9 Surprising Facts about US Presidents
The United States has had many presidents throughout its history, and each one has left their mark on the country in some way. However, there are also a lot of surprising facts that most people don’t know about these leaders. Here are nine fascinating tidbits you probably didn’t learn in school:
1. The First President’s Secret Hobby – George Washington was known for being an excellent military leader and statesman, but did you know he also had a secret hobby? He loved to grow cherries and even built his own greenhouse at Mount Vernon to cultivate them. In fact, he was so proud of his cherry trees that he included them in his will!
2. A President with a Pet Bear – William Howard Taft may have been a serious politician, but he also had a playful side. While serving as president, he adopted a bear cub named “Cubbie” who became a beloved member of the family. Cubbie would often romp around the White House lawn and even accompanied the Tafts on vacation!
3. The Tallest and Shortest Presidents – It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Abraham Lincoln was tall (he stood at 6 feet 4 inches), but did you know that James Madison was only 5 feet 4 inches? That makes him the shortest president in American history! On the other end of the spectrum, Zachary Taylor was a towering figure at 6 feet 4 inches, just like Lincoln.
4. Unusual Jobs Held by US Presidents – Before they were elected to office, many presidents held jobs that might seem unusual today. For example, Ronald Reagan worked as a lifeguard before becoming an actor, while Franklin Pierce ran a bowling alley! And let’s not forget Bill Clinton, who once worked as a DJ at a local radio station.
5. Married to Their Cousins: Incestuous Relationships in the White House – Believe it or not, several U.S. presidents were married to their cousins. John Tyler, for instance, wed his first cousin Letitia Christian, while Benjamin Harrison married another distant relative, Mary Scott Lord Dimmick. Although incest laws vary from state to state, marrying your cousin is generally legal in the United States.
6. Surprising Facts about Presidential Pets – Many presidents have owned pets during their time in office, but some of those animals had quite interesting lives. For example, Calvin Coolidge’s pet raccoon, Rebecca, was known for stealing food from guests at official dinners! And Herbert Hoover’s son had two alligators as pets, which lived in a bathtub in the White House.
7. Weird Habits of US Presidents – Some presidents had quirks that could be considered downright strange. For example, Woodrow Wilson liked to eat apple pie for breakfast every morning, while Dwight Eisenhower enjoyed playing golf barefoot. And then there’s Lyndon B. Johnson, who reportedly used to take naps fully clothed in his underwear.
8. How Many Presidents Were Assassinated – Unfortunately, four U.S. presidents have been assassinated while in office: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy. There have also been several attempts on the lives of other presidents, including Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford.
9. Which President was Almost Impeached for Masturbating in Public – During the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, there were rumors that he had impregnated one of his slaves, Sally Hemings. While this claim remains unproven, what is certain is that he was almost impeached after being caught masturbating in public! Luckily for him, the incident was kept quiet and never made it into the press.