02/16/2026
Presidents Day Fun Fact:
Did you know George Washington had a standing appointment every Tuesday and Thursday night—right after duties were done and wigs were slightly loosened—to play DJ Trivia with his staff?
It started innocently enough: a few questions over supper, a bit of friendly competition, maybe a harmless wager of apple pie versus bragging rights. But it didn’t take long before the “Father of His Country” became the Father of Absolutely Needing One More Question.
Washington took it seriously—not “march an army through winter” serious, but close. He’d sit at the head of the table with a quill in hand, scanning the clue like it was a battle plan.
“Gentlemen,” he’d say, narrowing his eyes, “this is clearly a trick question.”
Hamilton—never one to stay quiet—would argue every answer like he was filibustering Congress.
Jefferson would insist the correct response was “more philosophically nuanced.”
And poor Washington’s staff? They learned quickly: if you tried to sneak a peek at someone else’s paper, you didn’t just lose points—you lost the General’s respect. Legend says he once stared a man into complete honesty.
But here’s the best part: Washington loved it so much that he made it official—an unspoken executive tradition. From then on, every president carried the torch: DJ Trivia night with the staff.
Lincoln famously crushed the history rounds and delivered the answers like a courtroom speech.
Teddy Roosevelt treated every “Double Down Dare” like a charge up San Juan Hill.
JFK was smooth until the pop culture questions showed up—then he’d whisper, “We choose to guess… not because it is easy, but because it is hard.”
And if you think modern presidents don’t get competitive? Please. There are rumors of a classified binder titled:
“Things We Do Not Discuss Publicly:
UFOs
Area 51
The Do-or-Die Dare Incident”
To this day, no matter what’s happening in the world, you can bet somewhere in the White House—two nights a week—the staff is huddled around a table, pens down, timer running, someone yelling “LOCK IT IN,” and a president squinting at the final question like it personally insulted the nation.
Because some traditions aren’t written into the Constitution…
They’re written on the answer sheet.
