With the President’s Day long weekend right around the corner, as well as the GOP primary elections heating up, in honor of all things presidential we’ve compiled some bizarre as well as interesting factoids about our elected presidential leaders, both past and present. They say that truth is stranger than fiction–we think you will absolutely agree!
John Adams-It is said that John Adams and his family wandered aimlessly for hours before finally figuring out how to find their way to their new home, The White House. (Perhaps a map was in order?)
Thomas Jefferson-When old Tom wrote his own epitaph he failed to even mention his time as president. (Apparently it wasn’t a big enough deal…)
William Howard Taft-Weighing in at well over 300 big ones, President Taft holds the distinction of being the heaviest man to ever be the United States president. Sadly, Taft once got stuck in the White House bathtub. To avoid a repeat of this embarrassing gaffe, a new (and 4 times larger) bathtub was installed. (It’s likely too, that this was prior to the Presidential physical fitness program!)
William Henry Harrison-This president, considered by many to be one of the most long winded when it came to giving speeches, gave one of the longest inaugural addresses in history, in spite of the fact that he was standing outside in very inclement weather without a coat or hat. He died of pneumonia about a month later. (Didn’t your mother warn you about not taking your coat?)
James Buchanan-When the Prince of Wales visited the White House with a ginormous entourage of people; President Buchanan was actually forced to sleep out in the hallway! (No respect…whatsoever…)
Grover Cleveland-President Cleveland enjoyed answering incoming phone calls to the White House himself. (That’s one way to screen your own calls…)
Woodrow Wilson-Enjoyed raising sheep for their wool during his stint in the White House. (so baaaad)
Warren G. Harding-President Harding had the distinction of having the biggest Presidential feet–rumored to be a size 14. (But at least he didn’t get stuck in the bathtub…)
Calvin Coolidge-President Coolidge absolutely refused to use the telephone during his Presidential term. (Can you say paranoid?)
Herbert Hoover-President Hoover was known to donate his entire salary made as President to charity. (awwwwwesome.)
Harry S. Truman-This musical president was known to rise long before dawn each day to practice the piano for about 2 hours. (Such inspiration to budding politically inclined musicians everywhere!)
Gerald Ford-Gerald Ford’s former jobs include being a fashion model and also working as a Yellowstone park ranger. (Strike a pose…with bears…)
Jimmy Carter-President Carter was considered an expert speed-reader and was purported to be able to read approximately 2000 words per minute. (War and Peace in 60 minutes flat…)
Barack Obama-President Obama was known as O’ Bomber during his high school basketball days. Obama is also known for collecting Spiderman memorabilia as well as Conan the Barbarian comic books. (Now there are some interesting allies…)
Want more? Here are a few tidbits of trivia on the GOP candidates:
Mitt Romney-Was named Mitt after his father’s cousin named Milton Romney.
Newt Gingrich-Was named Time magazine’s Man of the Year in 1995.
Rick Santorum-Karen Santorum, Rick’s wife, wrote a book about etiquette for children. (And mother’s everywhere are still grateful…)
Ron Paul-During his career as an OB/GYN he delivered more than 4,000 babies. He enjoys gardening and growing his own crops when he is at home in Texas.
Be sure to check out our collection of President’s Day costumes and accessories.
