As the United States celebrates President’s Day, it’s time to take a closer look at some of the most fascinating facts about our country’s leaders. From George Washington’s wooden teeth to Barack Obama’s love for basketball, here are seven surprising facts you never knew about U.S. presidents:
1. George Washington’s Wooden Teeth – Did you know that America’s first president had false teeth made out of wood? While he did have real teeth as a young man, they were ruined by his habit of chewing on lead bullets during the Revolutionary War. His dentures were actually made from hippopotamus ivory and human teeth, which explains why he rarely smiled in portraits!
2. Abraham Lincoln’s Love for Animals – Our 16th president was known for being kind-hearted towards animals. He once saved a turkey from being served at Thanksgiving dinner and even adopted a pet dog named Fido who followed him everywhere he went. In fact, one story tells how Lincoln stopped an angry mob from lynching a man accused of stealing a horse by saying “The man who stole the horse should be punished, but not with death.” How’s that for compassion?
3. John F. Kennedy’s Secret Service Nickname – JFK was so popular among his secret service agents that they gave him the nickname “Lancer,” after the code name used for his limousine. The moniker stuck throughout his presidency and is still used today when referring to the 35th president.
4. Ronald Reagan’s Hollywood Career – Before becoming the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan was a successful actor in Hollywood. He starred in over 50 films and television shows before entering politics, including classics like “Casablanca” and “Kings Row.” And if that wasn’t enough, he also hosted several TV programs and became the voice of General Electric Theater in the early days of television.
5. Bill Clinton’s Musical Talent – Believe it or not, former President Bill Clinton can play the saxophone! During his campaign for reelection in 1992, Clinton appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show and played a rendition of “Heartbreak Hotel” that wowed audiences across the nation. Who knows, maybe we’ll see another musical performance from him sometime soon…
6. Barack Obama’s Basketball Skills – Former President Barack Obama may have been busy running the country, but he always found time to stay active. One of his favorite hobbies was playing basketball, and he reportedly had a court installed on the White House grounds so he could practice whenever he wanted. According to those who’ve played against him, he’s quite good too!
7. Donald Trump’s Unusual Eating Habits – Last but certainly not least, current President Donald Trump has some interesting eating habits. For example, he reportedly likes his steak cooked well done with ketchup, and he’s been spotted eating McDonald’s burgers while flying on Air Force One. But perhaps the strangest thing he’s ever said about food is this quote: “I’m very much into cleanliness. I’m surprised how dirty the world is.” We don’t think anyone will argue with that!