Presidential Fun Facts

On this Presidents Day, we celebrate all forty-six men who have dedicated their lives to public service, sitting in the Oval Office and serving the American people the best way they can. No matter political opinions they all served us through one of the most thankless jobs in the country, and today we honor these men by sharing several interesting aspects about each one, from the most famous to those who are a little less well known.

George Washington

While many believe that our founding president had wooden dentures for teeth, this fact is actually a myth. His dentures were actually made of gold, ivory and even animal and human teeth.

John Adams

Before he died on Independence Day in 1826, John Adams muttered the words “Thomas Jefferson survives,” unaware that his friend had also died hours earlier. They along with James Monroe all died on July 4.

Thomas Jefferson

The Declaration of Independence’s writer was a certified book-nerd, owning thousands of them in multiple languages- even Latin! He sold over ten thousand of them to the Library of Congress before his death.

James Madison

James Madison and his wife Dolley were both lovers of ice cream, even having a "House of Ice Cream" built on their property.

James Monroe

James Monroe attended the coronation of Napoleon as Emperor while serving as the ambassador to the United Kingdom.

John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams often enjoyed skinny-dipping in the Potomac River at early hours in the morning.

Andrew Jackson

While almost every President has owned a pet, Andrew Jackson was the first to own a parrot named Poll. He taught this bird to swear... which seems very on-brand for the "Old Hickory" president.

Martin Van Buren

In his campaign for president, Martin Van Buren is credited as the one to popularize the term “ok.” The word original meant Old Kinderhook, which is where he was from and eventually generated its current meaning of something being alright.

William Henry Harrison

After giving the longest presidential inauguration speech of all time in pouring rain, William Henry Harrison became the first president to die in office after catching pneumonia. He was also president for the shortest period of time, only being in office for thirty days.

John Tyler

John Tyler was an avid violin player, and was even attempting to become a concert player before being convinced to study law.

James K. Polk

While running for office, Polk actually promised that he would not seek a second term if he were to win the presidency. He would keep his promise upon the completion of his first term.

Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor was nominated by his party for president without him being present or even with knowledge that any of it was occurring.

Millard Fillmore

Millard Fillmore married his own academy teacher when he was a student at New Hope Academy at nineteen years old.