Presidents

Zachary Taylor voted for the first time when he was 62 years old. He wasn’t even able to vote during his own election. He served as a soldier who was relocated so often that he never established his legal residency until his retirement.

William Taft was the heaviest US president. He weighed 332 pounds.

William Henry Harrison was the only US president who studied to become a medical doctor.

William Henry Harrison was president for only 31 days. He died of pneumonia.

When the White House was built, it was constructed using freestone, which was a porous material, making the structure prone to water damage. The masons sealed the freestone with a mixture of rice, glue, and salt. It was the house’s first coating of white paint.

Warren G. Harding gambled off a set of White House china.

Ulysses Grant was fined $20 for speeding in his carriage.

Thomas Jefferson spoke six different languages.

Theodore Roosevelt was the first ever president to ride a car during his term. His cousin and the 32nd US president was first to ride an airplane.

The title “First Lady” was coined in 1849 when President Taylor referred to Dolley Madison as such during her state funeral. It became a popular title in 1877 when used to refer to Lucy Ware Webb Hayes. Jackie Kennedy including several other First Ladies were said to have disliked the title.

Some US presidents never attended college, such as Abraham Lincoln, Andre Jackson, Zachary Taylor, George Washington, Martin van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Grover Cleveland, and Millard Fillmore.

Rutherford B. Hayes was the first US president to use a phone. His phone number was 1.

Ronald Reagan was a movie actor. He was also the first president to have worn a Nazi uniform (in one of his films).

Richard M. Nixon suggested a play to the Miami Dolphins during the Super Bowl VI.

Presidents Monroe, Adams, and Jefferson all died on July 4. Coolidge was born on July 4.

President John Quincy Adams had an alligator as a pet. He kept in the East Room of the White House.

Millard Fillmore was the first president to have a stepmother.

Millard Fillmore was the first ever US president to have a stove and running water inside the White House.

John Tyler had 15 children.

John F. Kennedy was the youngest president to be elected and was the first Catholic president.

Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer.

James Polk was the first ever president to have his photograph taken.

James Madison was the smallest president at 5 feet 4 inches, and under 100 lbs.

James Garfield was the first left-handed president.

Ice cream was one of George Washington's favorite foods.

Herbert Hoover spoke Chinese to his wife in order to keep their conversations private.

Harry Truman was a haberdasher (a merchant of men’s clothing).

Harry S. Truman read all books in his hometown’s library.

Gerald R. Ford chose to hold his daughter's prom in the White House.

Franklin Pierce memorized his entire inaugural speech, 3,319 words.

Episcopalian and Presbyterian are the most common religions among US presidents.

Eight presidents were born as British subjects including George Washington, John Adams, William Harrison, John Quincy Adams, James Monroe, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Andrew Jackson.

Chester A. Arthur liked to change his pants several times a day. He owned 80 pairs of them.

Benjamin Harrison was the first president to have a Christmas tree and lights in the White House.

Before Theodore Roosevelt came into office, the White House was referred to as the President's Palace, Executive Mansion, or the President’s House. In 1901, Roosevelt officially called it the White House.

Andrew Johnson was a tailor.

Abraham Lincoln was the tallest US president at 6 feet and 4 inches.

14 presidents served first as US Vice Presidents. John Adams, Theodore Roosevelt Thomas Jefferson, Calvin Coolidge, Martin Van Buren, Zachary Tyler, Gerald Ford, Millard Fillmore, Chester Arthur, Andrew Johnson, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson, and George H.W. Bush.