Discover the Quirky Side of History: Top 8 Fun and Surprising Facts About James Buchanan

1. Deer-like Equestrian President

Oh, deer! It seems President James Buchanan wasn't just leading the herd in politics, but also happened to be quite the equestrian enthusiast: During his career as the 15th President of the United States, Buchanan was affectionately known as "Old Buck," a nickname originally given by his military friends for his resemblance to a male deer, and he even owned a horse with the same moniker, which he often rode during his time as Secretary of State.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. The Original Bearded President

Before beards made a comeback as a hipster staple, only one president dared to sport a fashionable facial fuzz: James Buchanan was the last American president to have facial hair in office until William McKinley took the helm in 1897, donning a mustache that could give Grover Cleveland a run for his money.
Source => pinestrawmag.com

Did you know that the secret to the perfect slicked-back hairstyle was mastered by a U.S. president in the 1800s? Discover Martin Van Buren's distinctive hair wizardry and how he avoided wig-wearing traditions! 🎩💇‍♂️✨

=> Fun Facts about Martin-Van-Buren

3. The Bachelor with a First (Niece) Lady

Who needs a White House wedding to have a rocking First Lady when your niece can play the part: Harriet Lane Johnston, niece of President James Buchanan, served as the official White House hostess during his presidency, making her the first and only woman to fulfill the duties of First Lady while the president was unmarried.
Source => whitehouse.gov

4. White House's Most Eligible Bachelor

For those seeking the most eligible bachelor in 1857, look no further than the White House: James Buchanan was, in fact, the last bachelor to serve as President of the United States, living the solo life in the presidential abode from 1857 to 1861.
Source => dcghosts.com

5. Buchanan's Royal Firework Distraction

In a true display of "keep calm and carry on," James Buchanan threw the ultimate royal shindig in the midst of impending doom: Welcoming Prince Albert Edward, later King Edward VII, to the United States in 1860 – the first British royal to visit the White House – Buchanan sought to unite the nation teetering on the brink of civil war with a spectacular fireworks display and state dinner in the prince's honor, giving Americans a brief, sparkly distraction from political turmoil.
Source => whitehousehistory.org

6. Niece-turned-First Lady Harriet Lane

Though James Buchanan played the field as the only lifelong bachelor president, he still had a leading lady with First Lady vibes: his doting niece, Harriet Lane Johnston, hosted White House events and charmed the nation during his tenure, with her uncle even overseeing her education and supporting her eventual marriage to Baltimore banker Henry Elliott Johnston.
Source => whitehouse.gov

7. Civil War-Inducing Decision-maker

James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States, may have been missing a few fries from his Happy Meal when it came to the delicate art of decision-making: Little did he know that his push for a Supreme Court ruling in favor of slavery would lead the country into the inferno that was the Civil War rather than uniting it as he so optimistically imagined.
Source => smithsonianmag.com

8. Buchanan's Rooftop Greenhouse Obsession

Before turning over a new leaf took root in the Oval Office: James Buchanan was the first U.S. president to install a greenhouse on the roof of the White House in 1857, upon the suggestion of his niece and White House hostess Harriet Lane, later being replaced by a grander iron and wood structure, showcasing Buchanan's fervent love for plants and flowers as an evergreen companion.
Source => whitehousehistory.org