1978: NOAA announces gender-neutral hurricane naming system
Federal News Network presents a daily update of important moments in the history of the U.S. government.
On March 4, 1829, Andrew Jackson upheld an inaugural tradition begun by Thomas Jefferson for an open house at the White House. After his swearing-in ceremony and address to Congress, Jackson returned to the White House to meet and greet a flock of politicians, celebrities and citizens. Very shortly, the crowd swelled to more than 20,000 and the place erupted in chaos. Some guests stood on furniture in muddy shoes while others rummaged through rooms looking for the president, breaking dishes, crystal and grinding food into the carpet along the way. White House staff reported the carpets smelled of cheese for months afterward. Partygoers were lured out of the building washtubs full of juice and whiskey on the lawn. Surprisingly, this was not the last open house — the tradition stopped in 1885, after multiple assassination attempts increased security fears.
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