The desk used by many presidents of the United States was named “Resolute Desk” because it was made from pieces of wood of the HMS Resolute, a English ship discovered by an American in Artica, repaired and sent back to England as a sign of friendship between the two countries.
US Presidents
John F Kennedy Donated his full salary…
John F Kennedy donated his full salary both as president and during his 14 years in congress reaching around $500,000.
JFK was stranded on a desert island…
JFK was stranded on a desert island during WWII, and eventually rescued thanks to a coconut he had carved a distress message into. He later displayed this coconut in the Oval Office.
Lyndon B. Johnson did not become…
Lyndon B. Johnson did not become a rancher until he was 43, but was quite successful. He left his ranch to the American people as a historical site, providing it was maintained as “a working ranch, and not a sterile relic of the past.” To this day the National Park Service breeds Hereford cattle there.
As Pres. Grover Cleveland and his…
As Pres. Grover Cleveland and his wife were moving out of the White House, she told staff to take care of the place because “We are coming back four years from today.” Cleveland won another term and moved back in four years later.
The USS William D. Porter was the only…
The USS William D. Porter was the only vessel in US Navy history to have its entire crew placed under arrest after accidentally firing a live torpedo at a vessel carrying the President of the United States and the Secretary of State.
In 2003, Beyoncé came under fire…
In 2003, Beyoncé came under fire from the Grant Monument Association for dancing in a “patently inappropriate” way on the steps of the tomb of President Ulysses S. Grant. President Grant’s great-grandson defended her saying, “If the old guy were alive, he might have enjoyed it.”
The Hoovers both spoke Mandarin…
The Hoovers both spoke Mandarin. In the White House they would speak in Mandarin to avoid eavesdroppers. To date, Lou Hoover is the only First Lady to speak an Asian language. They were also well versed in Latin; working together to translate “De Re Metallica” a 16th century mining textbook.
Lincoln loved cats so much that he once…
Lincoln loved cats so much that he once fed them from the table during a formal White House dinner. When his wife told him that it was “shameful in front of their guests,” he replied “If the gold fork was good enough for former President James Buchanan, I think it is good enough for Tabby.”
The youngest American First Lady…
The youngest American First Lady was 21 year old Francis Cleveland. She married her godfather, 48 year old President Grover Cleveland who helped raise her after Francis’ father/his good friend died when she was 9. He bought her a baby carriage and doted on her from the moment she was born.
Before he died, FDR proposed…
Before he died, FDR proposed a “Second Bill of Rights,” which included the right to food, housing, clothing, education, medical care, and recreation. He considered this vital to American freedom and security.
The 26th President of the United States…
The 26th President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt, regularly staged boxing matches in the White House and took on anyone he could- including professional boxers.