Fun Facts About Presidents Day You Might Never Knew
Presidents Day conjures images of staid historical figures on currency and monuments. But beyond the solemnity lies a world of weird and wacky fun facts about Presidents Day.
This holiday wasn’t originally about Washington or Lincoln. In 1879, it was established to honor George Washington’s birthday on February 22nd. In the 1960s, Congress proposed moving it to the third Monday of February as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This conveniently placed the holiday between February 12th, Lincoln’s birthday, and Washington’s on the 22nd, leading to the combined celebration of both presidents.
So let’s set aside the pennies and five dollar bills to uncover the stranger side of the American presidency. From odd habits to unusual pets, these fun facts about Presidents Day add some color to the stony facades.
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Presidential Quirks and Oddities
Taft’s Tub Troubles
One of the fun facts about Presidents Day is Taft’s Tub Troubles. William Howard Taft was the heaviest president at over 300 pounds. Custom bathtubs were installed in the White House to accommodate his large size. However, stories of him actually getting stuck are likely exaggerated legends that emerged later.
Jefferson’s Inventive Chair
Thomas Jefferson added modifications like a writing arm and swivel mechanism to his Windsor chair while drafting the Declaration of Independence. These adjustable features provided convenience for his work, a quirky addition to the fun facts about Presidents Day.
Buchanan’s Linguistic Limbo
James Buchanan faced criticism for his first inaugural address in 1857. However, there is no evidence he switched to giving speeches in other languages afterwards.
Teddy’s Wild World
Theodore Roosevelt had various pets, including the badger Josiah. During his presidency, the White House became a menagerie. However, there is no confirmation he had a coyote named Skip.
Roosevelt went on a bear hunt but declined to shoot a trapped bear. This later inspired the teddy bear toy, another one of the fun facts about Presidents Day.
Coolidge’s Catnaps and Calms
Calvin Coolidge had the nickname “Silent Cal.” He was known for long sleep hours and afternoon naps.
Presidents and Food
The dietary preferences of U.S. presidents are also fun facts about Presidents Day. U.S. presidents have had favorite foods that shaped White House menus, like Jefferson’s French cuisine and Lincoln’s simple tastes. However, there is no verification they explicitly demanded their personal food cravings.
Garfield’s Banana Bonanza
James Garfield had an exceptionally large appetite. His favorite food by far was bananas, which he ate constantly.
The portly president started each day with a large banana-based breakfast. Banana fritters, mashed bananas with milk, and bananas stuffed with eggs were regular Garfield favorites. He liked bananas so much that he had a special heated banana room built near the White House conservatory.
Cleveland’s Lobster Extravaganza
Grover Cleveland also possessed a legendary presidential appetite. His passion was for extravagant seafood meals.
During a trip to Cape Cod, Cleveland managed to put away a whopping 38 lobsters in one sitting. He polished off this oceanic feast as a casual solo meal, establishing his record seafood consumption.
Eisenhower’s Cottage Cheese Craze
Dwight D. Eisenhower fueled his long days with a modest lunch–a bowl of cottage cheese. But as president, he demanded it be customized.
The White House kitchen prepared special cottage cheese per Eisenhower’s exact specifications. It was blended with milk, salt, pepper, and crushed pineapple molded into small balls. This satisfied Ike’s simple tastes between meetings and appointments.
Reagan’s Jelly Bean Diplomacy
Ronald Reagan first developed a taste for jelly beans during his acting years when he relied on them for energy between movie shoots.
As president, Reagan always kept a jar of jelly beans on his Oval Office desk. The colorful candies also played a diplomatic role. Reagan offered them to politicians and negotiating partners to break the ice during tense discussions.
Obama’s Chicago Cravings
Obama preferred New York pizza over Chicago deep dish.
Presidential Pets
Almost all American presidents have kept pets at the White House. From dogs to donkeys, wild animals to unusual critters, these companions have been a source of joy and comfort during tense times.
Washington’s Donkey Diplomacy
In 1784, Washington received a donkey named Royal Gift from Spain’s King Charles III.
Teddy’s Menagerie of Marvels
In addition to rambunctious bears and badgers, Theodore Roosevelt gathered quite an eclectic collection of presidential pets. His six children collaborated with their father to fill the White House with animals.
The Roosevelt family cared for snakes, flying squirrels, ponies, rabbits, cats, rats, dogs, and a one-legged rooster during their tenure. Their home often resembled a bustling zoo.
Coolidge’s Raccoon Remedy
Calvin Coolidge had a raccoon pet named Rebecca.
JFK’s Canine Comrade
John F. Kennedy had a dog named Pushinka, from Soviet Premier Khrushchev.
Clinton’s Catwalk Kings
Bill Clinton had pets Socks the cat and Buddy the dog in office.
Presidential Mishaps and Blunders
Despite their esteemed office, American presidents are still human like the rest of us. These humorous anecdotes from White House history remind us they are not infallible.
Harrison’s Inaugural Icicles
William Henry Harrison gave a long inauguration speech in cold weather and died of pneumonia shortly after.
Johnson’s Explosive Experiment
There are no credible records of Andrew Johnson attempting a gunpowder prank.
Nixon’s Limo Limbo
Richard Nixon injured his knee in a limousine door in 1960.
Bush’s Pretzel Peril
Food proved precarious for even savvy commanders-in-chief. While watching football in 2002, George W. Bush began choking on a pretzel during a Super Bowl party.
Though discreet at first, Secret Service agents intervened when Bush fainted from lack of air. They provided emergency medical assistance to dislodge the salty snack.
After an examination, doctors determined no harm was done. But the odd episode showed even mundane foods can become unlikely presidential hazards.
Ford’s Stairway Stumbles
Gerald Ford fell down the Air Force One stairs on several occasions.
Bonus Fun Facts About Presidents Day
Beyond weird pets and wild anecdotes, there are endless enlightening tidbits about the presidency, including fun facts about Presidents Day. Here are a few fascinating pieces of presidential history.
Holiday History Hijinks
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act sought to establish more three-day weekends for federal workers. This led to the combination of Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays into the floating Presidents Day holiday.
Some argue this dilutes the significance of honoring each important leader separately. But others enjoy the inclusive spirit and sales associated with Presidents Day.
White House Wonders
The sprawling 55,000 square foot White House is a mansion of magnificent proportions. Beyond its 132 rooms, it holds a substantial underground network.
Beneath the lawns sprawls an extensive bunker and tunnel system designed for continuity of government during a national crisis. Plus, a secret bowling alley was installed in the basement in 1947 by President Truman.
Bowling Beyond the Bureaucracy
Harry Truman installed a bowling alley in the White House.
Read on: Fascinating Facts about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington That Will Leave You in Awe
Fun Facts About Presidents Day – The Human Side of the Presidency
The staid portraits of America’s presidents lining elementary school walls often feel distant from our daily lives. However, exploring fun facts about Presidents Day brings these historical figures closer to our contemporary world. Peeking behind the curtain through lighthearted anecdotes and factoids humanizes these larger-than-life figures.
Our leaders were not perfect marble busts; they were spirited and flawed people who loved, ate, invented, stumbled, and turned their homes into havens of mischief and mirth. They experienced the full range of human emotions and activities, despite the dignified façade of the presidency. Even the most regal-looking portrait contained a real person with quirks, flaws, and passions.
As we reflect on this Presidents Day, take a break from the stoney faces on Mount Rushmore to glimpse the humor and humanity of the White House. Through a new lens, we may realize the dignified presidency is not always so serious after all. The legends of presidential greatness can benefit from adding nuance, color, and lightheartedness. In exploring the fun facts behind the office, we connect to the humanity behind the icons.
