Presidents Day is an opportunity to reflect on the oversized impact of commanders-in-chief on our culture, safety and welfare, and democratic institutions — as well as a moment to think about what we might expect of future leaders.

Being an eyewitness to history is essential for future historians

The first-hand experience of these appointees brings unmatched expertise to the administration.

To grasp the full scope of Trump’s historic failure, compare him to FDR

Next week the U.S. Senate will begin its second impeachment trial of President Trump, who has already left office. A look back at what has happened in previous trials sheds some light on what might happen next week.

George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt all assumed the presidency when the nation was confronting very different, but equally intense challenges. These administrations offer a model for the type of leadership that will guide the country out of this perilous position and reveal the three characteristics required to meet the moment: flexibility, empathy, and excellent communication.

JQA’s model serves as a helpful reminder of how elected officials should act, and reminds us how far most Republican lawmakers have strayed from that high standard.

While all inaugurations are historic, Biden is not the first president to assume office under extraordinary conditions.

His appointments are set to break barriers and establish new precedents when it comes to diversity. A look back at past cabinets shows how norms and customs have been slow to change.

It’s rare — and historically an indicator of instability in an administration.

The attack on Congress demonstrated the clear need of Washington, D.C. to have control over its own forces — independent from presidential control.

On December 8, President-Elect Joseph Biden announced he was nominating General Lloyd Austin III as his pick for Secretary of Defense. Immediately the pundits churned out articles in favor or against this choice, but most observers are a bit more undecided — myself included.

For more than two centuries, the vice president has held little power, despite the position’s prominence. That may be changing, but the story of the No. 2 job in America is full of historical quirks.

It helps Americans feel invested in an administration and provides a president with differing viewpoints.

McConnell’s pre-inauguration bluster is extremely unusual and highlights the importance of the Georgia Senate runoff races.

As we’ve seen in the last four years, Trump can easily foster chaos, endanger the lives of Americans and our allies, undermine trust in institutions and set back national security for decades to come. None of that will change because there is a new President-elect.

Worried we may have to wait to find out whether Biden or Trump won? In 1800, election results were delayed for months. And don’t forget 2000, when legal battles prolonged the final results until Dec. 12.

Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy left by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reflects a long history of presidents’ efforts to define the Supreme Court, beginning with George Washington.