Today in history: November 1

Nov. 1, 1800: John Adams moved into the President's House — known today, of course, as the White House. Prior to moving into the President's House, the President and First Lady Abigail Adams lived in rented rooms above a tavern on Capitol Hill.

Construction on the mansion wasn't even finished when Adams' carriage arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (Abigail would arrive a month later). But their furniture, which had been brought from Philadelphia, was in place and the famous Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington — the only President who never lived in the White House — had been proudly hung.

In a note to his wife, Adams expressed his wish that "none but honest and wise men (shall) ever rule under this roof." Adams himself would only live in the house for five months. His re-election bid was defeated by Thomas Jefferson, and President and Mrs. Adams returned to their native Massachusetts in February 1801.

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Nov. 1, 1950: President Truman survived an assassination attempt by Puerto Rican nationalists. Secret Service officer Leslie Coffelt was killed during the attack. The attack on Truman took place at Blair House, across the street from the White House, where the President was living while the White House was being renovated. The President watched the gun fight from his open window — just a few feet away — until a passerby shouted at him to take cover.

Quote of the Day

"May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof." — John Adams, upon moving into the White House, Nov. 1, 1800.

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