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

The American Revolution against the British Empire

When fighting began in 1775, Britain was the world’s most powerful empire. The colonies had no professional army, little money, and limited supplies . George Washington’s Continental Army often struggled with food shortages, harsh winters, and major defeats during the early years of the war.

The turning point came after the American victory at Saratoga, New York, in 1777, which convinced France to support the colonies. British General Charles Cornwallis finally surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, on October 19, 1781. The Treaty of Paris officially recognized U.S. independence in 1783.

2

Abraham Lincoln won the Civil War after early Union defeats

At the start of the Civil War, the Union suffered humiliating losses, including the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861. Many Americans doubted President Abraham Lincoln’s leadership, while Confederate General Robert E. Lee repeatedly defeated Union forces in Virginia.

Things changed in July 1863, when Union victories at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Vicksburg, Mississippi, shifted momentum . Lincoln’s support for General Ulysses S. Grant helped the North gain control. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865.

3

The Apollo 13 mission’s safe return

Apollo 13 was launched on April 11, 1970, and was supposed to become NASA’s third Moon landing. But two days later, an oxygen tank exploded in space. Astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert suddenly faced freezing temperatures, limited power, and dwindling oxygen .

NASA engineers in Houston worked nonstop to save the crew. The astronauts used the lunar module as a lifeboat and improvised repairs with onboard materials. Against enormous odds, Apollo 13 safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 17, 1970.

4

Economic recovery from the Great Depression

The Great Depression devastated the U.S. after the stock market crash of 1929. By 1933, unemployment had reached nearly 25%, banks were collapsing, and millions of Americans lost homes, jobs, and savings during the worst economic crisis in modern U.S. history.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced New Deal programs aimed at relief and recovery after taking office in March 1933. Public works projects, banking reforms, and job programs slowly helped stabilize the economy . The country eventually emerged stronger during the years leading up to World War II.

5

The 1980 "Miracle on Ice" victory v.s the USSR

During the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, the Soviet hockey team was considered nearly unbeatable . The USSR had dominated international hockey for years, while the young American team consisted mostly of amateur and college players.

On February 22, 1980, the U.S. shocked the world with a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Soviets . Mike Eruzione scored the winning goal, and broadcaster Al Michaels famously asked, "Do you believe in miracles?" The Americans later defeated Finland to win Olympic gold.

6

The Chicago Cubs ending their 108-year World Series drought in 2016

The Chicago Cubs had not won the World Series since 1908, suffering one of the longest championship droughts in sports history. By 2016, generations of fans believed the team was cursed after decades of heartbreaking losses and missed opportunities.

The Cubs fell behind three games to one against Cleveland in the 2016 World Series, but fought back to force Game 7. On November 2, 2016, Chicago won 8-7 in 10 innings after a rain delay, finally ending its 108-year drought

7

The Space Race

The Soviet Union dominated the early Space Race by launching Sputnik in 1957 and sending Yuri Gagarin into orbit in 1961. At the time, many experts believed the U.S. was permanently behind in space technology.

President John F. Kennedy challenged NASA to land a man on the Moon before the decade ended. After years of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969, during Apollo 11.

8

New Orleans’ recovery after Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005 and caused catastrophic flooding in New Orleans after the levees failed. About 80% of the city was flooded, and hundreds of thousands of residents were displaced in one of America’s worst natural disasters.

Recovery took years and required rebuilding homes, schools, roads, and flood protection systems . Despite enormous challenges, New Orleans gradually restored much of its tourism, culture, music scene, and population while continuing to strengthen its storm defenses.

9

The U.S. women’s soccer team in 1999 and 2019

The 1999 U.S. women’s soccer team helped transform women’s sports in America. Facing strong international competition, the Americans defeated China in the Women’s World Cup final before more than 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Twenty years later, the U.S. returned to the top again at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France . Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle scored in a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in Lyon, giving the U.S. its fourth world title.

10

The Boston Red Sox reversing a 0-3 deficit against the Yankees in 2004

In a 2004 American League Championship Series, the Boston Red Sox lost the first three games against their rivals, the New York Yankees. No baseball team had ever recovered from a 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series.

Boston stayed alive after Dave Roberts stole second base in the ninth inning of Game 4. The Red Sox then won four straight games to complete the comeback . They went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals and win their first World Series since 1918.

1

12 years of all tweets

Image: Marten Bjork

If you were an active and public Twitter user between the years 2006 and 2017, guess what? Your words are preserved in the Library of Congress .

The platform’s first twelve years are contained in a digital collection meant as a historical record of a new communications channel. From 2018 onwards, the Library started acquiring only "particularly interesting" tweets.

2

Oddly specific movies, like "Shrek" or "Wall-E"

Image: Denise Jans

The Library preserves film culture through the National Film Registry and other collections.

Recent registry additions have included animated hits such as Shrek , while the Library’s preservation programs and official announcements explain why even mainstream animated features matter as cultural artifacts worth saving. The Registry also contains enduring classics such as Grease , Citizen Kane , and The Wizard of Oz .

3

Specific songs, like "Livin’ La Vida Loca"

Image: Bruno Guerrero

Music enters the Library’s life via the National Recording Registry and the Music Division. Ricky Martin’s "Livin’ La Vida Loca" is one of the recordings the Library has recognized for cultural impact; these entries help posterity understand what particular songs meant to listeners at the time.

Other anthems are also preserved in the collection, like Aretha Franklin’s " Respect " and Journey’s " Don’t Stop Believin. "

4

A moldy wedding cake

Image: gryzoon

A sliver of wedding cake from P.T. Barnum’s era spectacles survives in the Library of Congress’s Manuscript Division as a historical oddity. Donated in the 1950s, it now sits darkened with age and mold.

The cake came from the wedding of Charles Stratton, who was 25 years old and just 35 inches tall at the time. Stratton performed in Barnum’s shows under the name General Tom Thumb, delighting audiences with his song-and-dance routine.

5

A map of the Grand Canyon made of chocolate

Image: Steve Johnson

Yes, that is a real thing. The Geography and Map Division highlights a 1991 topographic map of the Grand Canyon molded in chocolate , made by the Chocolate Topographic Company.

6

What Lincoln was carrying when he died

Image: Engin Akyurt

The Library’s Treasures and related pages describe the modest, deeply human contents found on Abraham Lincoln after he was shot : a silk-lined wallet with newspaper clippings, a Confederate five-dollar bill kept as a curiosity, spectacles, a pocketknife, a handkerchief, and a watch fob, among other everyday items.

7

Locks of hair from Jefferson, Beethoven, and others

Image: benjamin lehman

Why not? The Library’s Manuscript and Music Divisions preserve numerous strands of hair attributed to notable figures : from presidents such as Thomas Jefferson to composers like Ludwig van Beethoven, as well as other cultural icons including Walt Whitman, Clara Barton, and George Washington!

8

Thomas Jefferson’s vanilla ice cream recipe

Image: Colin Fearing

Among Jefferson’s papers, which the Library and Monticello both reproduce and discuss, is his handwritten vanilla ice cream recipe : cream, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla, frozen using ice and salt. A fundamental (and surprisingly delicious) document of history!

9

A precursor of the Monopoly Game (The Office Boy)

Image: Kathy Marsh

Monopoly’s genealogy includes several predecessors. Most famously, Elizabeth Magie’s 1904 The Landlord’s Game is the well-documented precursor.

Other commercial board games , such as Parker Brothers’ The Office Boy (an 1889 Horatio Alger–style career game), along with various moral and occupational boards, helped shape the emerging mass-market game industry that ultimately produced Monopoly .