The rule against wearing pantsuits in the White House dates back to Mamie Eisenhower, the wife of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mamie, who served as First Lady from 1953 to 1961, reportedly disapproved of pantsuits, finding them, in her words, “too manly” for women to wear. As a result, female staff members in the White House avoided wearing pantsuits during Mamie’s tenure, preferring more feminine attire such as dresses and skirts. This tradition continued for many years, with future First Ladies such as Betty Ford and Barbara Bush also avoiding pantsuits in the White House. It wasn’t until Michelle Obama, the wife of former President Barack Obama, served as First Lady that the trend against pantsuits in the White House began to shift. Michelle, known for her fashion sense, frequently wore pantsuits in the White House, breaking with tradition and inspiring a new generation of women to embrace this style of clothing. Today, pantsuits are a common sight in the White House once again, and women in various roles within the administration are proudly donning them.
Weird and bizarre facts about historical figures continue to fascinate us, as they offer a glimpse into the lesser-known aspects of these iconic figures’ lives. Here are four more such facts:
1. Pablo Picasso – the famous Spanish artist – had many lovers, and was known for his womanizing ways. He once remarked, “Every time I change a woman, I have to burn the last one. She costs me too much in paint.”
2. Amelia Earhart – the legendary aviator – was in an open marriage. She didn’t want to be tied down to one person and she didn’t want her relationship to interfere with her work.
3. Bruce Lee – the iconic martial artist and actor – agreed when his father told him to get circumcised to make him seem more American. As Lee put it, “My father thought circumcision would make me more Americanized.”
4. L. Ron Hubbard – the founder of Scientology – was a prolific science fiction writer before starting his controversial religion. He was known for his self-aggrandizement and fabricating stories about his life. In fact, some believe that several of Hubbard’s claims about his past were not entirely accurate, and that he invented many of his background details.
Moving on to another interesting fact, Pope Gregory the Great – who served as Pope from 590 to 604 CE – declared war on cats in the 13th century, believing they were agents of the devil. He even ordered their extermination, in what has become a little-known chapter in history. The Pope’s animosity towards cats may have stemmed from his belief that they were associated with pagan rituals and practices that he was trying to eradicate. This infamous declaration by the Pope caused widespread fear and persecution of cats throughout Europe, resulting in the deaths of countless innocent felines. Thankfully, over time, the Pope’s edict was dismissed as a bizarre but ill-conceived gesture, and cats were once again revered as the beloved pets we know and love today.
In conclusion, these weird and bizarre facts give us a newfound appreciation for the quirks and flaws of historical figures, helping us understand that these figures – despite their lofty achievements – were also very human, and dealt with their own share of challenges and complexities. From Pope Gregory’s mysterious hatred of cats to Picasso’s womanizing ways, these facts provide an insightful glimpse into the lives of these historical figures, augmenting our appreciation for their contributions while also making their stories richer and more captivating.
