Official Pass &Things That Make You Say Hmmm?

Did you know you are invited to Bloggington D.C. today for Inauguration Day festivities? Click the official Cyber Pass to be a part of this historical event.



In honor of the "Day," here are some little known facts about past presidents.

At his inauguration, Washington had only one tooth. At various times he wore dentures made of human teeth, animal teeth, ivory or even lead. Never wood.
(John) Adams was the great-great-grandson of John and Priscilla Alden, pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620. Older that any other president at his death, he lived 90 years, 247 days.
(Thomas) Jefferson was the first president to shake hands with guests. Previously people bowed to Presidents.
James Madison: First president to wear trousers rather than knee breeches. He stood 5 feet 4 inches, the shortest president.
James Monroe: First president to ride on a steamboat. First U.S. Senator to become president. First inaugural to be held outdoors. His daughter was the first to be married in the White House. The U.S. Marine ban played at his second inaugural and every inauguration since.
(John Quincy) Adams swam nude (weather permitting) in the Potomac River every day. First elected president not to receive either the most electoral college votes or popular votes. He named one of his sons George Washington.
Andrew Jackson:In 1835 he made the final installment of national debt making Jackson the only president of a debt free United States. He was the only president to serve in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. He was the only president to have been a prisoner of war. He was the first president to have been born in a log cabin. First president to ride a railroad train. Wounded in a duel at the age of 39, Jackson carried the bullet, lodged near his heart, to his grave.
Martin Van Buren: First president born in the United States of America. He and his wife spoke Dutch at home.
(William Henry) Harrison gave the longest inaugural address - one hour 45 minutes. First president to die in office. Inaugurated on March 4, 1841, contracted pneumonia in late March, died in the White House on April 4. Served 30 days.
(John) Tyler served as president without being a member of any political party. He was a grand-uncle of Harry S Truman.
James Knox Polk: Before the advent of anesthetics and antiseptic practices, Polk survived a gallstone operation at age 17.
(Zachary) Taylor served in the regular Army for 40 years and never voted, never belonged to a political party nor took any interest in politics until he ran for president at age 62. He was elected in the first national election held on the same day in all states (November 7, 1848).
Millard Fillmore: No formal education. Fillmore couldn't not read Latin and refused an honorary degree from Oxford University, saying a person shouldn't accept a degree he couldn't read.
Franklin Pierce: Because of religious considerations Pierce affirmed rather than swore the Presidential Oath of Office. He gave his inaugural address from memory, without the aid of notes. He installed the first central heating system in the White House.
James Buchanan: He was never married, so the duties of White House hostess were performed by his niece, Harriet Lane. One of his eyes was nearsighted and the other farsighted. As a result he always cocked his head to the left. Buchanan tired of being president and refused to run for reelection.
Abraham Lincoln: At 6 feet 4 inches he was the tallest president. Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd, had a brother, half-brothers and brothers-in-law who fought in the Confederate Army. Lincoln was the only president to receive a patent, for a device for lifting boats over shoals. He was the first president to wear a beard. His son Robert Todd Lincoln, was in Washington, D.C. when Lincoln was killed, was also on the scene when President Garfield was shot in 1881, and President McKinley was assassinated in 1901. A poll of historians named Lincoln the nation's greatest president. Washington was second.

If you want to read more fun facts about our past presidents click here.