Discover the Quirkiest Side of the Oval Office: Top 22 Fun Facts About US Presidents You Never Knew!

1. Jefferson and Adams' Synchronized Demise

They say opposites attract, and in the case of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, it seems their mutual animosity eventually transformed into frenemy-ship, with a side of eerily synced mortality: These once-rival U.S. Presidents reconciled their tumultuous relationship through heartfelt letters and remarkably both passed away on July 4, 1826 - the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, an event they declined to attend, blissfully unaware of the other's demise.
Source => blogs.loc.gov

2. Tiny Madison's Mighty Impact

Though barely taller than a hobbit and likely in need of a step-stool to address his fellow Founding Fathers: James Madison, standing at a petite 5'4", successfully steered the United States into existence as the fourth president, masterminded the drafting of the Constitution, and made use of his scholarly prowess – which included a firm grasp of Latin and classical languages – to shape America's early government, all while being a proud Princeton University alumnus.
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. Monroe Doctrine Party Crasher

Hold onto your wigs and petticoats, boys and girls: James Monroe wasn't trying to keep Europe from crashing the New World party with his famous doctrine! In reality, the Monroe Doctrine was a foreign policy warning to European powers, stopping them from setting up new colonies and puppet governments in the Western Hemisphere. A prime example of its effectiveness was the support of Mexican President Benito Juárez during a revolt against a puppet emperor. It even made a guest appearance during the Cuban Missile Crisis, where the US implemented a naval and air quarantine around Cuba after the Soviets started building missile-launching sites. Let's just say that ol' James wasn't the life of the party, but his doctrine sure knew how to throw its weight around!
Source => archives.gov

4. John Quincy Adams: Skinny-Dipper-in-Chief

Before Michael Phelps donned his Olympic swim cap, there was a Commander-in-Chief wading in the waters of the Potomac, skinny-dipping his way into the annals of history: John Quincy Adams, the sixth American president, regularly embarked on a two-mile walk through Washington, DC, and cooled off with a leisurely dip in the Potomac River - occasionally "au naturel." Although his nude swimming habits are often exaggerated, he did mention encountering fellow swimmers leaving their garments on nearby rocks. Unwavering in his aquatic commitment, he continued his routine even after a dangerous near-drowning incident in 1825, certain of the health benefits he reaped from his river frolicking.
Source => businessinsider.com

5. Andrew Jackson and Thruxton's White House Adventure

Move over, Secretariat: there was another horse that once ruled the racing scene, with the President of the United States as his number one fan! Andrew Jackson loved his speedy stallion so much, he brought him to the White House: Thruxton, the Virginia-born thoroughbred, not only accompanied Jackson upon his election in 1828 but was a constant presence, as the president was a die-hard horse lover, breeder, trainer, and even owner of a track near his Tennessee home, called Clover Bottom.
Source => thehermitage.com

6. Harrison: Canoe Conqueror

When Old Tippecanoe wasn't canoeing around: William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States, showcased his military prowess by dismantling an Indian confederacy and putting an end to the famed Indian leader Tecumseh, ultimately leading to a major expansion of American territory in the Midwest.
Source => whitehouse.gov

7. Polk: Dark Horse Dynasty

Talk about a real-life "Game of Thrones" in the United States: James K. Polk swooped in as the first "dark horse" candidate to win a major political party's presidential nomination after Martin Van Buren couldn't muster enough support due to his anti-Texas annexation stance. Polk came, conquered, and kept his word to serve just one term, ticking off his campaign promises like a boss and making quite the mark on foreign and domestic policy.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Old Whitey: The President's Horse

Who needs the Knights of the Round Table when you've got Old Whitey riding to your funeral: Zachary Taylor's funeral procession in Washington D.C. drew an estimated 100,000 people as the presidential hearse, drawn by eight white horses, was followed by military units, dignitaries, the president's family, and Taylor's own beloved horse "Old Whitey". The two-mile-long procession ended at what is now the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery and Monument in Louisville, Kentucky.
Source => millercenter.org

9. Abigail Fillmore's White House Book Club

In a plot twist worthy of a Jane Austen novel, Abigail Fillmore transformed the White House into a haven for novel enthusiasts: As First Lady, she established the first White House Library, spending $2,000 authorized by Congress to personally select books and create a literary salon that served as both a popular reception room and a well-read paradise.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Lincoln: Wrestling President

Before stepping into the White House, Honest Abe was bodyslamming his way to glory on the wrestling mat: Abraham Lincoln was a county champion wrestler with around 300 victories and even received a nod from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1992, joining the ranks of fellow wrestling Presidents like George Washington, Franklin Pierce, Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt, and William Taft.
Source => olympics.com

11. Hayes: Scandals, Bullets, and Beards

Before Rutherford B. Hayes became "Old Sober-Sides" of American politics, he was up to his neck in scandals, bullets, and beards (yes, beards!): As the 19th President of the United States, Hayes survived multiple wounds during the Civil War, climbed up the political ladder as a Congressman and three-time Governor of Ohio, and stirred up controversies in his own Cabinet while fighting for the rights of African Americans and trying to win over the South.
Source => whitehouse.gov

12. Garfield: Polyglot President

Who needs Rosetta Stone when you have President Garfield: This brainy commander-in-chief was fluent in Latin and Greek, even managing to campaign in both English and German—though the tales of him scribbling in Latin with the right hand and Greek with the left remain a bit of a stretch!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

13. Gourmet President Chester A. Arthur

When he wasn't running the country, Chester A. Arthur was busy indulging in gastronomical shenanigans, acquiring the tastes of a gourmet rockstar and showcasing an unshakeable constitution at the bar: This pleasure-loving president had quite the palate for fine food, an impressive ability to handle copious amounts of wine and liquor, and a love for cigars and billiards, as revealed in his college archives and by his friend Silas Burt.
Source => muse.union.edu

14. Cleveland's White House Wedding

Talk about a White House honeymoon: Grover Cleveland was the only president to tie the knot in the presidential crib. In June 1886, he wed Frances Folsom, a 21-year-old blushing bride, right under the esteemed roof.
Source => whitehouse.gov

15. McKinley's Tragic Carnation

In a twist worthy of a mafia movie, when you give a carnation, you give a life: William McKinley's political rival handed him a "Lamborn Red" carnation before their debates, sparking an enduring love for the flower which he famously wore on his lapel throughout his career – even until moments before he was fatally shot. The carnation, now Ohio's state flower, pays homage to the president's beloved good luck charm.
Source => ohiostatehouse.org

16. Teddy Roosevelt's Eyebrow-Raising Injury

Talk about a presidential knockout: President Theodore Roosevelt lost much of the sight in one eye after being accidentally struck by his cousin and boxing partner, Dan Tyler Moore, a career U.S. Army officer. Despite the eye injury, Teddy remained pals with Moore, who went on to become a military pioneer, founding the U.S. Army School of Fire, and being the first foreigner to attend the German artillery school.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

17. Taft: President and Chief Justice

Before donning robes and wielding a gavel became the height of presidential fashion: William Howard Taft managed to nab not only the title of the 27th President of the United States from 1909 to 1913 but also the esteemed position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1921 until 1930 – making him the only historical figure to have straddled both seats of power.
Source => whitehouse.gov

18. Harding's Poker-gate China Debacle

Despite having a poker face that could give Lady Gaga a run for her money, President Warren G. Harding's luck wasn't always aces high when it came to poker games with his cabinet members: In a mysterious yet captivating piece of history, President Harding allegedly gambled away a set of White House china in a poker match, although specific details and the veracity of the claim remain as elusive as a winning hand in a high-stakes game.
Source => snopes.com

19. Coolidge's Mechanical Horse Rides

Calvin Coolidge, the White House's own mechanical cowboy, traded in his Stetson for a suit and his steed for an iron stallion: Hidden away in the presidential abode was a petite mechanical horse that Coolidge would often mount, galloping in solitude while sporting a sign that read, "The President requests that he not be disturbed while riding."
Source => sbrhsbreeze.org

20. FDR: Stamp Collector Extraordinaire

Did you know that FDR licked his way to presidency? As a zealous philatelist, he amassed a whopping 1.2 million stamps: in fact, Franklin D. Roosevelt began his collection at just eight years old with stamps passed down from his mother, and he continued to collect even while in office!
Source => fdr.artifacts.archives.gov

21. Truman's Punctuation Predicament

When life throws you the tricky decision of whether to dot or not to dot: Harry S. Truman's middle initial sparked a debate on the use of a period after the "S" in his name. Despite not officially standing for anything, Truman signed his name with a period, and official U.S. Government publications followed suit, cementing the period's place in presidential punctuation.
Source => trumanlibrary.gov

22. Washington's Green Thumb

Whoever said you can't teach an old dog new tricks clearly never met George Washington: he was a horticultural whiz who loved experimenting with diverse plants and veggies in his Mount Vernon garden, which he skillfully designed to achieve a tranquil haven for his mental well-being, all while hosting bountiful feasts with flavors that would make Martha Stewart green with envy.
Source => cookeatshare.com