Here are even more fascinating and strange facts about U.S. Presidents:
1. Ronald Reagan once killed a mountain lion with a lifesaver’s noodle. In 1964, as a governor of California, Reagan caught a mountain lion poaching on his ranch. He had no gun, but he picked up a lifesaver’s noodle and hit the batista enough times to kill it.
2. George Washington had wooden teeth. However, it’s not entirely true. Out of his 28 teeth, only one was made of wood – ivory and human teeth held with gold springs, denture adhesive, and sometimes wire were also used.
3. William Henry Harrison gave the longest inaugural speech in U.S. History. It lasted one hour and 45 minutes in cold weather without a coat, and he caught pneumonia and died 31 days later, making his presidency the shortest.
4. Chester A. Arthur was an accomplished tailor before becoming a politician. He worked as a clerk at a men’s clothing store and learned the trade to become a journeyman tailor. With his skills, Chester A. Arthur earned the nickname “Elegant Arthur”.
5. James Polk was so determined to be President that he campaigned for office from his deathbed, ensuring his legacy in history books.
6. Zachary Taylor died from an illness caused by eating raw, watermelon. He suffered from food poisoning, and some speculate that it was from bacteria in the watermelon rind that he ate.
7. Franklin Pierce had an obsession with gambling. He spent his first night in the White House playing cards and wagered thousands of dollars.
8. Woodrow Wilson was a talented flutist. He played the flute in his youth, and as an adult, he played it occasionally for relaxation.
9. Richard Nixon was terrified of flying. He had to take anti-anxiety medication before boarding and pushed buttons to regain control of the plane while flying to meet the queen in 1969.
10. Millard Fillmore never graduated from college, but he did earn an honorary degree from Toledo University in 1862.
11. Herbert Hoover collected over two million products during his time as President. He started his collection as a child to impress his mother since his father was frequently absent.
12. George W. Bush occasionally played his cowboy boots like drums or cymbals during speeches. He uses this comical act, known as “boot siege”, to set the tempo; it was were popular in the 1970s bands.
13. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on Independence Day in 1826, the exact 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
14. John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, became the sixth President of the United States. He also served as a minister to the Netherlands, Prussia, and England, and stood for Congress 17 times, winning all but one election.
15. Gerald Ford failed physics in college and was twice voted “Least Likely To Succeed” in high school. However, his classmates also picked him to succeed as president.
That’s it for now, but these are just a few of the fascinating facts that highlight how unique and intriguing America’s leaders are.
