Six presidents we can learn from

Arthur, Buchanan, Carter, Lincoln, Monroe and Trump

The first 11 presidents, an 1846 compendium (Library of Congress).

Over the past 250 years, Americans have elected 45 men to the presidency. Their stories tell us much about ambition, achievement and failure.

Through their struggles, we can learn about how the United States has overcome existential challenges — and suffered defeats that still linger.

Presidents are a recurring theme for Now It’s History. Here’s a President’s Day sampling of some recent posts.