American Presidents

A Site to Complement C-SPAN's 20th Anniversary Television Series, American Presidents: Life Portraits
March-December 1999
American Presidents: Life Portrait Exhibit
9-12 Grade Student Activity

William McKinley


Meet the 24th president!
As First Lady, Ida McKinley suffered from epilepsy. When she had a seizure in public, McKinley would gently place a ___________ over her face to hide her contorted features.

Look closer!
Look at the picture of President McKinley and First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley. Can you determine any opinions about their relationship from looking at this picture? If so, what? Is it fair to form opinions about people and their relationships from looking at pictures? Why or why not?

Twenty Years of Public Affairs Programming. Created by America's Cable Companies.