While most Americans celebrate Presidents Day Weekend by relaxing and being lazy, we want to make sure that you guys actually learn something. With that in mind, we collected lesser-known facts about the leaders of this nation. Sure, everyone knows the story about President Taft getting stuck in the bathtub, but did you know about Benjamin Harrison's fear of touching light switches? Or FDR's movie credit? Or Gerald Ford's modeling days? So set aside your political allegiances and take a brief moment to read up on our country's presidents. For without them, we would not have the third Monday of February off from work.
1. Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) is the only U.S. president who was also a licensed bartender. He was co-owner of Berry and Lincoln, a saloon in Springfield, Illinois.
2. The only president to be unanimously elected was George Washington (1732-1799). He also refused to accept his presidential salary, which was $25,000 a year.
3. Because the KKK was a powerful political force, Truman was encouraged to join the organization. According to some accounts, he was inducted, though he was "never active.” Other accounts claim that though he gave the KKK a $10 membership fee, he demanded it back and was never inducted or initiated.
4. Grover Cleveland was the only president in history to hold the job of a hangman. He was once the sheriff of Erie County, New York, and twice had to spring the trap at a hanging
5. The "S” in Harry S Truman doesn’t stand for anything; therefore, there is no period after his middle initial.
6. Lincoln Logs are named after Abraham Lincoln and the log cabin where he was born. John Lloyd Wright, son of famous architect Francis Lloyd Wright, invented them.
7. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams once traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace. While there, they took a knife to one of Shakespeare’s chairs so they could take home some wood chips as souvenirs.
8. James Madison and Thomas Jefferson were once arrested together for taking a carriage ride in the countryside of Vermont on a Sunday, which violated the laws of that state. 2. Andrew Johnson is the only tailor ever to be president. As president, he would typically stop by a tailor shop to say hello. He would wear only the suits that he made himself.
9.Teddy Bears are named after U.S. President, Teddy Roosevelt
10. "Teddy Bears” were so named when Theodore "Teddy” Roosevelt (1858-1919) refused to shoot a small bear cub one day. The incident was reported in the news, which inspired a toy manufacture to come out with the cute stuffed animals.
9.Teddy Bears are named after U.S. President, Teddy Roosevelt
10. "Teddy Bears” were so named when Theodore "Teddy” Roosevelt (1858-1919) refused to shoot a small bear cub one day. The incident was reported in the news, which inspired a toy manufacture to come out with the cute stuffed animals.
11. George Washington never lived in the White House. The capital was actually located in Philadelphia and other cities when Washington was president. He is also the only president who didn’t represent a political party.
12. James Abram Garfield (1831-1881) is the first president to ever talk on the phone. When he spoke to Alexander Graham Bell, who was at the other end 13 miles away, he said: "Please speak a little more slowly.”
13. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C.
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