http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-952806.mp3
Now that we have your attention…it’s time for another romp through history in honor of this weekend’s big President’s Day Holiday. It’s a day to pay tribute to those brave men who served their country, and to enjoy deep discounts on furniture and appliances that honor their memory.
Record Bin Roulette takes this occasion to review the popular music Presidents have chosen for their formal celebrations. The biggest, baddest of all is the Inaugural Ball.
Inaugural Balls have humble beginnings, but thanks in part to the powerful White Tie and Tuxedo lobbyists, the numbers of Presidential Balls have swollen to double digits.
At the very first Inaugural Ball in 1789, George and Martha Washington danced a minuet, or maybe only half a minuet, because by that time they were worn out. By the time of Clinton’s inauguration in 1997, it took fully 14 balls to satisfy the teeming masses. Bill and Hillary spent exactly 4 minutes at each ball, and 7 hours driving between them, stopping at times at McDonalds for fries.
Music at the balls has included songs from the great American tradition-- from “Yankee Doodle Dandy” to “Aura Lee” to “Home on the Range”, “Shake Your Groove Thing”, and the immortal “Electric Slide”.
This Monday, President’s Day, government offices, courts, schools, libraries, banks and post offices will be closed, and discounts of as much as 40% will be common from sea to shining sea.
POP QUIZ
1. Who besides Grant is buried in Grant’s Tomb?
- 7th Cavalry Regiment
- His pet cat, Old Ironsides
- His wife, Julia
- Washington Irving
2. How much did President William Howard Taft weigh?
- 27 stone
- 294 pounds and 3 shillings
- 3 times a day
- I say, that’s a rather personal question, sir.
3. Which U.S. President began each day with a shot of bourbon?
- Mallard Fillmore
- Harry Truman
- Irving Washington
- All of the above
Extra Credit
- Name 4 of the 5 Presidents on Mount Rushmore, in alphabetical order, starting with the tallest.
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Answers: 1 (c) , 2(d), 3 (b)
Abraham, Teddy, Zeppo, Grover and Grumpy