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Petula Dvorak

Columnist for Retropolis, a history column for the Washington Post. Wrote and read the inaugural column about the 1857 presidential inauguration sickness.

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Jan 18, 2025 • 11min

Retropolis: The presidential inauguration that made everyone sick

Petula Dvorak, a columnist for Retropolis at the Washington Post, delves into the bizarre events surrounding James Buchanan's 1857 inauguration. She uncovers the mystery of a gastrointestinal outbreak known as the National Hotel Disease, which struck Buchanan and over 400 guests. Dvorak explores the eerie conspiracy theories circling the illness and reflects on how it influenced presidential leadership. The tale also dives into the hotel's storied past, hinting at future connections to infamous historical figures like John Wilkes Booth.