Today in history: The invention of 'first lady'

The term was first used to describe Lucy Hayes

First Lady Michelle Obama walks through the U.S. Capitol Building crypt to watch President Obama be sworn in for a second term.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

March 5, 1877: Newspaper columnist Mary Clemmer used the term "first lady" to describe Lucy Hayes. It was the first time the term was used to describe a current president's wife.

March 5, 1977: With Walter Cronkite moderating, Jimmy Carter participated in the first "Dial-a-President" phone in radio show. Some 9 million people tried to call in to ask Carter a question. He said the questions were "the kind you would never get in a press conference."

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