Analyses and Commentary

Four presidents have birthdays in February: George Washington ( the 22nd), Wm. Henry Harrison (9th), Abraham Lincoln (12th), and Ronald Reagan (6th). To recall why observers hold Washington and Lincoln in such high regard, consider Washington's Farewell Address and Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address.

The table below includes APP documents issued by US President upon the death of a predecessor.  Practices have evolved substantially.

The earliest observances (see J. Q. Adam's 1826 Order noting the death of Thomas Jefferson) called primarily for members of the military to mark the event.  These practices included wearing mourning crape on their left arms for six months; troops parading and firing cannon; and placing the flag at half-staff for one day.

How different are Trump Administration press Secretary Sarah Sanders's press briefings?  Recently, The Washington Post presented both an analysis and an editorial critical of Sanders' briefings.  The

President Trump addressed one commencement ceremony in 2018—at the Naval Academy.  The speech marked the 15^th time a president spoke at the Naval Academy--the all-time leading destination for Presidents giving commencement addresses.

Starting with Truman, every president has made at least one commencement address in the second year after winning election.  George H. W. Bush set the record with 5 in 1980.  Obama was runner-up with 4 in 2010. 

Presidents starting at least with Harry Truman, have met with "Girls Nation" delegates at the White House. Often the President's remarks turned to the future careers of the young women in the group. John Kennedy surmised that, "it may not be possible for you to be President." But, he added, "I am sure we are talking to a future First Lady."