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

Roswell Incident

In June 1947, a rancher in Roswell, New Mexico, found strange metallic debris in a field. Soon after, military personnel from a neighboring air base gathered all the evidence and announced they had recovered a flying disc . The following day, however, they retracted their statement, claiming instead that the debris was part of a weather balloon — and suspicions of a conspiracy were born

Years later, government officials stated that the balloon story had been a cover, but there are still disputes about what actually happened. Military sources have since said the balloon was part of a program to detect Soviet nuclear weapons , but the contradicting stories have led many to believe that we don’t know the whole truth about the incident.

2

Washington, D.C. UFO Incident

In July 1952, a series of UFO sightings in Washington, D.C., was reported over two consecutive weekends near the White House and the Capitol. These objects were seen visually by pilots and air traffic controllers, and they were also tracked by radar.

Though the air force deployed jets to intercept the UFOs, the pilots reported that these objects had incredible speed and that they were easily outmaneuvered. The incident sparked attention from the media, which led President Truman to create the Robertson Panel, a scientific committee dedicated to investigating UFO sighting reports.

3

Cash–Landrum incident

In December 1980, Betty Cash and Vickie Landrum, alongside Landrum’s grandson, spotted what they initially thought was an airplane near Dayton, Texas, but was actually a diamond-shaped object, emitting a bright light and hovering near the ground . After getting out of their vehicle to inspect the object, they returned to the car to find it was extremely hot to the touch.

After the alleged UFO left, Cash and Landrum claimed to have seen a military aircraft following it. The three of them experienced burns, nausea, and other symptoms similar to those of radiation sickness , and Cash spent a month hospitalized. The government denied any involvement in the situation, but many investigators and researchers believe this could have been a secret military experiment.

4

The Westchester Boomerang

From 1983 to 1984, residents of Hudson Valley in New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut reported the appearance of large objects that emitted bright lights , flying in a circle or V-shaped formation.

The police later claimed that these were actually a group of Cessna 152s from a neighboring town , and the alleged pilots expressed their amusement at the confusion. However, witnesses claimed that the flying objects could not have been small aircraft, as they made no sound and were able to hover in one spot for extended periods of time.

5

Travis Walton incident

On November 5, 1975, Travis Walton, a logger working in Heber, Arizona, was reported missing by his crew. They claimed that, returning from work, they had stopped because they saw an unusual light. Walton had walked into the forest following it and had been struck by a beam . Afraid that he had died, his companions fled and alerted the police, but Walton was not found despite intense searches.

Five days later, Walton appeared in Heber, confused and disoriented. He claimed to have been abducted by humanoid aliens, who kept them in their aircraft . He and other witnesses passed the lie detector test, but many people believed the incident was an elaborate hoax.

6

Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting

In June 1947, Kenneth Arnold, a pilot flying near Mount Rainier in Washington State, reported sighting of several flying objects, which he believed were experimental military aircraft. After an investigation by military officials, they found several witnesses who reported sightings at a similar time and location to Arnold.

Arnold described these aircraft as round objects that moved as a "saucer would if you skipped it across the water". The popularity of the story, the first UFO sighting after World War II, first popularized the term "flying saucer."

7

Stephenville, Texas sighting

Residents of Stephenville, Texas, reported in January 2008 that they had seen a massive flying object, moving at high speed and emitting lights. The witnesses, including a pilot and a police officer, claimed the object was up to a mile long and made no sound.

Though the U.S. Air Force initially denied having planes in the area , they later explained that training maneuvers for 10 F-16 jets had been conducted; this contradiction sparked rumors of a classified military aircraft.

8

Marfa Lights, Texas

One of the oldest alleged sightings in America, the first record of the Marfa lights dates back to 1883. These light orbs appear sporadically on the horizon, and their color varies between blue, red, and white. Appearing around 30 times a year, the Marfa lights can still be seen to this day.

Scientists have tried to explain these appearances as an atmospheric phenomenon similar to a mirage, or the reflection of car lights from a highway, but they have failed to reach a definite conclusion. Marfa has become a popular destination for UFO aficionados , which has led the Texas Department of Transportation to build a dedicated viewing area.

9

Japan Airlines Cargo Flight 1628

On November 17, 1986, the crew of a Japanese cargo plane claimed to have been followed by three flying objects —one massive and two smaller ones— as they flew over Anchorage, Alaska. Media outlets reported that these objects had been captured on a military radar, but government officials later discredited the claims.

After landing in Anchorage, the crew was interviewed by the FBI and the CIA, who allegedly confirmed a radar sighting. However, the agencies have since denied that the meeting ever took place.

10

USS Nimitz "Tic Tac" incident

In November 2004, jet pilots from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier reported encountering a ‘tic tac-shaped’ object with remarkable flying capabilities. Besides the eyewitnesses, the object was captured by the jets’ cameras and tracked by the radar of another aircraft carrier for two weeks.

The videos were classified until 2020, when they were released by the Pentagon after a series of reports by the New York Times . Though several theories have been postulated, there is no official explanation for this incident.

1

Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi

One could say that the "Cola Wars" began in the early 1900s, but in all truth, they exploded during the TV ad boom of the 1970s and 1980s . Both brands poured millions into marketing, celebrity endorsements, and taste-test campaigns.

While Pepsi tried to appear youthful and rebellious, Coke leaned on its classic Americana image. Everyone has a favorite. Which one is yours?

Image: Declan Sun

2

McDonald’s vs. Burger King

Since the 1950s, these two massive burger chains have fought to define the American fast-food experience. McDonald’s boasted consistency and golden arches recognized worldwide, while Burger King prided itself on flame-grilled flavor .

Each tried to outdo the other with catchy slogans and mascots. Even today, "Have it your way" and "I’m lovin’ it" can be heard and seen from locations all over the world.

Image: P Kara

3

Hatfields vs. McCoys

In the hills along the border between Kentucky and West Virginia, two families embarked on a bloody feud after the Civil War. What began as a dispute over land and livestock transformed into years of violence and revenge .

The feud became a national symbol of rural grudges and lawlessness. Thankfully, today, descendants have made peace.

Image: Kelly Sikkema

4

Democrats vs. Republicans

Since the 19th century, America’s two main political parties have clashed over nearly everything : economics, social policy, and even the role of government itself. Their competition defines national elections.

Though the issues evolve, the rivalry remains constant. Campaign slogans change, but the fight for America’s political throne never ends.

Image: Zoshua Colah

5

Ford vs. Chevrolet

In garages and racetracks across the country, Ford and Chevy fans have argued for generations . From muscle cars to pickup trucks, their rivalry helped shape the American auto identity.

Each brand claimed better performance, style, or reliability. "Built Ford Tough" and "Like a Rock" became slogans that shaped the automobile industry in America.

Image: Dimitri Karastelev

6

Apple vs. Microsoft

Two tech titans named Steve Jobs and Bill Gates , fought for control of the personal computer revolution for decades. Microsoft’s software dominated offices, while Apple excelled in design and innovation .

Their contrasting visions fueled decades of progress and shaped modern computing. Today, the rivalry continues in phones, tablets, and the cloud.

Image: Sahej Brar

7

Nike vs. Adidas

What began as a sneaker battle grew into a global pop culture competition . Nike’s swoosh symbolized American innovation, while Adidas built on European craftsmanship and sport heritage.

Athletes, rappers, and fashion icons fueled the feud. From basketball courts to runways, the feud is very much alive and well.

Image: Malia Moore

8

Yankees vs. Red Sox

Baseball’s most storied rivalry dates back to 1919, when Boston sold Babe Ruth to New York . The "Curse of the Bambino" haunted Red Sox fans for generations.

Decades of heartbreak and dramatic comebacks ensued, and the fans make sure to keep it that way, at least for the fun of it.

Image: Sudan Ouyang

9

Hamilton vs. Burr

In the early days of the country, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s political rivalry turned into personal hatred. Their ideological clashes came to a head in 1804.

They met for a duel in New Jersey, where Hamilton was fatally shot . The tragic encounter became one of early America’s defining stories.

Image: Florian Herzog

10

Elvis Presley vs. The Beatles

When The Beatles first came to America in the 1960s, f ans drew lines between the King of Rock ’n’ Roll and the Fab Four . Each represented a cultural moment and a musical evolution.

Though they met once, their contrasting styles symbolized changing generations, and the fictitious rivalry was fueled by the fans.

Image: Max Kukurudziak

11

Edison vs. Tesla

The famous "War of Currents" placed inventor Thomas Edison’s direct current against Nikola Tesla’s alternating current . Both dreamed of lighting up America, but only one system could win.

Their competition sparked demonstrations, smear campaigns, and innovation. In the end, Tesla’s AC prevailed, but Edison’s legacy lives to this day.

Image: Alex Haney

12

Lakers vs. Celtics

For a long time, the NBA’s biggest rivalry has crossed coasts and generations. The Celtics dominated the early years, while the Lakers reigned in more recent decades.

From Russell vs. Chamberlain to Magic vs. Bird, their clashes created unforgettable moments in basketball history.