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

A searing summer

Image: Stacey Martin

1936 North American Heat Wave (July 4, 1936)

During one of the worst periods in American history, the Great Depression, a relentless heat wave scorched much of the country, pushing temperatures to unprecedented highs that still haven’t been surpassed in many places.

The heat wave is blamed for more than 5,000 deaths, widespread crop failures, and worsening the environmental disaster already unfolding in the Dust Bowl.

2

Dust blizzard

Image: Bernd Dittrich

Black Sunday Dust Storm (April 14, 1935)

One of the most extreme dust storms in U.S. history, Black Sunday was emblematic of the Dust Bowl era. In April 1935, a massive "blizzard" of dust struck the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles and beyond, displacing an estimated 300,000 tons of topsoil and blackening the sky for miles.

The event devastated agriculture, displaced entire communities, and became a defining symbol of the environmental collapse that had been unfolding across the Great Plains for years.

3

The king of tornadoes

Image: Greg Johnson

2013 El Reno tornado (May 31, 2013)

This tornado set a record for width, possibly the widest ever documented in the U.S . On May 31, 2013, it expanded to a staggering 2.6 miles wide as it barreled south of El Reno, Oklahoma.

Doppler radar recorded sub‑vortices with wind speeds near 295 mph—among the highest ever observed—though damage assessments limited its official rating to EF‑3.

4

Straight‑line fury

Image: Moody Potato

2020 Midwest Derecho (Aug 10, 2020)

Beyond the challenges of COVID‑19, the 2020s were marked by an unusually destructive inland windstorm in the Midwest—rare for both its intensity and impact.

This derecho raced 770 miles across multiple states with wind gusts up to 140 mph, causing widespread structural and agricultural damage. To date, it remains the costliest thunderstorm event in U.S. history, with damages totaling more than US $11 billion.

5

Tornado armageddon

Image: Greg Johnson

2011 Super Outbreak (April 25, 2011)

The 2011 Super Outbreak—ominously nicknamed "Tornado Armageddon"—stands as one of the deadliest and most widespread multi-tornado events in U.S. history.

Over four relentless days, nearly 500 tornadoes tore through dozens of states ; April 27 alone claimed 316 lives. Overall damage surpassed $10.2 billion, cementing it as the costliest tornado outbreak ever recorded in the United States.

6

A storm to remember

Image: Patino Jhon

1993 Storm of the Century (March 12, 1993)

The massive nor’easter known as the Storm of the Century blanketed the eastern U.S. from March 12–14, 1993, permanently reshaping how winter storms are understood.

It delivered record snowfall—up to 56 inches in some areas—hurricane‑force winds, and sub‑zero temperatures, an entire arsenal packed into one deadly system. The destruction stretched from Canada to the Caribbean, causing $5.5 billion in damages and cutting power to more than 10 million households.

7

Wrath of the Mississippi

Image: Jonathan Ford

Great Flood of 1993 (April – October, 1993)

One of the most prolonged and costly inland floods in U.S. history, the Great Flood of 1993 resulted from record rainfall—over 40 inches in some areas—falling on already saturated soils from a wet fall and heavy snowmelt, overwhelming the Mississippi and Missouri River basins.

Between April and October, roughly 30,000 square miles were inundated across multiple states . At least 38–50 people died, damages reached $12–16 billion, and entire towns were submerged as levees failed and transportation networks collapsed.

8

Superstorm devastation

Image: NASA

Hurricane Sandy (October 22, 2012)

Also known as "Superstorm Sandy," this vast hybrid hurricane–extratropical storm struck the U.S. East Coast in October 2012, impacting 24 states. Its massive wind field— spanning nearly 1,000 miles —drove catastrophic storm surge into New Jersey and New York, while heavy rain, coastal flooding, and even blizzard conditions affected regions as far inland as the Appalachians.

Sandy claimed 160 lives, left over 8 million customers without power, and destroyed or damaged tens of thousands of homes and businesses. It was one of the costliest storms in American history and prompted major reforms in coastal preparedness and infrastructure.

9

Freshwater fury

Image: Matthew Rumph

Great Lakes Storm of 1913 (November 6, 1913)

From November 6–10, 1913, a massive winter storm swept across the Great Lakes region, bringing hurricane‑force winds and blizzard conditions . Ships capsized and sank, coastal towns were battered, and waves overwhelmed harbors across the lakes.

It remains the deadliest and most destructive natural disaster to strike the Great Lakes, with over 250 fatalities and catastrophic damage to maritime traffic and shoreline communities.

10

Whiteout chaos

Image: Zac Durant

The Great Blizzard of 1888 (March 11, 1888)

One of the most legendary winter storms in U.S. history, the Great Blizzard of 1888 struck the Northeast from March 11–14, dumping up to 55 inches of snow in parts of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey . Snowdrifts buried homes, streets, and rail lines for days.

The storm killed more than 400 people and brought major cities like New York and Boston to a standstill. Telegraph lines collapsed, rail travel ground to a halt, and entire neighborhoods were cut off, prompting a long-term shift toward underground utilities and the expansion of subway systems in the decades that followed.

1

Fact: Presidents can drive

Image: Jessica Furtney

It sounds fun to imagine the president taking the wheel for a spin around town, right? Maybe a quiet drive to clear their head or grab a meal in secret behind the tinted glass. But can they really do that?

2

Answer: False

Image: Rolando Garrido

Presidents haven’t been allowed to drive on public roads since Lyndon B. Johnson, but they can still enjoy a little time behind the wheel inside fenced areas like Camp David or their own ranch. George W. Bush often drove around his property in Texas, with the Secret Service keeping a close watch, of course!

3

Fact: Presidents can’t attend their kids’ plays or games

Image: Philip White

Yes, we know presidential tasks are of utmost importance, but we can all agree family moments matter just as much, even in the White House. So, do you think the president can really attend a school play or a kid’s soccer game?

4

Answer: True

Image: Ludo Poiré

It’s true, they can’t unless it’s under very controlled conditions . Public outings cause too much security chaos, so these events usually happen privately. Some presidential kids even had classrooms right inside the White House so their parents could drop in for a visit without turning it into a national operation.

5

Fact: Presidents can open the windows whenever they want

Image: Da-shika

Opening a window is one of the most innocent acts one can carry out, and surely, after long meetings and speeches, a little fresh air would be nice. Can the president roll down a window in the White House or a car?

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Answer: False

Image: Gabriele Proietti Mattia

That simple act is off-limits for security reasons , of course. Michelle Obama once said her security team gave her a five-minute "window treat" on a drive to Camp David, and it felt like freedom. The rest of the time, those windows stay shut tight.

7

Fact: Presidents can’t use commercial airlines

Image: Shutr

You know Air Force One is specifically designed for the President, and you also know that every president travels constantly , but can they ever hop on a regular American Airlines flight like the rest of us?

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Answer: True

Image: avid Lusvardi

They absolutely can’t fly commercial, but they do take plenty of flights on Air Force One and Marine One. These aircraft are packed with communication systems , security measures, and comfort most travelers can only dream about. It’s safe to say they don’t miss boarding lines.

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Fact: Presidents can use regular gadgets from the store

Image: Azwedo L.LC

Whoever the president is, when they get to the White House, they already have a phone. So, they must be able to use regular phones . Or, for example, a brand-new iPhone or tablet seems harmless enough. Surely the president can pick one up and start scrolling. Do you think this is true or false?

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Answer: False

Image: Eirik Solheim

Standard devices aren’t secure enough. Presidents use specially modified versions that can’t be hacked. Barack Obama had a limited-access BlackBerry, and Joe Biden’s smartwatch and the Peloton were both customized for safety. Even the leader of the free world has tech limits.

11

Fact: Presidents can block people on social media

Image: Swello

Alright, so a new president is in office, and they get a brand new secure phone. But with millions of online followers, it must be tempting to block a few loud voices . Surely the president has that right.

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Answer: False

Image: Daniel Romero

Nope. A federal court decided that official social media accounts are public forums , which means blocking users violates the First Amendment. Presidents have to let everyone speak their mind, even if the comments section gets a little rowdy.