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Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson revived the tradition of the oral State of the Union address (1913)

Woodrow Wilson’s 1913 State of the Union

The last State of the Union was in 1800 by our second president, John Adams. Thomas Jefferson began the tradition of passing along the state of the union in writing to Congress, allegedly because he felt he was an inadequate...
Woodrow Wilson stands in the front of a convertible automobile stopped in the intersection of what was then N and Union Streets SW. Wilson, the driver of the car, and two woman in the back look east at something happening on N Street. A crowd gathered under a tree near the car and people in front of 485 N Street also look in the same direction. Two Secret Service agents look at the photographer. Written on the reverse is "Barney Neighborhood House, 470 N Street SW." Wilson had only been President of the US for two months when the photo was taken.

President Woodrow Wilson Visits Southwest in 1913

Here is an old photo from May of 1913, showing Woodrow Wilson in a car, driving around Southwest D.C. Source: Dig DC
President Wilson and his Cabinet

Administration Secrecy Gives Rise to Anxiety and False Reports (1913)

Interesting, and yet things never change. I don’t know if that makes you feel better or worse … but, here’s an article written in The Washington Post, exactly 100 years ago today. This article speaks to the same frustrations many express...
bible advertisement in the Washington Herald (January 10th, 1918)

The President’s Own Message on the Bible

Separation of church and state? We’ve always had issues in this country. Check out this advertisement from 1918. Source: Library of Congress
D. Mullany's Saloon at 14th and E St. NW in 1913

Lost History: D. Mullany’s Saloon

We’re trying out a new category called “Lost History” today. We spent a good part of the weekend reading James Goode’s excellent (and depressing) book Capital Losses, and wanted to feature some more lost history of D.C. Our first post is...
The Washington Herald on January 17th, 1913

January 17th, 1913: President-Elect Wilson Bans Inaugural Ball

Going to an Inaugural Ball this weekend? The austerity of Obama’s second mirrors the desires articulated by newly elected President Woodrow Wilson. Take a look at the front page of the Washington Herald on Friday, January 17th, 1913, exactly 100...

Counting Electoral College Votes in 1917

This is another great photo, again from the Library of Congress. The caption states that it is the counting of electoral votes for the 1916 Presidential Election, in which Woodrow Wilson beat Charles Hughes. I’m unclear why this count would...
Woodrow Wilson in White House

Film Footage of Woodrow Wilson in the White House

This is pretty interesting. Check out this footage of President Wilson at the White House. Related articles Origins of the Political Ad: Woodrow Wilson’s 1912 Campaign Film (pbs.org) Video: Wilson, Harding and a Nation Pay Respect to the Unknown Soldier...
Washington National Cathedral at twilight

Three Things That Happened at Washington National Cathedral

Exactly one year ago today, one of the most spectacular buildings in Washington was badly damaged by the earthquake that shook our city. So much so, that the repairs are going to cost millions of dollars and keep it under...
1914 Raush & Lang electric vehicle (Smithsonian)

U.S. House Bans Joy Rides in Government Automobiles

Amid the implosion of yet another DC council member this week (what part of public trust don’t you guys understand?), it’s only apropos to post a story like this. Sadly, our outrage is not something unique, as contemporary public officials are...
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