The president of the United States most powerful men in the world aren’t without quirks. From strange habits to little known life accomplishments, these executives of yesteryear shed light on forgotten history. Find out how peculiarities shaped these American fellows’ time in office.
Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge was sworn into office by candlelight in Vermont. His father, a public notary, officiated.
Chester A. Arthur
Chester A. Arthur requested a global standardized time and was instrumental in the recognizing
Greenwich as the Prime Meridian.
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was a stout 5’6 and had a reputation for being an impeccable dresser.
Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter is the only president to win a Grammy.
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson was the first president to have a PhD.
William Howard Taft
Due to William Howard Taft’s girth, he was known to fall asleep at public functions, particularly after consuming a meal.
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton and Steven Spielberg worked together on George McGovern’s campaign in 1972.
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon tried to make it big in the frozen orange juice business in 1938.
Lyndon Baines Johnson
Everyone in Lyndon Baines Johnson’s family had LBJ initials.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson loved archaeology and has a mammoth named after him.
Teddy Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt was blind in his left eye after a too-rough boxing match at the White House.
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was invited to go to the Ford Theater with President Lincoln, but did not attend on that fateful evening.
George W. Bush
George W. Bush was the head cheerleader of his high school cheerleading squad.
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy powered through speeches, and set a record for the fastest delivery at 327 words per minute in 1961.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln created the Secret Service the same day he was assassinated at the Ford Theater.