Dive into the lighter side of American history with these 20 uproarious facts about past presidents. From bizarre habits to comical anecdotes, discover the humorous side of the Oval Office on Factsity.com!
Here are 20 hilarious facts about American presidents:
1. John Quincy Adams was known for his love of swimming in the Potomac River, often in the nude, as a form of exercise and relaxation.
2. Thomas Jefferson was fond of animals and kept a variety of pets, including a beloved mockingbird named Dick, which he allowed to fly freely around the White House.
3. Roosevelt was shot in the chest before a scheduled speech in Milwaukee. Remarkably, he proceeded to deliver his speech, showing the audience his bloodstained shirt, and stated, “It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose.”
4. Abraham Lincoln was indeed a skilled wrestler in his younger days, with only one recorded defeat out of approximately 300 matches, earning him the nickname “The Railsplitter.”
5. Andrew Jackson’s parrot, named Poll, had a foul mouth and was known to hurl obscenities at guests, reflecting Jackson’s own rough demeanor.
6. Calvin Coolidge and his wife, Grace, kept a pet raccoon named Rebecca, who was known to roam freely around the White House and even attended official functions.
7. James Madison was notably small in stature, standing at only 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing less than 100 pounds.
8. Herbert Hoover’s son, Allan, had two pet alligators, which were occasionally seen roaming the White House grounds and were known to frighten guests.
9. Despite efforts to conceal his disability from the public, Roosevelt was known for his sense of humor and would sometimes playfully drive his wheelchair around, pretending to be a chauffeur for his guests.
10. Harry S. Truman’s middle initial “S” was chosen as a tribute to both of his grandfathers, Anderson Shipp Truman and Solomon Young.
11. Before his acting and political careers, Ronald Reagan worked as a lifeguard in Illinois, where he saved 77 people from drowning over the course of seven summers.
12. Lyndon B. Johnson underwent gallbladder surgery in 1955, which left him with a large abdominal scar. He was known to show it off to reporters, along with his other surgical scars.
13. Contrary to popular belief, George Washington did not have wooden teeth. His dentures were made from a combination of human teeth, animal teeth, and ivory.
14. James Buchanan, who served as president before the Civil War, did purchase slaves in Washington, D.C., with the intent of setting them free in Pennsylvania to comply with state laws.
15. New England fish chowder was indeed one of John F. Kennedy’s favorite dishes, reflecting his Massachusetts roots.
16. Richard Nixon hosted a state dinner for the Apollo 11 astronauts upon their return from the moon, where he famously served barbecue ribs.
17. William Howard Taft was the first president to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game, starting a tradition that continues to this day.
18. Gerald Ford worked briefly as a fashion model during his college years to help pay for his tuition at the University of Michigan.
19. In 1973, while serving as governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter filed a report stating that he had witnessed an unidentified flying object, adding a unique footnote to his political career.
20. George H.W. Bush celebrated several milestone birthdays, including his 75th, 80th, 85th, and 90th, by skydiving, showcasing his adventurous spirit even in his later years.
