By J. Mark Powell
For the first time, a presidential State of the Union address is being rescheduled due to partisan politics.
It’s the latest chapter in a tradition that stretches to the closing days of the 18th century.
How much do you know about the State of the Union speech?
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Take the quiz below and test your knowledge of the constitutional mandate that the president “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union.”
1. Who delivered the first State of the Union speech?
2. Which president sent his report to Congress in writing, establishing a precedent that was followed for more than a century?
3. This president revived the custom of delivering the State of the Union in person to Congress.
4. This president had the first State of the Union address broadcast on radio.
5. The first televised State of the Union address was delivered by:
6. Two presidents never gave State of the Union reports because they didn’t live long enough. Who were they?
7. The longest address (in terms of time) lasted nearly 90 minutes, including applause. It was delivered by:
8. Coming in at 1,089 words, which president had the shortest address based on word count?
9. Based on its staggering 33,667 words, which president’s address was the longest of all?
10: Which president’s address was first carried live on the internet via the House website?
Answers: 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-B, 5-B, 6-D, 7-C, 8-A, 9-D, 10-B
About the Writer
J. Mark Powell is a historical novelist and former broadcast journalist. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.
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