Discover the Unexpected: Top 12 Fun and Surprising Facts About Grover Cleveland

1. White House Wedding

In a classic episode of "Bridezilla Meets West Wing," one dashing president traded Oval Office policy for a white gown party: Grover Cleveland became the only U.S. president to get married in the White House when he tied the knot with 21-year-old Frances Folsom in June 1886, making their wedding the first and only presidential nuptials hosted on the executive mansion grounds.
Source => whitehouse.gov

2. Cradle-Snatching President

Talk about cradle-snatching presidential edition: Grover Cleveland first met his future wife Frances Folsom when she was just an infant, and later went on to handle her father's estate, although not becoming her legal guardian as often rumored.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know George Washington's famous dentures were far from wooden? Discover the surprising materials used in his peculiar pearly whites!

=> Fun Facts about George-Washington

3. Blue Room Nuptials

Talk about taking "tying the knot" to a whole new level: Grover Cleveland is the only U.S. president who decided to exchange wedding vows in the Blue Room of the White House on June 2, 1886, making his nuptials to Frances Folsom an exclusive presidential affair!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Veto King

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too – while checking out the menu for the next one: Grover Cleveland not only served two non-consecutive terms as president of the United States, but he also made history by exercising his veto power like a gym-obsessed fitness enthusiast, issuing a whopping 584 vetoes and maintaining his staunch belief in smaller government and self-reliance.
Source => britannica.com

5. Original Foodie President

Grover Cleveland: The Original Foodie and Master of the Culinary Disappearing Act - teleporting out of his own fancy shindigs and vanishing into servants' quarters to chow down on simple dishes like corned beef and cabbage, before re-materializing with a hankering for pickled herring and Swiss cheese: While our 22nd and 24th President was known for his love of food, he often found elaborate meals too pretentious, preferring simpler fare. However, his indulgent habits, such as a love for beer and cigars, later contributed to his ongoing battle with gout and oral cancer.
Source => riverfronttimes.com

6. Boomerang President

Like a boomerang president who just couldn't stay away: Grover Cleveland was the only U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms, first from 1885-1889 and then from 1893-1897, during which he established the Interstate Commerce Act, crushed the Pullman Strike with federal troops, and vetoed more bills than any previous president.
Source => nps.gov

7. Love Shack in the White House

In a matrimonial matrimony of presidential proportions: Grover Cleveland turned the White House into the Love Shack when he became the only sitting president to say "I do" within its hallowed halls, marrying the lovely 21-year-old Frances Folsom in June 1886 during his first term in office.
Source => whitehouse.gov

8. Secret Surgery at Sea

In an age before HIPAA, President Cleveland took "mum's the word" to a whole new level when it came to his surgery at sea: Fearing public panic during economic depression, in 1893 Grover Cleveland secretly underwent surgery aboard a yacht to remove a cancerous tumor from the roof of his mouth, taking care not to harm his trademark mustache, which he believed would tip off the public to his ailment. The surgery was a major achievement, leaving no visible scarring and the mustache intact, with a team of six surgeons using ether—anesthesia of the time. It remained a secret for years until a doctor involved in the operation finally spilled the beans.
Source => npr.org

9. Presidential Gym Teacher

Before tackling the gym, it tackled him: Grover Cleveland, best known for his presidential stature and penchant for a good brew, actually began his career as a physical education teacher at the New York Institute for the Blind in Manhattan.
Source => constitutioncenter.org

10. Nail-Biting Victory

In a race worthy of a nail-biting reality TV show finale, good ol' Grover pulled off the ultimate "I'm not here to make friends" move: Grover Cleveland snatched a victory in the 1884 presidential campaign by winning his home state of New York by a mere 1,000 votes, landing him the title of the United States' 22nd President.
Source => guides.loc.gov

11. Baby Ruth Candy Controversy

Craving for a historical confectionery connection? You may feel bamboozled by a Ruth-lethargic twist: The Baby Ruth candy bar isn't named after President Grover Cleveland's daughter, Ruth, as many believe. In a peanuts-shell game, Curtiss Candy Company claimed this sweet deception to dodge royalties owed to baseball legend Babe Ruth. However, alternative theories abound, suggesting the bar was named after an executive's granddaughter or even based on a medallion struck for the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition featuring ol' Grover, his wife, and Baby Ruth herself. Today, this tantalizing treat sports a revamped recipe, minus preservative TBHQ and boasting American-grown, dry-roasted peanuts, keeping our nutty nation united in candy bar admiration.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

12. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde President

Paging Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the White House: Grover Cleveland was the only U.S. President to juggle dual presidencies, holding office as the 22nd and the 24th President, with his non-consecutive terms sandwiched between poor Benjamin Harrison. Known for his honesty, integrity, and presidential tug-of-war with Hawaii, he had quite the raucous time restoring queens and playing referee during the 1894 Pullman Strike.
Source => en.wikipedia.org