Michelle Obama is hardly the first to enjoy gliding over the waxed parquet on the wide, open East Room floor. Her "Dougie" is but the latest link in a history of popular American dance within first lady history.
There were few powerful women in mid-19th century America who more vigorously pressed the case first for abolition and then for the education, housing, and welfare of freed African-American slaves than did Mrs. Lincoln.
In each succeeding generation, the misfortunes of Abraham Lincoln's direct descendants multiplied into a litany of alcoholism, squandered fortunes, and outright dissipation.
As memories of Inauguration Day 2009 begin to fade in and the new administration ensues, speculation will only increase about how politically influential Michelle Obama will be as First Lady.