His wife had German origin on both sides of her family. President who had been an employee of Andrew Jackson, as he worked as Jackson’s secretary during his days as a Senator and then General.įillmore is the only President with English ancestry on both sides of his family. Millard Fillmoreįillmore was the first president to take his oath of office using a bible from the Library of Congress. He was called “Old Rough and Ready” for his lackadaisical appearance and often fought without formal training or a battle plan! 13. Zachary TaylorĮven though he never drank alcohol, Taylor had a reputation for being a war hero. president who graduated from college (the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). He was the first-ever “dark horse” candidate, meaning his campaign started gaining momentum after other candidates had already been chosen. Instead, he served as a caretaker until a new President could be elected. Tyler was the first president to assume office due to his predecessor’s death and the first vice president not to succeed as President. “I regret nothing, but am sorry I am about to leave my friends.” 10. Hermans and engraved by John Sartain, Phila I consent to receiving emails and personalized ads. history- he died of pneumonia on April 4, 1841. It was also the shortest presidency in U.S. William Henry Harrison was the first president to have his photo taken while in office. Van Buren’s father had a farm and often used the phrase “docile as an old jackass” to describe stubborn animals, making Van Buren’s political affiliation “Old Kinderhook = Donkey.” 9. This nickname is interesting because the symbol of the Democratic Party today is a donkey (which they call an ass). Van Buren‘s nickname was “Old Kinderhook” because he hailed from Kinderhook, New York. Jackson became the first president whose parents were both born outside the British Isles.

He lived with a tailor and served as an apprentice to a saddlemaker.

He never even knew his Dad, and his Mom passed away shortly after giving birth to him. Jackson‘s mother and father died before he met them. To avoid this man, Adams grabbed Louisa Smith from Ohio and used her as a human shield until help arrived! 7. John Quincy Adamsĭuring his presidency, a deranged house painter tried to shoot and kill President Adams in the Capitol Building’s House Chamber. He was also the last President to wear traditional Revolutionary-style clothing. Monroe‘s inauguration was the first ever held on the East Portico of the Capitol Building. President Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to explore this new territory, and they set off with their expedition on May 14, 1804. When James Madison was Secretary of State, he bought the Louisiana territory for just 3 cents per acre! Back then, it was just a big piece of land on the other side of the Mississippi River. However, when he died in 1826, his estate was $107,000 in debt (about 2 million dollars today). He borrowed them from friends or asked the government to purchase books for him because he didn’t want to spend his own money. Jefferson was brilliant and could speak five languages: Greek, Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish.Īlso, he never bought a new book. President James Monroe, elected during this 50th anniversary, gave both men a state funeral.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day, July 4, 1826- exactly fifty years after signing the Declaration of Independence. George Washington, the first president of the United States, loved to ride horses and owned several. Washington was in the liquor business and owned several distilleries, as well as being one of the biggest whiskey producers. Washington was well-known as a talented dancer and was admired for his movement on the dance floor. However, this part of the will was struck down by Mount Vernon’s executor, who deemed freeing the slaves as too risky because of their “depraved habits in the arts of running away.” Washington’s teeth were made out of gold, lead, elephant, and donkey teeth.Īs if that wasn’t weird enough, in his will, he also requested that his slaves be freed after both he and his wife died.

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