The presidents of the United States have always received a lot of attention from not only the American people but also the whole world. However, there are still little known facts about US presidents.
In each presidential campaign, almost all your career milestones and achievements are exploited as thoroughly as possible. However, there are small exciting things not everyone knows about them. And this article would like to list some things about the US presidents in order of coming to power.
US Presidents
1. George Washington
Few people know that George Washington, the first President and hero of the United States, does not like to shake hands with others. He believes that the act of shaking hands lowers the status of a president. Therefore, instead of shaking hands, he often bowed to his guests. In order to avoid the awkward situation of guests reaching out to shake hands first, the President of the United States often places one hand on his sword and the other holds his hat.
George Washington is known to have many talents, but few people know that he has a whole whiskey recipe and a winery. His recipe consists of 60% rye, 35% corn, and a hint of malt.
2. John Adams
The 2nd president, John Adams, and the 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson, shared a close friendship and frequently exchanged letters. Even so, their political paths were often marked by rivalry. Remarkably, they both passed away within hours of each other on the 50th celebration of Independence Day on July 4, 1826. Adams passed away in Quincy, Massachusetts at 90 years old, while Jefferson died in Virginia at 83.
3. Thomas Jefferson
In 1786, Jefferson and John Adams paid a visit to the residence of William Shakespeare. There they made a piece from Shakespeare’s chair and treated it as a souvenir.
President Thomas Jefferson, (3rd President) was originally a famous writer, as well as the main author of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, did not like to speak in public and often avoided giving speeches. in public places. In addition, Thomas Jefferson is also considered one of the poorest presidents of the United States. He had to borrow debt throughout his life, including a debt owed by his father-in-law that he was responsible for paying on his behalf. After his death, the President’s estate was auctioned off to pay off his debt and his daughter had to live on a pension from a charity.
4. James Madison
James Madison is the 4th President, physically the weakest of the US presidents. Just over 1m6 tall, he weighs less than 45 kg, only about a quarter of the weight of President Taft, the fattest President of the United States.
President James Madison was honored to be the first graduate of Princeton University.
5. James Monroe
James Monroe, the 5th President of the United States, served from 1817 to 1825. Before his presidency, he played significant roles in the early years of the American Republic, including serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary War and holding various political positions. His presidency is most notably marked by the Monroe Doctrine, a key foreign policy statement asserting American influence in the Western Hemisphere and cautioning European nations against additional colonization. Monroe’s two terms in office, often referred to as the “Era of Good Feelings,” were marked by national unity and a relative absence of partisan conflict.
Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, is named after the president. He supported the Colonial Society of America to allow freed slaves to settle in this land.
6. John Quincy Adam
John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States, held office from 1825 to 1829. Coming from a notable political lineage, he was the offspring of the second President of the United States, John Adams. Prior to his presidency, John Quincy Adams had a distinguished diplomatic career, including serving as the U.S. Minister to several European nations. As president, his tenure was marked by strong stances on national infrastructure projects and opposition to slavery. Post-presidency, he continued to serve his country in the House of Representatives, where he became a vocal critic of slavery and advocated for the rights of Native Americans. His legacy is one of dedication, intellect, and principle.
7. Andrew Jackson
Jackson participated in about 100 duels, most of which were fought to protect the honor of his wife, Rachel (a woman who had been married before). He was shot in the chest during a match in 1806 and received a bullet in the arm during a fight in 1813.
8. Martin Van Buren
Van Buren’s nickname is “Old Kinderhook” because he was born in Kinderhook, NY. One document mentions the word “OK” as having its origins in his campaign. The club was called “OK Club” to support the campaign. He did not even speak English because he was raised and brought up in Dutch culture and language.
9. William H. Harrison
The Democrats created a campaign to smear Harrison during the presidential campaign trying to propagate him as more suitable as a warm boy sitting in his cabin and drinking than running the country. Harrison challenged the enemy by turning the tables with a massive advertising campaign. By the trick of advertising images with wooden huts, William H. Harrison transformed himself in the eyes of voters from the warm boy of a governor living on a warm mattress and soft pillow into a rustic man living in a corner of the woods. In fact, William H. Harrison has a 2,000-acre estate and it is true that he also has a log cabin, but it is a hut built specifically for his bride, as a vacation home for the honeymoon. Moreover, he was also a real warm boy, born not in a log cabin but from a two-story brick mansion in Berkeley on the banks of the James River in Virginia and at the time of his campaign he owned a large mansion in Vincennes.
William Henry Harrison is a President famous for giving the longest inaugural address but holding the shortest presidential term. In particular, his lengthy speech was read under bad weather conditions. As a result, he contracted a severe cold and died only a month after taking office. He is the 9th President of the United States.
10. John Tyler
He is the president with the most children in American history – 15 children. To this day, two of his grandsons are still alive. Those are Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr born in 1924 and Harrison Ruffin Tyler born in 1928.
11. James K. Polk
James Polk, nicknamed “Young Hickory”, played the role of the first black horse candidate to be elected. He was only seen as a party plan B after candidate Martin Van Buren – who later failed to secure his position. An extremely interesting fact is that the 11th President James Polk was elected President of the United States by the promise not to run for a second term.
12. Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was a tough guy – a major general in the army and a hero of the Mexican-American war. But strangely, he died from a glass of cold milk and some cherries – his favorite food. These cherries are believed to have been infected with cholera.
13. Millard Fillmore
President Millard Fillmore once refused to accept an honorary degree from Oxford University on the grounds that he could not read what was written because it used Latin letters. He once said, “One should not receive a degree without being able to read what it says.” And his first wife – Abigail Powers was his teacher when he was a student at an academy in New York.
14. Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, served from 1853 to 1857. Hailing from New Hampshire, Pierce was known for his charm and affable demeanor. However, his presidency was marred by his attempts to ease tensions between the North and the South over the contentious issue of slavery. His support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed territories to decide the legality of slavery for themselves, exacerbated sectional tensions and contributed to the country’s march toward the Civil War. Although Pierce sought national unity, his policies often proved divisive, and his presidency is viewed by many historians as one of the more lackluster in American history.
15. James Buchanan
This is considered the worst president in history. Little is known, however, that he regularly bought slaves in Washington and quietly freed them in Pennsylvania. President James Buchanan is also said to have suffered from severe depression and was the first gay president of the United States. This is also the only US President to be single while in office.
16. Abraham Lincoln
President Lincoln was very good at wrestling, he was always respected in this field. His number of defeats was just 1 out of more than 300 matches in his youth.
He was the first President of the United States to have a bushy beard. He grew his beard on the advice of a young girl named Grace Bedell, not his wife.
17. Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, served from 1865 to 1869. Ascending to the presidency after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Johnson faced the challenging task of leading the nation during the early days of Reconstruction after the Civil War. A Southern Democrat who remained loyal to the Union, Johnson’s policies often clashed with the Radical Republicans in Congress, who sought a more stringent approach to Reconstruction and civil rights for freedmen.
His leniency towards the South and resistance to civil rights advancements led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives, though he narrowly escaped removal from office by the Senate. Johnson’s presidency remains one of the most controversial in American history, with his approach to Reconstruction heavily criticized for its impact on the post-war South.
18. Ulysses S. Grant
He is a cigar addict, normally he has to smoke at least 20 cigarettes a day. After his victory in the Battle of Shiloh, he was given 10,000 boxes of cigars as a token of gratitude from the people. And finally, he died of throat cancer in 1885.
19. Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States, served from 1877 to 1881. His ascent to the presidency was marked by the contentious Election of 1876, where he emerged as the winner after a controversial electoral commission decision. Hayes’s presidency is notably associated with the end of the Reconstruction era, as he withdrew federal troops from the South, leading to the rollback of protection for African Americans and their civil rights. Domestically, Hayes was a proponent of civil service reform, aiming to reduce corruption in government. Although he faced challenges in bridging divides in post-Civil War America, Hayes remained committed to his belief in a more restrained, conservative federal government.
20. James A. Garfield
James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, served in 1881 but his tenure was tragically cut short after only a few months in office. Born into poverty, Garfield was a self-made man who rose through the ranks, serving as a Union general in the Civil War and later in the U.S. House of Representatives. His presidency began with promise, advocating for civil rights for African Americans and pushing for civil service reform to reduce patronage and corruption. However, Garfield’s time in office abruptly ended when he was assassinated by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker. Despite his brief presidency, Garfield’s commitment to integrity and reform left a lasting legacy.
21. Chester A. Arthur
Chester is famous for his perfect outfits and seductive long mustache that are very attractive to women. He was nicknamed “Elegant Arthur”. He owns about 80 pairs of pants. In addition, he sold the entire interior of the White House before he had to leave this mansion.
22. Grover Cleveland
The 22nd and 24th Presidents of the United States are also the only Presidents to serve two non-consecutive terms (1885–1889 and 1893–1897). In addition, he was also the first Democratic President elected after the American Civil War. In particular, President Grover Cleveland has a hobby of answering the phone and always personally answers calls at the White House.
23. Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison has an obsession with electricity. He and his wife never touch the electrical switches for fear of being electrocuted. At the same time, they always have bright lights on when they sleep.
24. William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft is America’s fattest President but also holds a title related to sports. He was the first to initiate the pitching game at the start of a baseball season (like the honor tee in football). After the first throw of President Taft on April 14, 1910, this action became a tradition of American presidents, although there is no document to regulate this.
What is interesting and somewhat humorous is that President William Howard Taft weighs more than 150 kg, so he was once stuck in a regular tub in the White House. Therefore, the owner of the White House then asked to install an oversized bathtub.
25. Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, served from 1913 to 1921. Prior to his presidency, he was an academic and the Governor of New Jersey. Wilson’s tenure is most prominently marked by his leadership during World War I and his subsequent efforts to shape a lasting peace through the League of Nations, an idea that was ahead of its time but faced resistance in the U.S. Senate. Domestically, under his administration, significant progressive reforms were enacted, including the Federal Reserve Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act. Though his presidency had numerous achievements, Wilson also faced criticism for his racial views and policies. Nevertheless, his vision for a united global peace-keeping body laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the United Nations.
26. Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, served from 1923 to 1929. Ascending to the presidency after the sudden death of Warren G. Harding, Coolidge, often nicknamed “Silent Cal” for his reserved demeanor, believed in limited government intervention in the economy. His tenure saw a period of significant economic growth known as the “Roaring Twenties.” Coolidge championed tax cuts, reduced the national debt, and sought to limit regulatory red tape. While he presided over a booming economy, critics argue that the lack of financial oversight during his administration contributed to the Great Depression that followed. Despite this, Coolidge remains a symbol of conservative fiscal values and government restraint.
27. Herbert Hoover
The 31st President of the United States of America Herbert Hoover and his wife are fluent in Mandarin Chinese. When they communicate privately and do not want others to hear, they will speak in Mandarin.
28. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
The 32nd President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a wife who also had the last name Roosevelt. Therefore, the First Lady did not need to change her last name when she married President Franklin.
29. John F. Kennedy
When the ship was sunk during World War II, the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy tried to save the life of an injured sailor by tying a rope to his teeth and pulling him to shore. The President swam a distance of 3.5 km.
30. Lyndon Johnson
Lyndon Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, served from 1963 to 1969. Taking office following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Johnson is best known for his “Great Society” initiatives, a series of domestic programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice. This included landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Medicare and Medicaid Acts. However, his presidency was deeply marred by the Vietnam War. Johnson’s escalation of the conflict and the resulting anti-war sentiments profoundly divided the American public. Despite his achievements in civil rights and social welfare, the shadow of Vietnam often looms large over Johnson’s legacy.
31. Richard Nixon
The 37th President of the United States Richard Nixon loved bowling so much that he filled up the swimming pool in the White House to build a bowling alley.
32. Gerald Ford
The 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford is the only person not elected to the office of president or vice president. He was appointed vice president by President Richard Nixon and then assumed the presidency of the United States after Nixon’s resignation.
33. George HW Bush
The 41st President of the United States, George HW Bush “vomited” right in the middle of a party to welcome him to Japan hosted by the Prime Minister of this country.
34. Bill Clinton
The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton was a member of a 4-member jazz band in high school. This band is called Three Blind Mice and always performs with sunglasses.
35. George W. Bush
The 43rd President, George W. Bush holds the records as the president with the highest and lowest approval ratings in the United States. Bush’s approval rating peaked after 9/11 and fell to a pathetic low compared to any US president after the devastating Hurricane Katrina disaster.
36. Barack Obama
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, served two terms from 2009 to 2017. As the first African American to hold office, his election marked a historic moment in American history. Obama, a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, started his political career in the Illinois State Senate. His presidency was marked by efforts to reform the American healthcare system, normalization of relations with Cuba, and the signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change. An eloquent orator with a message of hope and change, Obama remains a significant figure in U.S. and global politics.
37. Donald Trump
Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, served from 2017 to 2021. Before his political career, he was best known as a real estate mogul, television personality, and author. As president, Trump adopted a platform of “America First” and promoted policies focused on deregulation, tax cuts, and revising international trade agreements. His tenure was marked by significant political polarization, an emphasis on immigration reform, and controversial approaches to foreign policy. A master of media manipulation, Trump’s unconventional style, both on and off social media, has left a lasting impact on American politics.
