This week, readers sent us comments on Dr. Koop’s health care ad, FactCheck merchandising, and word choice in articles and letters. In the FactCheck Mailbag, we feature some of the e-mail we receive.
Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length.
Stories by FactCheck.org
February 2, 2010
The Groundhog Day tradition was brought to the United States by German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania, and it has its roots in the Christian Candlemas Day.
Source: Punxsutawney Groundhog Club
February 1, 2010
Oxfam International, founded in 1995 by nongovernmental groups, has 13 member organizations based in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Quebec, Spain and the United States.
Source: Oxfam International
January 31, 2010
Chikungunya fever is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. In recent years, cases have been reported in parts of Asia and the Indian Ocean.
Source: CDC
January 30, 2010
Any donations to Haiti relief efforts made this year (by Feb. 28) can be taken as a deduction against 2009 taxes.
Source: IRS
January 29, 2010
Thomas Jefferson was the first president to deliver a "State of the Union" message in writing, instead of personally before a joint session of Congress. Subsequent presidents followed suit, until 1913, when President Woodrow Wilson made the speech in person.
Source: Congressional Research Service
January 28, 2010
The opposition party’s response to the State of the Union address began in 1966 when Republican Sen. Everett Dirksen of Illinois and Republican Rep. Gerald R. Ford of Michigan delivered the rebuttal to President Lyndon Johnson’s speech.
Source: Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House
January 27, 2010
The "State of the Union address" was formally known as the "Annual Message" from 1790 until 1934.
Source: Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House
FactCheck Mailbag, Week of Jan. 19-Jan. 25
This week, readers sent us comments on a recent Supreme Court decision, political corruption and other readers’ comments. In the FactCheck Mailbag, we feature some of the e-mail we receive.
Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length.
January 26, 2010
Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution authorizes the president to deliver information on the "State of the Union" to Congress.
Source: U.S. Constitution