15 Interesting Facts About Politics

Introduction:

Politics is an ancient practice, with roots that can be traced back to ancient civilizations and it has continuously influenced and shaped the evolution of our society. With its complex and intriguing dynamics, it continues to surprise and fascinate us. Whether you are a politics enthusiast or just looking for some fun trivia, here are 15 interesting facts about politics that will make your day.

Fact 1: The World’s Longest Living Democracy Is India

India is the world’s largest and oldest continuous democracy, with its first democratic elections held in 1950 after its independence. As of 2020, India has held 16 successful and peaceful general elections, and it is a testament to the resilience of this remarkable democracy.

Fact 2: The World’s First Democratically Elected Female Prime Minister Was Sirimavo Bandaranaike

Sirimavo Bandaranaike was elected as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in 1960. She held this position until 1965 and then again from 1970 to 1977. She is the world’s first democratically elected female head of government, and her election was a landmark for the people of Sri Lanka and for female leaders in politics.

Fact 3: U.S. Presidents Were Not Chosen By Popular Vote Until 1824

The United States of America was the first nation to directly elect its head of state. Prior to 1824, presidential elections were decided by the Electoral College, where each state had a certain number of electoral votes to cast. It wasn’t until 1824 that the United States implemented the first popular vote presidential election.

Fact 4: The World’s First Woman Head Of State Was Elected in 1926

The world’s first female head of state was Elisabeth of Bavaria. She was elected to lead Germany in 1926 and governed the country until 1932 when the government was dissolved. Her election made her the first democratically elected female head of state in the world.

Fact 5: The Word “Politics” Comes From The Greek Word “Polis”

The word “politics” originated from the Greek word “polis”, which means “city-state”. This word was used to describe the government and administration of a city-state. The word “polis” can still be seen in the words “metropolis” and “metropolitan”.

Fact 6: The Second Amendment of the US Constitution Is the Shortest

The Second Amendment of the US Constitution is the shortest amendment of all. It reads, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” This amendment is also the most controversial, as different interpretations of it lead to widely different views regarding gun control.

Fact 7: Germany Was The First Country To Introduce Local Voting In 1871

Germany was the first country to introduce voting rights for local districts. This allowed elected deputies to have a say in local decision making and prosperity of their areas. This was a revolutionary concept that paved the way for more direct representation in governments across the world.

Fact 8: Thomas Jefferson Was The Third US President To Have A Pet Bird

The third President of the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson, was the first president to keep a pet bird. He named his pet mockingbird “Dick” and would often talk to it and share his ideas with it.

Fact 9: The Cold War Ended Without A Formal Agreement

The Cold War was a rivalry between the United States of America and the Soviet Union, that lasted from 1945 to 1992. Despite the many conferences, treaties, and summits between the two countries, it ended without a formal agreement. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was the final act that brought the Cold War to an end.

Fact 10: India Was First To Introduce Community-Based Voting

In India, women and members of the lower castes were not allowed to vote until after independence. In 1951, India was the first nation to introduce community-based voting, allowing all members of a community to vote as one. This was revolutionary and played a crucial role in making India a more democratic country.

Fact 11: Franklin D. Roosevelt Is The Only US President To Be Elected Four Times

In the US, a president can serve no more than two terms. However, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected for an unprecedented four consecutive terms from 1933 to 1945. He is widely credited for overseeing the US entry into the Second World War and his policies helped to bring the Great Depression to an end.

Fact 12: England Had A Female Prime Minister Before The USA Did

In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first and only female Prime Minister of Great Britain to date. She was in office for 11 years and her policies helped to break the control of the unions over the British economy. While the USA is yet to elect a female president, it had a female Vice President before the UK did.

Fact 13: The UN Was Established After WWII To Prevent Another Conflict

After the devastation of WWII, the United Nations (UN) was formed in 1945 as an international organization to promote peace and collaboration between nations. It is one of the oldest international political bodies in the world, and has since taken a stand in global issues such as climate change, poverty, and human rights.

Fact 14: The Official Currency of Vatican City Is The Euro

Vatican City, the smallest sovereign state in the world, has the euro as its official currency. This indicates the close relationship between the Vatican City and the European Union. Vatican City does not produce its own currency, and the euro is also used in Vatican City’s postal services.

Fact 15: The White House Was Built Using Slaves

The White House, the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States of America, took eight years to build and was completed in 1800. It was built using slave labor with many forced to work in difficult and hazardous conditions. This is an uncomfortable fact of US history which today serves as a reminder of the horrors of slavery.

Conclusion

Politics have shaped our society and the fortunes of many generations. There are many intriguing and interesting facts about politics, some of which might surprise or astound you. These 15 facts are only scratching the surface of the complex and ever changing field of politics. Hopefully, learning them has been an interesting and engaging experience.