Clinton or Trump? Who's it going to be!

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 8^th 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 (1^st 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 1^st. 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 22^nd 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 20^th 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 45^th 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 19^th November. Thank you for all your support & kind words of encouragement.