1

The numbers behind it

Image: Melo Liu

One could say the White House is a home, but a more accurate description would be "small city." With 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, and six levels, it accommodates everyone from the First Family to visiting dignitaries.

As if that wasn’t enough in terms of numbers, add 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, seven staircases, and three elevators, and you’ve got a place that’s as grand as it is functional. The only number left to wonder about is how many people it takes to clean it! With so much going on, it’s safe to say the White House is always buzzing.

2

From "President’s House" to "The White House"

Image: Saul Rodriguez

Did you know the White House wasn’t always called that? Over the years, it’s been referred to as the "President’s Palace," the "President’s House," and the "Executive Mansion."

But it wasn’t until 1901 that President Theodore Roosevelt made "The White House" the official name. The change reflected a more democratic image, distancing the building from European-style palaces.

3

6,000 visitors a day: A popular destination

Image: Saul Rodriguez

You have probably toured the White House at least once, haven’t you? Well, on any given day, the White House welcomes around 6,000 visitors.

From local and foreign tourists on a guided tour, diplomats, to school groups, the building sees a steady stream of guests. That’s a lot of handshakes, selfies, and security checks! More than power and politics, the charm of the White House lies in the national history it holds.

4

Presidential firsts: Planes, photos, and more

Image: Jainam Sheth

Every president brings something new to the White House, but some have achieved truly historic "firsts."

For example, John Tyler was the first to have his photograph taken. Theodore Roosevelt rode in the first presidential car and became the first president to travel abroad, to Panama. Franklin Roosevelt added air travel to the mix as the first president to fly.

You may be wondering who the first president to live there was, but we’ll cover that fact later in this article!

5

A kitchen built for a crowd

Image: Odiseo Castrejon

We may not know about the cleaning crew, but we do have some facts about the chefs!

There are five full-time chefs in the White House, so the kitchen is ready for any occasion. It can serve dinner to 140 guests or hors d’oeuvres to more than 1,000 people at a time. From state dinners to casual family meals, the kitchen staff handles it all with finesse. Five stars for them, please!

6

Painting the town (or the House) White

Image: Steve Johnson

Keeping the White House pristine is no small task: Can you guess how much paint it takes to cover it? Here’s the answer: It takes a whopping 570 gallons of paint to cover its iconic exterior. This monumental paint job ensures the building remains the picture of elegance and charm. Over the years, this white coat has become a symbol of the presidency itself. Who knew painting could carry so much historical weight? Fun fact: ours is not the only presidential home with a trademark color!

7

Fun and games at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Image: Jay Wennington

When you think of the Executive Mansion, you probably picture people in suits going from one point to another, solving national and international matters, right? Well, that may be true, but the White House isn’t all business; there are some recreational rooms, too.

Residents (which range from the presidential family to diplomats to staff) enjoy a tennis court, jogging track, swimming pool, movie theater, billiard room, and even a bowling lane. Talk about a house with some serious amenities, huh?

8

George Washington never slept here

Image: Kenny Eliason

While George Washington oversaw the creation of the White House, he never got to live in it. The mansion wasn’t completed until 1800, a year after Washington’s death.

So, to answer the question from the "presidential firsts" section, John Adams became the first president to move in, and it’s been the home of every president since. Washington’s influence is still felt, but don’t expect to see his ghost wandering the halls.

9

The White House has survived two fires

Image: Cullan Smith

Well, the title pretty much covers it, right? The White House has faced fire twice in its history.

In 1814, British forces burned it during the War of 1812, though some exterior walls and the famous Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington were saved. Then, on Christmas Eve in 1929, a chimney flue sparked a blaze that gutted parts of the West Wing. President Herbert Hoover even directed firefighting efforts during the chaos. Now, this is proof of its true Americanness: It only came back stronger and taller!

10

Teddy Roosevelt built the West Wing

Image: Srikanta H. U

Teddy Roosevelt is the man behind the West Wing. In 1902, he expanded the White House by adding this now-famous section to house presidential offices.

The project replaced some old conservatories and introduced the colonnaded gallery that connects it to the main residence. Later presidents, like Taft and Franklin Roosevelt, expanded the West Wing further, but it all started with Teddy’s vision. Today, the West Wing is the spinal cord of the presidency as it holds the Oval Office.

1

Apple

Apple Inc. famously started in 1976 in the Los Altos garage of Steve Jobs’ parents. Jobs and Steve Wozniak assembled early versions of the Apple I computer there, selling circuit boards to local computer hobbyists.

What began as a small project between two friends eventually grew into one of the world’s most valuable companies, producing iconic products like the iPhone, Mac, and iPad.

2

Amazon

Amazon began in 1994 when Jeff Bezos launched an online bookstore from the garage of his rented home in Bellevue. Early operations included simple desks and computers connected to the growing internet.

From selling books online, Amazon rapidly expanded into nearly every retail category and eventually became one of the largest e-commerce and cloud computing companies in the world.

3

Google

Google started in 1998 in a garage rented from Susan Wojcicki in Menlo Park. Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin worked there while developing their revolutionary search engine.

Their algorithm dramatically improved how people found information online, and the company quickly grew into a global tech powerhouse that now operates under Alphabet Inc.

4

Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett‑Packard, often called HP, was founded in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard in a small garage in Palo Alto.

Their first product was an audio oscillator used by sound engineers, including early customers at The Walt Disney Company. That modest workspace is now considered the birthplace of Silicon Valley.

5

Disney

The Walt Disney Company traces part of its origin to a garage studio used by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney in the early 1920s in Los Angeles.

Working with minimal equipment, the brothers produced early animated films that would eventually lead to the creation of Mickey Mouse and a global entertainment empire.

6

Harley-Davidson

Harley‑Davidson began in 1903 in a small wooden garage in Milwaukee. Founders William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson built their first motorcycle prototype there.

The company grew steadily and became one of the most iconic motorcycle brands in the world, known for its powerful engines and loyal fan base.

7

Mattel

Mattel began in 1945, when Harold Matson and Elliot Handler started making picture frames in a garage workshop in Los Angeles.

Leftover frame scraps were used to create dollhouse furniture, which became so popular that the company shifted its focus to toys. Mattel would later introduce famous products like Barbie and Hot Wheels.

8

Dell

Dell Technologies was founded by Michael Dell in 1984. While the company began in his college dorm room at the University of Texas at Austin, early operations soon moved into a small garage workspace where computers were assembled and upgraded.

Dell’s direct-to-consumer sales model helped transform the personal computer industry and made the company one of the world’s largest PC manufacturers.

9

Yankee Candle

Yankee Candle began in 1969 when teenager Michael Kittredge II made a homemade candle in his family’s garage in South Hadley as a Christmas gift.

Neighbors wanted to buy the candles, and the small hobby quickly turned into a thriving business. Today, the brand is one of the most recognized names in scented candles.

1

Kool-Aid

Image: Aibek Skakov

Nebraska takes pride in its sweetest invention : Kool-Aid. Created in 1927 in Hastings, the fruity drink became a household favorite. In 1998, Nebraska made it the official state soft drink, much to the delight of nostalgia lovers.

Every August, Hastings hosts the Kool-Aid Days Festival, complete with giant pitchers and endless flavors. The "Kool-Aid Man" himself even made an appearance at the declaration ceremony! Despite some pushback from health advocates, the sugary drink remains an iconic American beverage.

2

Gusty the Cartoon

Image: Afif Ramdhasuma

Oklahoma’s state cartoon character is Gusty , a little weather-forecasting doodle, do you know him? Created by a Tulsa weatherman in the 1950s, Gusty reflected the day’s forecast, holding an umbrella, bracing for tornadoes, or sweating in the heat.

His hand-drawn charm lasted for decades, earning him a place in the Smithsonian. In 2005, Oklahoma made Gusty the official state cartoon character. For Oklahomans, he’s as much a part of the forecast as the storm warnings!

3

Whoopie Pie

Image: Holly Spangler

Maine takes its desserts seriously. So seriously that in 2011, the state named the whoopie pie its official treat . This fluffy confection consists of two chocolate cake rounds sandwiching a creamy white filling.

It’s been a local favorite since the 1920s, though Pennsylvania also claims to have invented it. Maine, however, celebrates its whoopie pie heritage with an annual festival featuring the world’s largest whoopie pie. The origins of the name are debated, but regardless, it’s a nostalgic, delicious bite of history. And yes, it pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee!

4

Tully Monster

Image: Jacqueline Martinez

Illinois’ state fossil sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie: the Tully Monster. This strange, ancient sea creature swam in Illinois’ prehistoric waters about 300 million years ago. Discovered in 1958, its worm-like body, stalked eyes, and pincer-like mouth left scientists scratching their heads for decades.

It wasn’t until 2016 that researchers finally identified it as a vertebrate, possibly related to lampreys, a fish. Named after its discoverer, Francis Tully, this oddball fossil became Illinois’ official state fossil in 1989. How weird is that?

5

Clogging

Image: Ahmad Odeh

Forget the square dance, North Carolina’s official folk dance is clogging , and it’s as energetic as it sounds. This fast-paced footwork evolved from Appalachian traditions and is often performed to bluegrass music.

Clog dancers wear special shoes with taps to create a percussive beat while they move. The style has roots in Irish, English, and African dance, blending cultures into a wonderful American tradition. If you ever visit a North Carolina festival, you’ll likely see folks kicking up their heels to some lively fiddle tunes.

6

Brewer’s Yeast

Image: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Oregon took a microscopic approach to state symbols when it named brewer’s yeast its official microbe in 2013. This tiny fungus, scientifically called Saccharomyces cerevisiae , is the secret behind beer and bread. You like it now, huh?

It ferments sugars, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide, making it essential to Oregon’s craft beer scene. The decision wasn’t just for fun; it’s also that beer contributes billions to the state’s economy. Just to follow the trend, Illinois later named a mold used in penicillin production as its own state microbe. Apparently, microbes deserve their moment in the spotlight, too!

7

Jousting

Image: Casper Johansson

In a move straight out of the Middle Ages, Maryland named jousting its official state sport in 1962. Yes, that jousting you’re thinking of, knights on horseback charging at each other with lances.

While modern jousting is more about precision than knocking opponents off their steeds, it still draws a crowd. Today’s version involves riders aiming to spear small rings while galloping at full speed. Don’t worry, in 2004, lacrosse also became the state’s official team sport, but jousting still holds its title.

8

The Teddy Bear

Image: Izabelly Marques

Mississippi’s official state toy, the teddy bear, has an adorable backstory. It all began in 1902 when President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear during a hunting trip. A political cartoon about the event went viral (for its time), inspiring a Brooklyn couple to create "Teddy’s Bear."

The stuffed animal became a national sensation, and the name stuck. A century later, Mississippi made it official, naming the teddy bear its state toy in 2002. It’s a rare example of a state symbol with a direct presidential connection. But cute anyways!

9

Milk

Image: Anita Jankovic

Believe it or not, 22 states claim milk as their official beverage . But it has nothing to do with keeping the bones strong! This dairy dominance started in the 1980s when milk industry lobbyists pushed for recognition.

While it’s a wholesome, calcium-packed choice, it’s not the most exciting. Some states, like Rhode Island (coffee milk) and Alabama (whiskey), took a more unique approach to the state beverage. Now, whether you drink it or not, milk has certainly made its mark on state symbols. And hey, at least it pairs well with cookies!

10

Natchitoches Meat Pie

Image: Patryk Pastewski

When you think of Louisiana cuisine, you probably think of gumbo or jambalaya, but did you know the state also has an official meat pie ? The Natchitoches meat pie is a deep-fried delight filled with seasoned pork and beef.

It dates back to the late 1700s, and it was named after the local Natchitoches Indian tribe. Declared a state symbol in 2003, it’s celebrated every September at the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival. The festival features music, cooking competitions, and, of course, a meat pie eating contest!