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Allen F. Richardson's avatar

With a new president-elect due to (re-) occupy the White House next January, it's interesting to note that Clavin quotes the building's first occupant, John Adams, as saying that: "May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof." So far, at least part of that blessing has remained true--only men have been elected to the presidency. Interestingly, after the British burned the house to the ground during the War of 1812, and it had to be completely rebuilt, there was little recognition of Adams' hopes until FDR had the second president's saying carved into the mantel piece in the State Dining Room.

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