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U.S. Presidents ‑ Stories

America’s Founding Fathers decided that one elected civilian—the U.S. president—would lead the executive branch of the federal government, a governmental structure that has remained in place for more than 200 years.

President Richard Nixon sitting at a big table signing a document while two Native American people stand to the side, looking on.

Native Americans Had a Surprising Ally: Richard Nixon

After centuries of devastating government policies, American Indians had someone in the White House willing to return tribal land, listen to grievances—and support their autonomy.

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John Nance Garner and FDR

Odd Couples: 4 Surprising Presidential‑VP Pairings

These candidates from seemingly opposing ends of the political spectrum were paired (or nearly paired) on a single ticket for the White House.

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Franklin D. Roosevelt seated behind a microphone

7 of FDR’s Most Inspiring Speeches

Roosevelt, known as ‘the great communicator,’ used his speeches and fireside chats to calm Americans’ fears during depression and war—and to rally them around his policies.

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John F. Kennedy

The Health Problems JFK Hid From the Public

From regular infections to excruciating back pain, JFK contended with a range of physical challenges before and during his time in the White House.

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Franklin Roosevelt sitting at his desk, looking pensively to the side

FDR’s Presidency: 6 Controversies

One of America’s most revered presidents, Roosevelt also had his share of missteps—from trying to pack the Supreme Court to incarcerating Japanese Americans.

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Government official in suit sitting at a desk signing a document, as a group of men in Indian clothing and headdresses stand behind him.

What Was FDR’s ‘Indian New Deal’?

An economic relief program aimed specifically at helping Native American communities during the Great Depression, the legislation marked a sharp U‑turn in federal policy toward Indigenous peoples.

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Family portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt with wife Eleanor and their young children, with parents sitting and children standing

FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt’s Children: Who Were They?

Franklin Roosevelt’s children offered physical, emotional and political support throughout his presidency.

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Formal portrait of a teenaged F.D.R. in a suit and tie, with a serious expression on his face

Inside FDR’s Isolated Childhood—and Privileged Upbringing

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s formative years instilled in him the empathy, optimism and stoicism that marked his presidency.

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President Warren G. Harding.

The Multiple Scandals of President Warren G. Harding

Hush money to mistresses, secret payments for an out‑of‑wedlock child and far‑reaching corruption tainted the 29th president’s legacy.

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President Franklin D. Roosevelt is shown sitting at a table behind a crowded group of news microphones wiping his mouth with a handkerchief during his reporting to the House of Representatives on the 'Big Three' conference in Yalta.

Inside FDR’s Lifelong Health Struggles—And His Sudden Death

Roosevelt endured persistent physical challenges—including paralysis and heart issues—that were largely shielded from the American public.

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Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Mary Bethune Visit George Washington Carver HallEleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune are visiting George Washington Carver Hall, a men's dormitory for blacks. Washington, D.C., May 1943. | Location: George Washington Carver Hall, Washington, D.C., USA. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

What Was the Role of FDR’s ‘Black Cabinet’?

Led by Mary McLeod Bethune, this informal network of advisors was the first group to press for civil rights from within the federal government.

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White House. (Credit: Bettmann/Getty Images)

7 US Presidents With the Shortest Stints in the Oval Office

Sudden illnesses, assassinations and elections all abbreviated these presidents’ terms in office.

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