Q: How were the presidents chosen to be on Mount Rushmore? How was their positioning on Rushmore decided?
—Kathy McDonough, Peachtree Corners
A: Sculptor Gutzon Borglum suggested George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as a way to increase interest in the project after South Dakota historian Doane Robinson originally wanted explorers Lewis and Clark, Sioux Chief Red Cloud and Buffalo Bill Cody immortalized.
It was later decided to add Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt.
Washington’s head was built first, and Jefferson’s head was moved from the right of Washington to his left after workers found the rock too weak at that location.
Author Jean L.S. Patrick, who wrote the children’s book “Who Carved the Mountain? The Story of Mount Rushmore,” wrote on her website that Washington represented the birth of the United States, Jefferson represented its growth, Lincoln represented its preservation and Roosevelt represented its development.
Borglum also had a friendship with Roosevelt.
Construction lasted from 1927 to 1941.
Q: We’re learning about the security breach of the 22 million government employees. Does this include retired defense contractor employees who held top-secret clearances and, if so, how far back does this go?
—Lee Means, Acworth
A: The individuals impacted by breaches in the United States Office of Personnel Management most likely “underwent a background investigation through OPM in 2000 or afterwards,” the OPM said in a statement earlier this month.
“If an individual underwent a background investigation prior to 2000, that individual still may be impacted, but it is less likely.”
The first breach affected 4.2 million people and the second affected 21.5 million people.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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