November 1, 2012 - Today in History

Today was an interesting day in history. This was the first day that the White House was occupied by a president. Construction began and the cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1792. President Washington oversaw the construction but he never lived in it. On November 1, 1800, when the White House was nearly complete, President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved in. The White House survived a fire in 1814 and another fire in the West Wing in 1929. It has 6 levels with 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms. There are 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and 3 elevators. Today also marks the establishment of the National Weather Service and the invention of the hockey mask (in 1959). It is also National Deep Fried Clams Day and National Vinegar Day - which kind of go together. Of course, this day in 2012 is made interesting by all the new book titles that await you at the bottom of this column. Scroll your eyes down the page and enjoy!