcelain sugar bowl. To many viewers, the bowl may seem like an ordinary piece of White House tableware. But what if a bowl could tell a bigger story? A
The hot Florida sun beat down on a crowd gathered at Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969. As the Apollo 11 mission blasted off and climbed through the blue sky, on its way to land the first astronauts on the moon, a former president stood in the viewing stands. Looking up into the sky, Lyndon Baines Johnson watched intently as a long-awaited and
Nancy Reagan was an iconic First Lady who helped shape the legacy of one of the most consequential presidencies of the 20th century. She was known for the tremendous grace, intelligence, and style that she brought to her role as First Lady and as President Reagan’s most steadfast supporter and admirer. In this episode of the 1600 Sessions, White House Hi
On November 22, 1963, tragedy brought Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson to the White House and thrust her into the national spotlight. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, her husband Lyndon B. Johnson took the Oath of Office aboard Air Force One at Love Field. In the blink of an eye, Lady Bird Johnson became the first lady—a titl
The 2021 First Ladies Symposium was a day-long event, hosted by the White House Historical Association in partnership with American University's First Ladies Initiative. This symposium featured prominent scholars, historians, and professionals who discussed first ladies and gender; first ladies reconsidered; first ladies and communications; and first ladies and their role in historic preservation efforts. This panel features: Stewart D. McLaurin,
The 2021 First Ladies Symposium was a day-long event, hosted by the White House Historical Association in partnership with American University's First Ladies Initiative. This symposium featured prominent scholars, historians, and professionals who discussed first ladies and gender; first ladies reconsidered; first ladies and communications; and first ladies and their role in historic preservation efforts. This panel features: Katherine Malone-France, Chief
The 2021 First Ladies Symposium was a day-long event, hosted by the White House Historical Association in partnership with American University's First Ladies Initiative. This symposium featured prominent scholars, historians, and professionals who discussed first ladies and gender; first ladies reconsidered; first ladies and communications; and first ladies and their role in historic preservation efforts. This panel features: Susan Swain, co-Chief
