From Squirrel Assassinations To A Dog Named Satan — 13 Facts And Stories That Prove Presidents Are Just As Weird As The Rest Of Us
1. Andrew Jackson’s Parrot Was Kicked Out of His Funeral
Andrew Jackson had a parrot named Poll who was so good at cussing that it got kicked out of his funeral for being too disruptive. Imagine your pet causing a scene at your final goodbye!
2. John Quincy Adams Loved Skinny-Dipping
John Quincy Adams had a unique way to start his mornings. He loved to go skinny-dipping in the Potomac River. Nothing like a refreshing dip to wake you up, right?
3. Calvin Coolidge Had a Pet Raccoon
Calvin Coolidge kept a pet raccoon named Rebecca. She even had her own little house and would walk on a leash. Talk about an unusual pet choice!
4. Thomas Jefferson Invented the Swivel Chair
Thomas Jefferson didn’t just write the Declaration of Independence; he also invented the swivel chair! Next time you spin around in your office chair, give a nod to Jefferson.
5. Teddy Roosevelt’s Family Had a Zoo
Teddy Roosevelt’s family practically had a zoo in the White House. They had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, snakes, birds, a badger, and even a pony. Busy household, huh?
6. Herbert Hoover’s Sons Had Two Pet Alligators
Herbert Hoover’s sons had two pet alligators that roamed the White House grounds. Can you imagine running into an alligator on the lawn?
7. James Buchanan Had an Elephant Gifted by the King of Siam
James Buchanan received an elephant as a gift from the King of Siam. While it’s unclear if he kept it, it’s definitely one of the more exotic presidential presents.
8. Abraham Lincoln Created the Secret Service on the Day of His Assassination
Abraham Lincoln signed the legislation creating the Secret Service on the very day he was assassinated. Unfortunately, it wasn’t established to protect the president until later.
9. John F. Kennedy Could Read 1,200 Words a Minute
JFK was known for his speed-reading skills. He could read about 1,200 words per minute, which is about four times faster than the average person!
10. Lyndon B. Johnson Loved Showing Off His Surgery Scar
Lyndon B. Johnson had a habit of showing off his gallbladder surgery scar to anyone who would look. It became quite the conversation starter.
11. Richard Nixon Owned a Bowling Alley
Richard Nixon had a one-lane bowling alley installed in the White House basement. Who knew he loved bowling that much?
12. Jimmy Carter Reported a UFO Sighting
Before becoming president, Jimmy Carter reported seeing a UFO in 1969. He later said it was likely a military aircraft, but the story still fascinates many.
13. Ronald Reagan Carried Jelly Beans Everywhere
Ronald Reagan had a sweet tooth for jelly beans. He always had a jar of them on hand and even kept them in the Oval Office.
These quirky facts prove that even the most powerful people can have some pretty weird habits and stories. Just goes to show, presidents are human too!
