The Parker House Hotel in Boston created the Parker House roll in the 19th century, a fluffy yeast-fed roll with a central crease. The rolls are made from white flour and a butter base, and are a signature dish of the luxurious Omni Parker House restaurant. The recipe can be found in cookbooks and online, […]
State houses in the US are formal complexes of buildings that house government offices, with a Capitol building at the center. They are open to the public and offer guided tours. State houses are highly formal and often have classical architecture. Security measures are in place to protect occupants. Visitors can arrange to meet with […]
The White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 16 family guest rooms, and 3 kitchens. It has 412 doors, 147 windows, and requires 570 gallons of paint to cover the exterior. The first elevator was installed in 1881 and the president pays for their own expenses. The White House, the official residence of the President […]
The Kaleva Bottle House in Michigan was built in 1941 by John J. Makinen using bottle wall construction. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and is open to the public for guided tours. The walls provide insulation and are fire-resistant. The house is now a museum for Michigan history. Bottle […]
House arrest is a legal punishment for minor offenses or where maintaining prisoners is too expensive. Offenders wear an ankle monitor that transmits a GPS signal to alert authorities if they leave their permitted range. Some detainees are allowed breaks for certain activities. Former presidents and celebrities have been confined to house arrest, but it […]
The House of Lords is the upper house of the UK Parliament, made up of appointed or elected members. It has three types of members: life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers. The House of Lords can block legislation and introduce its own. It underwent major reforms in the 20th century, reducing its power. Today, it […]
The White House Situation Room was developed by President Kennedy for handling national security situations. It includes conference and video rooms, updated by President George W. Bush. The space is secured with various techniques and has extensive technology for monitoring and secure communication. Visitors are sometimes shown the room. The White House Situation Room is […]
Thomas Edison’s discovery of using carbonized bamboo as a filament for light bulbs led to the world’s first incandescent lighting systems, replacing gas lights. The White House was first installed with electricity in 1891, but President Harrison and his wife never touched the switches. Instead, the household staff turned the lights on and off. During […]
The Speaker of the House in the US leads debates, decides how the House will proceed, and is second in line to assume the presidency. The majority party elects the rapporteur and retains control of decisions. Other countries have their own versions of the Speaker of the House. The US Senate is administered by a […]
The US government has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Congress is part of the legislative branch, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has two members from each state, while the House has a varying number based on population. Senators serve six-year terms, while House members serve two-year terms. The […]
The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first legislative assembly in the Americas, setting a precedent for limited monarchy and local laws. Although under English rule, it was an important experiment in democracy and an intellectual meeting place for revolutionary figures. The assembly was established by the Virginia Company to make Jamestown more attractive, and […]
The House Appropriations Committee controls 40% of federal spending, with subcommittees determining funding for various projects. It has the power to set spending limits and is appointed by the Speaker of the House. Created in 1865, it manages government spending and oversees the Ways and Means Committee. The House Appropriations Committee is a committee established […]
The House Appropriations Committee controls 40% of federal spending and approves funding for defense, social programs, and government operations. It works with the Senate Appropriations Committee and has subcommittees for various projects. The committee sets spending limits and can act alone in times of emergency. Members are appointed by the Speaker of the House and […]
The House Judiciary Committee was established in 1813 to handle legal matters in the United States Congress. It has jurisdiction over proposed amendments to the Constitution, impeachments, and crime and national security issues. Members are selected based on political affiliation and legal background. The committee has five subcommittees and oversees departments within the executive branch. […]
Chiswick House, built in the early 1700s, was the first example of Palladian architecture in England. It was not originally designed as a residence and has been used for entertaining and showcasing art collections. The gardens were designed by William Kent and are now a public park. The building is a museum. Chiswick House is […]
The Paul Revere House in Boston is a National Monument and museum operated by the Paul Revere Memorial Foundation. Paul Revere lived there with his family from 1770 to 1800 and warned the colonists of the British attack. The house is the oldest remaining building in downtown Boston and has been renovated to its original […]
Kenwood House is a luxurious residence in North London, managed by English Heritage. Visitors can tour the house to view artwork and Robert Adam’s intricate interior and exterior design. The gardens, with formal and informal sections, are a popular attraction. Donations are accepted for maintenance and restoration, and visitors can enjoy the garden café and […]
Mansion House is the residence of the Lord Mayor of London’s financial district, the City of London. It was designed by George Dance and houses entertainment rooms, a former prison, and a collection of 17th-century Dutch paintings. The building is open for public visits once a week. The Lord Mayor hosts foreign dignitaries and local […]
Danson House, an 18th-century house in Bexleyheath inspired by Italian villas, underwent restoration in the 20th century and won the Georgian Group National Award in 2000. It is now a museum and event space, featuring original features such as a grand spiral staircase and 18th-century wall paintings. Danson Park surrounds the house and is open […]
Apsley House in London was the home of the Duke of Wellington, who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. It is now a museum displaying over 3,000 items, including art collections, silverware, and military orders. The house was built in the 1770s and was donated to Great Britain in 1947, becoming a museum in […]