Presidential Fun Facts United States
This article is about Presidential fun facts. The fact is that, if you are trying to learn something about them, then it become easier because you tend to remember things when they are funny or unique.
You learn that some of these men had a fondness for ice cream - some liked to design clothing - some were afraid of speaking in public - at least one liked to go swimming in his birthday suit!
Learning fun facts about them helps them "come to life" in your mind, and if you are like me, you'll be more apt to remember them!
"Wash- Ad - Jeff - Mad - Mon - Ad - Jack".... this little verse or saying was how my dad learned the order of the first presidents, during his childhood in the 1920's and 30's.
He taught it to his children, and it's still an easy way for me remember them to this day. Although now that I've started learning about American history again, I no longer need that verse to help me. I'm now learning about the actual people that served as our Presidents.
One of the best resources that I found for Presidential facts is the History Channel's The Presidents series. Interesting to watch and just jam packed with fun presidential facts! If you haven't yet watched that series, I highly recommend it. It gives you a quick glimpse into all of the Presidents, and what was happening in the country at the time they were in office.
It's not only educational... it's truly enjoyable!
Below are some fun Presidential facts about those first six men who served as US Presidents - George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson.
There are also a few fun presidential facts from our entire history - shortest president, tallest president, oldest president, youngest president and left handed presidents.
Interesting Presidential Fun Facts
Did you know...
- That President George Washington was once the single largest distiller of alcohol in America? In 1798, Washington produced 11,000 gallons of whiskey at Mt. Vernon.
- That in addition to being a great general and President, George Washington also excelled at dancing, decorating, designing uniforms and gambling.
- That John Adams spoke with a lisp?
- That Thomas Jefferson sometimes greeted White House visitors in his slippers? He wanted to have a "more casual" atmosphere in the White House, and thought of himself as a "man of the people".
- John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams both refused to attend their successor's inauguration's.
- Thomas Jefferson's inauguration was the first to be held in Washington, D.C.
Fun Fact: Only two Presidents signed the Declaration of Independence - John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Both died on July 4th, 1826 - the 50th Anniversary of the adoption of that document.
More Presidential Fun Facts
1) George Washington added the words "So help me God" to the oath of office.
2) Washington traveled to every state in the new union while in office? He often traveled in a carriage, but would mount his white horse "Nelson" before riding into towns. He believed image was important.
3) George Washington choose the location and helped design the layout of Washington, D.C.? Yet he was the only President never to serve in D.C. or live in the White House.
4) Thomas Jefferson hated speaking in public - He was a brilliant writer, but did not enjoy speaking in public. He did not give an annual "state of the union" type address to Congress - instead he sent over written speeches as his address.
5) Even thought Jefferson was a strong proponent of smaller government before he became President, he dramatically increased the size of Government with his Louisiana Purchase.
6) President Thomas Jefferson kept two bear cubs on the South lawn of the White House. They were a gift from Lewis and Clark.
7) James Madison is known as the "Father of the Constitution"
8) Madison was the 1st President in U.S. history to ask Congress for a declaration of war.
9) The Monroe Doctrine was actually written by John Quincy Adams
10) The election between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson in 1824 was the first election to count the popular vote, in addition to the electoral vote.
11) Andrew Jackson won the popular vote and the electoral vote in 1824, but did not receive a majority in the electoral vote. The election was decided by the U.S. House of Representatives and Adams was elected President.
12) It was thought that John Quincy Adams had made a deal with the Speaker of the House, Henry Clay, to become Secretary of State if Adams was elected by the House. This set the tone for the next four years of Adams term - Adams was relentlessly attacked by the "Jacksonian's" for his entire term as President.
13) President John Quincy Adams used to go skinny-dipping in the Potomac River every morning
John Quincy Adams was the first President to have his photograph taken in 1843
14) Andrew Jackson had two bullets in his body while he served as President - one as a result of a duel with Charles Dickinson in 1806 and the other as a result of a disagreement between Jackson and Senator Thomas Hart Benton and Benton's brother, Jesse.
15) Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the first president to appear on television. He gave a speech at the World's Fair in New York City on April 30, 1939. It could only be seen on the fairgrounds and at Radio City.
Oldest President - Youngest President - Left Handed Presidents
1) Youngest President elected - John F. Kennedy was 43 when he took the oath of office
2) Youngest President ever - Teddy Roosevelt was 42 when he was sworn in as President after McKinley was assassinated
3) Oldest President - Ronald Reagan (69)
4) Tallest President - Abraham Lincoln (6' 4")
5) Shortest President - James Madison (5' 4")
6) Heaviest President - William Howard Taft (over 300 lbs)
7) Lightest President - James Madison (approximately 100 lbs)
8) Left Handed Presidents - James A. Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Harry S. Truman, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama
If you like this article and interested to know more then click US President facts.
