Gerald Ford, who would later become the President of the United States, attended college amidst the Great Depression. In order to make ends meet, he resorted to selling his blood every two months for $25 per donation. Interestingly, Ford’s determination and resilience during this challenging period helped shape his character. In addition to his financial struggles, he excelled academically and athletically, eventually earning a spot on the University of Michigan’s football team. Ford’s experiences during the Depression would go on to inform his policies and leadership style as the 38th President of the United States.
US Presidents
Jimmy Carter Led Nuclear Reactor Disassembly in 1952
In 1952, a nuclear reactor in Canada was undergoing a meltdown, and Jimmy Carter was tasked with leading a team of nuclear scientists to disassemble it. To complete the dangerous task, Carter and other American military personnel had to lower themselves into the reactor and disassemble it manually.
It is worth noting that Jimmy Carter later went on to become the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. He was also a strong advocate for nuclear disarmament, and his administration negotiated the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, which aimed to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in both countries.
Richard Nixon’s Interest in Rap Music
Richard Nixon once expressed that he considered pursuing a career in music rather than politics if there had been a good rap group during his time. He said, “I have often thought that if there had been a good rap group around in those days, I might have chosen a career in music instead of politics.”
However, it’s worth noting that Nixon was not known for his musical abilities or interests. He was more commonly associated with his political career, serving as the 37th President of the United States from 1969 to 1974. Nixon’s presidency was marked by several significant events, including the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and his eventual resignation in 1974. Despite his interest in music, it’s clear that politics was Nixon’s true calling.
Abraham Lincoln’s beard
Milton Bradley, who initially sold pictures of celebrities, faced a significant setback when his top-selling lithographs of Abraham Lincoln became outdated due to Lincoln’s iconic beard. As a result, customers demanded refunds, rendering Bradley’s entire stock of lithographs worthless. To recover from this loss, Bradley decided to pivot to selling board games.
It’s worth noting that Abraham Lincoln’s beard wasn’t just a fashion statement that ruined Milton Bradley’s lithographs. In fact, it played a significant role in his 1860 presidential campaign. As the story goes, Lincoln received a letter from an 11-year-old girl named Grace Bedell, who suggested that he grow a beard because “all the ladies like whiskers.” Lincoln took her advice and grew a beard, and the rest is history. The beard became an iconic feature of Lincoln’s appearance and is now synonymous with his image as a statesman and leader.
William Howard Taft was the last…
William Howard Taft was the last president elected that had a mustache. No president since then has had a mustache because research does show that women feel a guy with facial hair seems less attuned to their issues.
Eugene Debs, aka Convict No. 9653…
Eugene Debs, aka Convict No. 9653, was the only candidate to ever run for US president…from prison! Debs, imprisoned under the Espionage Act for his antiwar agitation during WWI, won nearly 1M votes in the 1920 election as a candidate for the Socialist Party.
President Ulysses S. Grant was nearly…
President Ulysses S. Grant was nearly bankrupted by a Ponzi scheme a year before his death, and was saved from near-destitution by partnering with Mark Twain on his memoirs
US President Nixon believed that France…
US President Nixon believed that France, Italy and Latin America are too immature for democracy and should instead be ruled by authoritarian regimes.
In 1974, when President Nixon visited Syria…
In 1974, when President Nixon visited Syria, the Syrians sent MiG fighter jets as a friendly escort for Nixon’s Air Force One. Someone forgot to tell the pilot of Air Force One, who thought the plane was being attacked and took evasive maneuvers.
US president Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge…
US president Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge used to buzz for his secret service and then would hide under his desk while they frantically searched for him.