CBC Closed for Presidents Day 2018

Community Business College always observes the Presidents Day holiday with a 3-day weekend.

But, the learning goes on. 

In the spirit of always learning new things, here is some interesting U.S. presidential trivia:

George Washington was the only American president to be unanimously elected.

Chester A. Arthur was nicknamed “Elegant Arthur” because of his fashion sense.

Franklin Pierce was the first president to have a Christmas tree in the White House.

James Madison was the shortest president ever elected.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1826.

Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to call his residence in Washington, D.C. the “White House.” Prior to his term, it had been called the Executive Mansion.

Grover Cleveland personally answered the White House phone.

James Madison was the shortest and lightest president at 5 feet, 4 inches and about 100 pounds.

Millard Fillmore installed the first bathtub and kitchen stove in the White House.

Andrew Johnson was buried beneath a willow tree that he planted. His head rests on a copy of the Constitution.

Zachary Taylor received his nomination for presidency late because he refused all postal pieces with postage due.

Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only American president to be elected four times.

James K. Polk fulfilled all his campaign promises: The U.S. acquired California from Mexico, settled the Oregon dispute, lowered tariffs, established a sub-treasury, and retired from office after one term.

Harry S. Truman use to get up at 5 o’clock in the morning to practice the piano for two hours.

The phrase “O.K.” is credited to Martin Van Buren who was raised in Kinderhook, New York. After he went into politics, Van Buren became known as “Old Kinderhook.” Soon people were using the term O.K. referring to Van Buren and the word “okay” was born.

William Henry Harrison served the shortest presidency, dying just 32 days after he was elected.

John Tyler never ran for the office of the Presidency – as vice-president he assumed the office of the president, served out his term, and left.

Herbert Hoover approved “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem.

Calvin Coolidge lighted the first national Christmas tree in 1923 on the White House lawn.

Ronald Reagan became the oldest person ever elected U.S. president at the age of 69.

George Washington was the first to hear the president’s theme song, “Hail To The Chief” as president. Chester A. Arthur tried to change it to the song “Presidential Polonaise.” When Arthur left, so did the polonaise.

George H.W. Bush is distantly related to Presidents Franklin Pierce, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Gerald Ford, Benedict Arnold, Marilyn Monroe, and Winston Churchill. Of course, so was his son, George W. Bush.