Discovering Ike: Top 8 Amazing Fun Facts About Dwight D. Eisenhower You Never Knew!

1. Five-Star General Chef

Who says five-star generals can't whip up a storm in the kitchen? Dwight D. Eisenhower was as good a cook as he was a strategist, whipping out dishes fit to impress even the likes of Churchill: Eisenhower had quite the culinary skillset, often cooking for family and guests such as Winston S. Churchill. He developed his interest in cooking while caring for his family during his brother's illness and continued to gather techniques throughout his life. Ike enjoyed grilling chicken at the White House, but wasn't known for a particular prowess in cooking steaks or barbecue.
Source => mcall.com

2. FOMO Tank Commander

Eisenhower had a major case of FOMO: Dwight D. Eisenhower was all set to leave for France as a temporary lieutenant colonel in command of an armored unit in November, having previously organized the 301st Tank Battalion and served as commander of the Tank Corps at Camp Colt. But alas, the armistice was signed before he could embark on this grand adventure. He did, however, serve as a tank observer for the First Transcontinental Motor Convoy in 1919 and later reunited with George S. Patton to establish the Infantry Tank School at Camp Meade.
Source => prologue.blogs.archives.gov

Did you know that former rival Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both passed away on the same day, July 4, 1826 - the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence? Discover their unique story and how their animosity transformed into an unexpected friendship. 🇺🇸❤️📝

=> Fun Facts about Presidents

3. Presidential Putting Green

In a hole-in-one of presidential proportions, Dwight D. Eisenhower got into the swing of things as he combined his love for golf and office décor like never fore: The 34th President of the United States, with a handicap of 14 to 18, installed a putting green on the White House lawn, despite not being on par with golf legend Arnold Palmer, and even maintained membership at Augusta National, charming fellow golf enthusiasts with his strokes of power and diplomacy!
Source => scga.org

4. "I Like Ike" Earworm

Before there was Justin Bieber's "Baby" and the infectious "Gangnam Style," there was another earworm that made people tap their feet and sing along while helping a future president strut his stuff: Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidential campaign in 1952 had the iconic tune "I Like Ike," penned by none other than Irving Berlin. The catchy jingle, which was an entirely original composition and not a ripoff of "Yankee Doodle," played a crucial role in boosting Eisenhower's popularity and showcasing his charming persona.
Source => baltimoresun.com

5. Athletic President

Eisenhower: the poker-faced horse whisperer who could handle a club even when he wasn't on a golf course. Indeed, he was a president of many athletic talents: From golfing and hunting to fishing and horseback riding, Dwight D. Eisenhower delighted in a range of vigorous outdoor pastimes, often using his Gettysburg farm retreat for calming horse rides and spirited poker matches with his staff.
Source => clintonwhitehouse3.archives.gov

6. Ike's Fashionable Field Jacket

Tailor-made to win hearts and battles: During World War II, General Eisenhower, unsatisfied with the run-of-the-mill combat attire, called upon his personal tailor to snip and sew the Wool Field Jacket Model 1944 into a more dapper and cozy garment. Soon enough, Ike's snazzy modified jacket became the go-to standard issue for US troops, with many soldiers preferring to reserve it for impressing in non-combat situations rather than roughing it up in the field.
Source => americanhistory.si.edu

7. Doodle Diplomacy

Before Picasso doodled on napkins, Eisenhower doodled on national security: Dwight D. Eisenhower was a talented artist in his own right, often expressing his creativity on official documents and meeting agendas. His masterpiece from June 28, 1954, perfectly captures his self-portrait as a powerful leader with mighty gunboats behind him, symbolizing his strong-handed approach in restoring order to Guatemala after CIA-backed forces toppled its government.
Source => theatlantic.com

8. Eisenhower's Artistic Side

It's no secret that Dwight D. Eisenhower was well above par when it came to his presidency, but even leaders of the free world need to indulge in some hole-some hobbies: Eisenhower was an avid golfer and even had a putting green installed on the White House lawn, as well as being a talented painter with his very own art studio built on the grounds, giving new meaning to the term "executive branch."
Source => en.wikipedia.org