Caroline Harrison (1832-92) was an American first lady (1889-92) and the wife of Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States. While first lady, Caroline Harrison worked on behalf of several Washington charities; served as a fundraiser and supporter of John Hopkins Medical School; was a patron and the first head of the Daughters of the American Revolutiion (DAR); and oversaw an extensive remodeling of the White House, which included the installation of electricity. In 1891, she contracted tuberculosis and despite frequent attempts at a cure, she died in 1892, becoming only the second first lady to die in the White House.
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May 25
Presidential
JFK asks Congress to support the space program, 1961
On this day in 1961, President John F. Kennedy announces to Congress his goal of sending an American to the moon by the end of the decade and asks for…
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One of Caroline Harrison's contributions as first lady was the installation of electric lighting in the White House. However, she and her family were so intimidated by the new technology that they were too scared to personally operate it, instead relying on staff members to turn the lights on and off.
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