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Hail to the Bizarre – Weird Presidential Trivia
In honor of Presidents Day, we thought we would share some of the lesser-known bizarre and intriguing factoids about our elected presidential leaders. We think you will agree, truth is indeed stranger than fiction!
John Adams – Adams and his family wandered aimlessly in the woods for hours before finally finding their way to their new home at the White House.
Thomas Jefferson – Writing his own epitaph, Jefferson did not even mention his stint as president.
James Madison – Weighing in at a lean 100 pounds, this 5 foot 4 inch tall president was the country’s shortest president.
William Howard Taft – Weighing over 300 pounds, Taft holds the undesirable distinction of being the heaviest U.S. president. Embarrassingly, Taft once got stuck in the White House bathtub. To avoid a repeat of the awkward fiasco, a new tub – four times the normal size – was installed.
William Henry Harrison – This long-winded politician gave the longest inaugural address in history while standing in inclement weather without an overcoat or hat. He died of pneumonia a month later.
Millard Fillmore – Fillmore and his cabinet members helped fight the Library of Congress fire.
James Buchanan – When the Prince of Wales visited the White House with his oversized entourage, Buchanan was forced to sleep in the hallway.
Grover Cleveland – Cleveland was known for personally answering incoming phone calls to the White House.
Woodrow Wilson – Sheep were raised for wool on the White House lawn during Wilson’s term.
Warren G. Harding – Harding wins the prize for the biggest presidential feet – he wore size 14 shoes.
Calvin Coolidge – Coolidge refused to use the telephone during his presidential term.
Herbert Hoover – Hoover donated his salary to charity.
Harry S. Truman – This musical president rose before dawn each day for two hours of piano practice.
Gerald Ford – Previous jobs held by Ford include working as a fashion model and a Yellowstone park ranger.
Jimmy Carter – An accomplished speed reader, Carter was clocked at reading 2,000 words per minute.
Barack Obama – Known as “O’Bomber” during his high school basketball days, Obama collects Spiderman and Conan the Barbarian comic books.
Want to read more fascinating stories about our presidents? Check these out!
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Farmers' Almanac Long Range Weather
May 16th - May 19th
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Showers, then fair, cool weather. Windy, rainy for Virginia, Maryland, then clearing. Improving at Pimlico for Preakness Stakes.
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Showers Great Lakes, then fair and cool.
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Considerably cloudy, chilly, with showery rains South.
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Threatening skies Colorado into Kansas. Elsewhere, unsettled initially, then gradual clearing.
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Showery most regions, then fair, cool. Unseasonably chilly for Gulf Coast.
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Unsettled, with scattered showers, then partial clearing.
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Unsettled; showers most areas, then clearing skies.
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