Hello & welcome to another GK nugget.
It’s the start of a week that will define the next 4
years and possibly the future of not just one of the most powerful countries in
the world, but the entire world.
That’s right, America goes to vote on Tuesday
8th November to decide whether Melania Trump becomes the First Lady
or Bill Clinton returns to the White House, albeit this time as the First
Gentleman (1st time in history). (Though some say that as per
protocol a former President is always referred to as “President So – and – so”.
So, if Hillary wins, there’ll be 2 President Clintons in the White House –
another 1st. Formally, though, they would be introduced as "The
President of the United States and President Clinton”).
There’s been a lot said & written about these 2
candidates and many wish that Barack Obama could continue for another 4 years.
But the US Congress passed the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution
in 1947 that limited a US President to run for only 2 terms.
Here’s some more trivia about the American Presidents and
the Presidential race.
US Presidential elections are held on the Tuesday
immediately after the first Monday in November (this does not mean the
"first Tuesday" in a month because the first day of a month can be a
Tuesday). The earliest possible date is November 2, and the latest possible
date is November 8 (as it is for the 2016 election).
But why a Tuesday & why November? Well, America was a
predominantly agrarian society and November was the quietest time for rural
workers. Voting on Tuesday allowed people living in rural areas time to travel
to towns and cities to vote, removing the need to travel on a Sunday.
The terms for the President & Vice- President begins when
they will be sworn in on 20th January 2017.
Ever wonder why the Secret Service has a code name for
the President? It started at a time when communication wasn’t encrypted &
the code name was used to maintain a shroud of secrecy. But now it is used
because it is easier to pronounce, clearly audible & quicker to say.
But the secret service does not pick the code name. The
names are chosen by the White House Communications Agency & on being
elected, the president is given a list of approved words, and can choose their
codename from there.
Codenames are used for the First Family as well & begin
with the same letter as that of the President’s codename. Barack Obama is
called “Renegade”, Michelle Obama is “Renaissance” & their daughters Malia
and Sasha are "Radiance" and "Rosebud," respectively.
If Hillary Clinton gets elected, she & the Clinton family
will continue to use their codenames from Bill Clinton’s Presidency – “Evergreen”
for Hillary, “Eagle” for Bill & “Energy” for Chelsea Clinton.
Donald Trump is currently referred to as “Mogul” &
his wife Melania as “Muse”.
Here’s some facts from Presidential History:
George Washington was the only American president to be
unanimously elected.
The White House was so named in 1901 by Theodore
Roosevelt. Prior to that it was known as the President’s Palace, President’s
House & Executive Mansion.
Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only American president to
be elected four times. After his service, the 22nd Amendment limited the
presidential office to two terms.
"First Lady" was used first in 1849 when
President Zachary Taylor called Dolley Madison "First Lady" at her
state funeral.
Richard Nixon is the only U.S. president to resign.
John F. Kennedy was the youngest American elected
president and the youngest to die in office.
That’s all on this weekend’s GK Nugget. Hope you enjoyed
it, and keep your eyes & ears open for Wednesday by when we should have a
confirmation on the 45th President of the United States of America.
P.S.: - From this weekend on, I’ll be publishing the GK
Nugget every fortnightly. So, you’ll hear from me again on 19th
November. Thank you for all your support & kind words of encouragement.
