Get to Know Our Get to Know Our PresidentsPresidents

Presidential Fun FactsPresidential Fun Facts

George WashingtonGeorge WashingtonWashington didn’t have teeth, and he had to wear dentures!Washington didn’t have teeth, and he had to wear dentures!He was obsessed with keeping teeth cleaned and even made He was obsessed with keeping teeth cleaned and even made

sure his horses had their teeth brushed every day!sure his horses had their teeth brushed every day!

John AdamsJohn AdamsAdams was the first president to live in the White House.Adams was the first president to live in the White House.

He was one of only two presidents who signed the Declaration of He was one of only two presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence.Independence.

Thomas JeffersonThomas JeffersonJefferson had a pet grizzly bear cub at the White House!Jefferson had a pet grizzly bear cub at the White House!

He was a speleologist—a cave explorer!He was a speleologist—a cave explorer!

James MadisonJames MadisonMadison was the shortest of all of our presidents. He was only 5’4”!Madison was the shortest of all of our presidents. He was only 5’4”!

Madison and his wife used to serve all their guests ice cream.Madison and his wife used to serve all their guests ice cream.

James MonroeJames MonroeMonroe was shot in the shoulder during the Revolutionary War, Monroe was shot in the shoulder during the Revolutionary War,

but they never took the bullet out!but they never took the bullet out!The White House was painted white during his presidency. It was The White House was painted white during his presidency. It was

just the color of wood before that.just the color of wood before that.

John Quincy AdamsJohn Quincy AdamsAdams was the first president to have his photograph taken.Adams was the first president to have his photograph taken.

He used to go for a swim in the Potomac River every morning at 5 a.m.!He used to go for a swim in the Potomac River every morning at 5 a.m.!

Andrew JacksonAndrew JacksonHad a pet parrot named Poll who could whistle and talk. She Had a pet parrot named Poll who could whistle and talk. She

didn’t always speak politely though…didn’t always speak politely though…

Jackson was involved in several duels. One of the bullets from a Jackson was involved in several duels. One of the bullets from a duel was lodged in his chest the rest of his life!duel was lodged in his chest the rest of his life!

Martin Van BurenMartin Van BurenVan Buren used to be called “Old Kinderhook” after the town he was Van Buren used to be called “Old Kinderhook” after the town he was

from. It was shortened to “O.K.” and this led to the word okay!from. It was shortened to “O.K.” and this led to the word okay!

He was the first president to be born after the United States was a He was the first president to be born after the United States was a country.country.

William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry HarrisonHarrison gave the longest inauguration speech in history—he Harrison gave the longest inauguration speech in history—he

talked for two hours!talked for two hours!

He caught pneumonia during his inauguration and died a month He caught pneumonia during his inauguration and died a month later.later.

John TylerJohn TylerTyler got married on his birthday. He was one of the only three Tyler got married on his birthday. He was one of the only three

presidents to marry while in office.presidents to marry while in office.

He wasn’t elected president, but he became president when He wasn’t elected president, but he became president when William Henry Harrison died.William Henry Harrison died.

John K. PolkJohn K. PolkPolk made 5 promises when he ran for president, and he was able Polk made 5 promises when he ran for president, and he was able

to keep all of them.to keep all of them.

One of his promises was to get California from Mexico, and he did One of his promises was to get California from Mexico, and he did it!it!

Zachary TaylorZachary TaylorTaylor never lived in one place long enough to register to vote, so Taylor never lived in one place long enough to register to vote, so

he didn’t vote in an election until he voted for himself!he didn’t vote in an election until he voted for himself!

He was one of six presidents to be born in a log cabin.He was one of six presidents to be born in a log cabin.

Millard FillmoreMillard FillmoreFillmore had a bathtub installed in the White House—there wasn’t Fillmore had a bathtub installed in the White House—there wasn’t

one there before!one there before!

He never had a Vice President since he had been the VP for He never had a Vice President since he had been the VP for Zachary Taylor and became president when he died.Zachary Taylor and became president when he died.

Franklin PierceFranklin PiercePierce memorized his entire inauguration speech and gave it Pierce memorized his entire inauguration speech and gave it

without even looking at his notes!without even looking at his notes!

He was the first president to put a Christmas tree in the White He was the first president to put a Christmas tree in the White House.House.

James BuchananJames BuchananBuchanan was the only president who was never married.Buchanan was the only president who was never married.

When a prince from England came to visit, he brought so many When a prince from England came to visit, he brought so many people that Buchanan had to sleep in the hallway of the White people that Buchanan had to sleep in the hallway of the White

House!House!

Abraham LincolnAbraham LincolnLincoln grew a beard because a little girl wrote him a letter to tell Lincoln grew a beard because a little girl wrote him a letter to tell

him he would look better with facial hair!him he would look better with facial hair!

Before Lincoln was president, he failed as a shopkeeper, Before Lincoln was president, he failed as a shopkeeper, businessman, farmer, and lost elections for several different political businessman, farmer, and lost elections for several different political

offices.offices.

Andrew JohnsonAndrew JohnsonTaught himself everything he knew—he never went to school! Taught himself everything he knew—he never went to school! Some friends taught him the alphabet and he taught himself to Some friends taught him the alphabet and he taught himself to

read from there.read from there.

He served in the military during the Civil War.He served in the military during the Civil War.

Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. GrantGrant once got a speeding ticket for riding his horse and buggy Grant once got a speeding ticket for riding his horse and buggy

too fast!too fast!

Grant made Yellowstone the first national park.Grant made Yellowstone the first national park.

Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. HayesHayes had the first telephone installed in the White House.Hayes had the first telephone installed in the White House.

The election for his presidency was very close and the votes from The election for his presidency was very close and the votes from three different states had to be recounted!three different states had to be recounted!

James A. GarfieldJames A. GarfieldGarfield was shot in the back, and doctors were never able to find Garfield was shot in the back, and doctors were never able to find

the bullet. He died 11 weeks later.the bullet. He died 11 weeks later.

He had a dog named “Veto.”He had a dog named “Veto.”

Chester A. ArthurChester A. ArthurArthur loved fishing for salmon!Arthur loved fishing for salmon!

He was called “Elegant Arthur” because he was stylish. He had He was called “Elegant Arthur” because he was stylish. He had 80 pairs of pants!80 pairs of pants!

Grover ClevelandGrover ClevelandCleveland had part of his jaw removed because of cancer, but Cleveland had part of his jaw removed because of cancer, but

doctors gave him a rubber jaw in its place.doctors gave him a rubber jaw in its place.

He was president when the State of Liberty was given to the He was president when the State of Liberty was given to the United States by France.United States by France.

Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin HarrisonElectric lights were installed when Harrison was president. All Electric lights were installed when Harrison was president. All

previous presidents had to use candles!previous presidents had to use candles!

He was the first president to go to a baseball game.He was the first president to go to a baseball game.

Grover ClevelandGrover ClevelandCleveland was the only president to serve two terms that were Cleveland was the only president to serve two terms that were

not right in a row.not right in a row.

He was the first president to have a baby while in office. Her He was the first president to have a baby while in office. Her name was Ruth, and Baby Ruth candy bars are named for her!name was Ruth, and Baby Ruth candy bars are named for her!

William McKinleyWilliam McKinleyMcKinley volunteered for the Union Army during the Civil War. He McKinley volunteered for the Union Army during the Civil War. He

was only a teenager, so one of his jobs was to bring food and coffee was only a teenager, so one of his jobs was to bring food and coffee to the men on the battlefields.to the men on the battlefields.

He liked to wear a lucky red carnation in the buttonhole of his vest.He liked to wear a lucky red carnation in the buttonhole of his vest.

Theodore RooseveltTheodore RooseveltRoosevelt once fought a pack of mountain lions because they Roosevelt once fought a pack of mountain lions because they

were attacking his dogs.were attacking his dogs.

The teddy bear was named after Roosevelt when he refused to The teddy bear was named after Roosevelt when he refused to shoot a bear cub on a hunting trip.shoot a bear cub on a hunting trip.

William Howard TaftWilliam Howard TaftTaft was very plump. He even got stuck in the White House bathtub!Taft was very plump. He even got stuck in the White House bathtub!

He became a Supreme Court justice after being president.He became a Supreme Court justice after being president.

Woodrow WilsonWoodrow WilsonWilson began his career as a teacher and was even the president Wilson began his career as a teacher and was even the president

of Princeton University before becoming president.of Princeton University before becoming president.

He didn’t learn the alphabet until he was nine and didn’t learn to He didn’t learn the alphabet until he was nine and didn’t learn to read until he was eleven!read until he was eleven!

Warren G. HardingWarren G. HardingHarding was the first president to ride in a car to his Harding was the first president to ride in a car to his

inauguration.inauguration.

Many people think Harding may have died from being poisoned!Many people think Harding may have died from being poisoned!

Calvin CoolidgeCalvin CoolidgeCoolidge had pet raccoons named Rebecca and Rueben.Coolidge had pet raccoons named Rebecca and Rueben.

Coolidge slept ten hours each night and took a nap every afternoon.Coolidge slept ten hours each night and took a nap every afternoon.

Herbert HooverHerbert HooverHoover approved “The Star-Spangled Banner” as our national Hoover approved “The Star-Spangled Banner” as our national

anthem.anthem.

He did not accept money for being president, choosing to donate He did not accept money for being president, choosing to donate his earnings instead.his earnings instead.

Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. RooseveltRoosevelt was elected to be president for four terms.Roosevelt was elected to be president for four terms.

His dog once bit the British Prime Minister!His dog once bit the British Prime Minister!

Harry S. TrumanHarry S. TrumanTruman read all of the books in his public library growing up. It Truman read all of the books in his public library growing up. It

had more than 2,000 books in it!had more than 2,000 books in it!

He kept a pet goat named Dewey’s Goat at the White House.He kept a pet goat named Dewey’s Goat at the White House.

Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. EisenhowerHis dog was banned from the White House because it went to the His dog was banned from the White House because it went to the

bathroom on the floor of a very important room!bathroom on the floor of a very important room!

He played football in college until he had to quit the team He played football in college until he had to quit the team because he injured his knee.because he injured his knee.

John F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyKennedy was a Boy Scout growing up.Kennedy was a Boy Scout growing up.

He had to wear special shoes because his right leg was longer He had to wear special shoes because his right leg was longer than his left leg.than his left leg.

Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. JohnsonJohnson ran away from home when he was 15 and worked as a Johnson ran away from home when he was 15 and worked as a

grape picker.grape picker.

He became president when JFK was assassinated. He was sworn He became president when JFK was assassinated. He was sworn in as president on an airplane.in as president on an airplane.

Richard M. NixonRichard M. NixonHe wanted to be an FBI agent before becoming president, but He wanted to be an FBI agent before becoming president, but

they turned him down.they turned him down.

He was president when man landed on the moon.He was president when man landed on the moon.

Gerald FordGerald FordFord was a fashion model before becoming a politician.Ford was a fashion model before becoming a politician.

He was named Leslie Lynch King, Jr. when he was born, but his He was named Leslie Lynch King, Jr. when he was born, but his name was changed when his mother remarried.name was changed when his mother remarried.

Jimmy CarterJimmy CarterCarter was the first president to be born in a hospital! Others Carter was the first president to be born in a hospital! Others

before had been born at home.before had been born at home.

He could read 2,000 words a minute!He could read 2,000 words a minute!

Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganReagan was an actor before he became president.Reagan was an actor before he became president.

He kept a jar of jelly beans on his desk during his presidency. He kept a jar of jelly beans on his desk during his presidency. Indiana’s governor, Mitch Daniels, used to work for Reagan, and Indiana’s governor, Mitch Daniels, used to work for Reagan, and

now he keeps jelly beans on his desk!now he keeps jelly beans on his desk!

George H. W. BushGeorge H. W. BushBush flew in 58 combat missions in World War II.Bush flew in 58 combat missions in World War II.

He hates broccoli and refuses to eat it!He hates broccoli and refuses to eat it!

Bill ClintonBill ClintonClinton’s pet cat, named Socks, had its own web site!Clinton’s pet cat, named Socks, had its own web site!

He was the governor of Arkansas before be became the He was the governor of Arkansas before be became the president.president.

George W. BushGeorge W. BushBush’s father, George H.W. Bush, was also the president!Bush’s father, George H.W. Bush, was also the president!

He used to be a part owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team.He used to be a part owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team.

Barack ObamaBarack ObamaObama doesn’t like ice cream because he worked at Baskin Obama doesn’t like ice cream because he worked at Baskin

Robbins in high school.Robbins in high school.

He used to be a law professor at a University of Chicago.He used to be a law professor at a University of Chicago.