On January 2, 1974, President Richard M. Nixon (above) signs      
the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, setting a
new national maximum speed limit.

Prior to 1974, individual states set speed limits within their
boundaries and highway speed limits across the country
ranged from 40 mph to 80 mph.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., and NHSA Administrator
Joan Claybrook, President Jimmy Carter and Secretary
of Transportation Brock Adams, unveiling a promotional
speed limit poster in the Oval Office, 1977 (Jimmy Carter Presidential Library/NARA)

                       
CAMILLE BOHANNON

                  
ROSS SIMPSON

On December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge touched a button
and lights up the first national Christmas tree to grace the White
House grounds.

Not only was this the first White House “community” Christmas
tree, but it was the first to be decorated with electric lights—a
strand of 2,500 red, white and green bulbs.

The balsam fir came from Coolidge’s home state of Vermont and
stood 48 feet tall. Several musical groups performed at the tree
-lighting ceremony, including the Epiphany Church choir and the
U.S. Marine Band.

Later that evening, President Coolidge and first lady Grace were
treated to carols sung by members of Washington, D.C.’s First Congregational Church.

According to the White House Historical Association, President
Benjamin Harrison was the first president to set up an indoor
Christmas tree for his family and visitors to enjoy in 1889. It
was decorated with ornaments and candles.

President Richard Nixon met Elvis Presley in the Oval Office
on December 21, 1970, a famously strange meeting initiated
by Elvis, who wanted to offer his services in the war on drugs
and asked Nixon for a federal narcotics badge, which Nixon
granted, giving the world one of the most requested photos
in U.S. National Archives history.

Elvis showing off his cuff links to the president.

Elvis presented Nixon with signed photographs of his family.