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U.S. Presidential Trivia

Frayed Knot Jan 10 2013 05:36 PM

No quiz here, just some odd facts that have come to my head recently. The 1930s and the 1950s (so far) have joined the 1810s as the only decades never to have had a president born in them -- a streak which includes all decades starting with the 1730s when Washington & Adams were born through the 1960s which birthed (in one country or another) Barack Obama. I say so far for the 1950s as they could still get on the board seeing as how those born then will be somewhere in the 56-66 y/o range for the 2016 elections or age 60-70 in 2020, still quite plausible. The 1930s are almost certain not to erase its zero (and the 1810s REALLY unlikely to) but the thing about the '30s is that that decade never came close, missing by more than a half-decade on either side. Carter (Oct '24) and GW Bush (July '46) were closest. Six Presidents used a first name other than their given one (beyond those simply using nicknames): Hiram [u:13nn1x9e]Ulysses[/u:13nn1x9e] Simpson Grant Steven [u:13nn1x9e]Grover[/u:13nn1x9e] Cleveland Thomas [u:13nn1x9e]Woodrow[/u:13nn1x9e] Wilson John [u:13nn1x9e]Calvin[/u:13nn1x9e] Coolidge Jr. David [u:13nn1x9e]Dwight[/u:13nn1x9e] Eisenhower Leslie Lynch King Jr (Gerald Ford) Next week Jimmy Carter hits his 32nd year as an [u:13nn1x9e]Ex[/u:13nn1x9e]-President. He recently passed Herbert Hoover (31 yr-7 mo) as the longest living Ex

Edgy MD Jan 10 2013 06:39 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

I love me my presidential factoids.

G-Fafif Jan 10 2013 06:51 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Re: DDE -- Dwight David Eisenhower was president (though he was popularly referred to as Doc when he was going well). Dwight David Eisenhower II -- or David Eisenhower -- is the president's grandson who married Julie Nixon. He's also the David in Camp David.

Fman99 Jan 10 2013 07:09 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Frayed Knot wrote: Next week Jimmy Carter hits his 32nd year as an Ex-President. He recently passed Herbert Hoover (31 yr-7 mo) as the longest living Ex This was the question on Final Jeopardy one night either last week or this week. I did not get it though I was close in guessing Hoover.

metsguyinmichigan Jan 10 2013 07:52 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Good stuff! My nieces introduced me to the "Presidents vs Aliens" game on the iPad. Great stuff to learn presidential trivia!

Edgy MD Jan 10 2013 09:28 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Seems unseemly to remind Carter that he's past his sell-by date on television (because you know if he watches anything, he watches Trebek).

Frayed Knot Jan 10 2013 09:52 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Next week Jimmy Carter hits his 32nd year as an Ex-President. He recently passed Herbert Hoover (31 yr-7 mo) as the longest living Ex This was the question on Final Jeopardy one night either last week or this week. I did not get it though I was close in guessing Hoover. Yeah, that was the source of this particular piece of trivia. I immediately guessed Hoover as well (not sure why he was first to my brain but he was). Then, just as the music was about to stop I thought to myself, but I bet Carter is catching up quickly. Well, turns out he caught up a few months back. Carter, as it turns out, is the perfect guy for this category: - He became President fairly young -- turned 52 just weeks before his election - was a one-term guy -- thereby becoming an EX four years before he hoped - and now has lived a long time -- will turn 90 towards the end of 2014 even though much of his family died young

Nymr83 Jan 10 2013 11:53 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

given today's lifespans you'd expect Clinton or Obama to surpass him someday

seawolf17 Jan 11 2013 06:49 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

I always knew James Buchanan was the only unmarried president, but only discovered recently that he was gay, and quite openly.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 11 2013 06:55 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

The first part may be true, but I'm very skeptical that he was "open" about it.

Edgy MD Jan 11 2013 07:06 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Yeah, Jim Loewen is something of a self-promoter, and goes for the iconoclastic conclusion rather than the most reasonable and considers his conclusions final when in fact the question remains open, as this one almost certainly is.

Frayed Knot Jan 11 2013 07:14 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 11 2013 07:50 AM

Nymr83 wrote: given today's lifespans you'd expect Clinton or Obama to surpass him someday Both were/will be EXes at young-ish ages (BC @ 54, BO @ 55) so it certainly makes them candidates. I'd bet the under on Clinton though; requiring major open heart surgery before the age of 60 doesn't make one a great candidate for living into his late 80s. Also, Richard Nixon's 100th birthday was Wednesday. Ford's will be in July. This era one century ago produced a bunch of future Prez's in a short span. LBJ - '08, Reagan in '11; Nixon + Ford in '13; JFK in '17

Edgy MD Jan 11 2013 07:17 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

World War II --- maker of men. Pretty amazin' that it took until George HW Bush in 1988 to produce a successor to Kennedy that was actually younger than him.

Swan Swan H Jan 11 2013 07:35 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Edgy MD wrote: Seems unseemly to remind Carter that he's past his sell-by date on television (because you know if he watches anything, he watches Trebek). Rosalynn, c'mere and look at this Honey Boo Boo. Ain't she a hoot?

sharpie Jan 11 2013 07:37 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Tough sledding ahead for the 1950's. Not only has no President been born in the 1950's, no major party losing candidate was born then either. Dukakis in the '30'2; Gore, Romney, McCain and Kerry in the '40's. Hillary was born in the '40's. During the last Republican primary election the 1950's were represented by Rick Santorum and Rick Perry (Rick as a diminutive of Richard was popular then). From the previous election cycle we did have Mike Huckabee as a '50's baby.

Ceetar Jan 11 2013 07:39 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

And the 1980s will eligible for the first time next time.

Frayed Knot Jan 11 2013 07:46 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Edgy MD wrote: World War II --- maker of men. Pretty amazin' that it took until George HW Bush in 1988 to produce a successor to Kennedy that was actually younger than him. Carter. Kennedy, as the first Prez to be born in the 20th century, represented a huge jump forward in era. His immediate predecessor, Eisenhower, was the closest to him in birthyear and that was a full 27 years earlier, and Truman was the only other one within 35 years. Several of his successors then back-filled the intervening years. Clinton's jump was a comparatively meager 22 year leap.

Swan Swan H Jan 11 2013 07:57 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

sharpie wrote: Tough sledding ahead for the 1950's. Not only has no President been born in the 1950's, no major party losing candidate was born then either. Dukakis in the '30'2; Gore, Romney, McCain and Kerry in the '40's. Hillary was born in the '40's. During the last Republican primary election the 1950's were represented by Rick Santorum and Rick Perry (Rick as a diminutive of Richard was popular then). From the previous election cycle we did have Mike Huckabee as a '50's baby. Among GOP possibilities for 2016 Jeb Bush was born in 1953, Christie in 1962, Jindal, Rubio and Ryan in the '70s.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 11 2013 08:11 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

LOL Ryan.

Edgy MD Jan 11 2013 08:15 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Presidents have been typically tall, but never very tall. Sorry, Anthony Robbins. Tallest dudes: Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon B. Johnson (6'4"). Shortest: James Madison (5'4"). Checking on upcoming possible candidates, Bobby Jindal claims 5'9" and Hilary Clinton claims 5'6", so no relief for Madison appears to be in sight. Longshot Susana Martinez doesn't look very heighty.

Swan Swan H Jan 11 2013 08:20 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: LOL Ryan. Yabbut, I could have included Bachmann.

Mets – Willets Point Jan 11 2013 08:25 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

In 1907, Grover Cleveland was elected president of the Association of Presidents of Life Insurance Companies.

Swan Swan H Jan 11 2013 08:29 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Edgy MD wrote: Presidents have been typically tall, but never very tall. Sorry, Anthony Robbins. Tallest dudes: Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon B. Johnson (6'4"). Shortest: James Madison (5'4"). Checking on upcoming possible candidates, Bobby Jindal claims 5'9" and Hilary Clinton claims 5'6", so no relief for Madison appears to be in sight. Longshot Susana Martinez doesn't look very heighty. Dinklage 2016!

Edgy MD Jan 11 2013 08:45 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: LOL Ryan.

sharpie Jan 11 2013 09:12 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Joe Biden, a 1940's guy.

Edgy MD Jan 11 2013 09:29 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

His hair and teeth are more nineties, though.

G-Fafif Jan 11 2013 01:35 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Coming soon: the seventh time Inauguration Day has fallen on a Sunday, necessitating public festivities on a Monday (because America reveres its Christian sabbath). The 2013 version -- the Monday edition -- will be the second time the Inaugural has coincided with legally recognized Martin Luther King Day. Previous Sunday term-starters: 1821, 1849, 1877, 1917 (all the March 4 era), 1957, 1985. My sister first took office birthwise the day Ike was publicly sworn in the second time. The Niners beat the Dolphins the day Reagan was privately sworn in for his second go-round. Clinton's second term began on MLK Day 1997.

Fman99 Jan 11 2013 06:22 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Next week Jimmy Carter hits his 32nd year as an Ex-President. He recently passed Herbert Hoover (31 yr-7 mo) as the longest living Ex This was the question on Final Jeopardy one night either last week or this week. I did not get it though I was close in guessing Hoover. Yeah, that was the source of this particular piece of trivia. I immediately guessed Hoover as well (not sure why he was first to my brain but he was). Then, just as the music was about to stop I thought to myself, but I bet Carter is catching up quickly. Well, turns out he caught up a few months back. Carter, as it turns out, is the perfect guy for this category: - He became President fairly young -- turned 52 just weeks before his election - was a one-term guy -- thereby becoming an EX four years before he hoped - and now has lived a long time -- will turn 90 towards the end of 2014 even though much of his family died young I guessed Hoover because I recently read this book, which mentions that Hoover was called on the phone after the death of JFK (as were the other living former Presidents).

Edgy MD Jan 11 2013 10:28 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

That's amazing. You have to wonder if there's some written protocols on emergency transitions under glass somewhere, but these guys under incredible pressure have to orchestrate the transition to project as much credibility and official authority as possible. And I guess getting the moral authority of the living presidents on board early is important as hell. If there was to be any stink and insinuation that Johnson was coming on board in some sort of coup, they would need that authority to combat it. By the same token, Jackie Kennedy in that bloodsoaked dress at the swearing in was probably the best gift Johnson could have had. But who was the poor shnook who had to go up and ask her, "Mrs. Kennedy, your country needs you to do one thing for us here"?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 12 2013 05:12 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Edgy MD wrote: But who was the poor shnook who had to go up and ask her, "Mrs. Kennedy, your country needs you to do one thing for us here"? I don't recall the answer to that, but I'm pretty sure it can be found in the book that William Manchester wrote about the assassination.

Fman99 Jan 12 2013 09:14 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

The book covers the details of that day in extreme detail, though as you'd expect it's all from LBJ's perspective. One point they made was that Hoover was too old to speak personally to LBJ about those events, but that he had been told of the news and was able to process it. Another was that Jackie was given the opportunity to change her clothes but wanted the nation to see her and know what had happened to her husband that day. It was all her.

RealityChuck Jan 13 2013 10:13 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

My favorite bit of presidential trivia is that only one president has an entire province named for him in a country outside the US. No one can ever guess the answer.

Frayed Knot Jan 13 2013 10:48 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Is Monroeville in Liberia a province as well or just a city?

RealityChuck Jan 13 2013 11:34 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Just a city. The president I'm thinking of has a city named for him, too (it used to be the capital of the province).

Benjamin Grimm Jan 13 2013 11:49 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

My immediate guess was also Monrovia. If that's not the correct answer, then I have no idea.

Edgy MD Jan 13 2013 04:29 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

I'll guess G.W. Bush has something named for him in Georgia or Latvia or Albania or something.

RealityChuck Jan 13 2013 07:22 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

No. I'm going to flip the cards and give the answer: Rutherford B. Hayes. In Paraguay. There's the Department/Province of Presidente Hayes and its former provincial capital Villa Hayes. Now, Hayes never set foot in Paraguay. After the War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870), there was a land dispute between Argentina and Paraguay. The treaty ending the war named Hayes to arbitrate the dispute. It was turned over to some minor state department official, who determined that the entire territory go to Paraguay. Hayes signed the decision, and Paraguay was so grateful that then named part of the new territory for him.

Edgy MD Jan 14 2013 07:27 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

I'll guess G.W. Bush has something named for him in Georgia or Latvia or Albania or something. Checking my answer, though, it turns that he scored in all three countries: [list][*]Georgia: a street in Tbilisi leading to the airport.[/*:m] [*]Latvia: awarded the Order of the Three Stars. (Our own Centerfield is also a recipient.)[/*:m] [*]Albania: a street in Tirana, just outside the parliament building.[/*:m][/list:u]

Edgy MD Jan 15 2013 04:31 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Surprised to find out how long this list is... Presidents Who Had Someone Other Than Their Wives Serve as Official Hostess of the White House Thomas Jefferson --- A widower, Jefferson had future First Lady Dolley Madison, and later his daughter Martha Randolph serve as is hostess, making Dolley the first and only First Lady to come to her position with more experience than her husband brought to his. Andrew Jackson --- Jackson, whose much-loved wife died between the election and inauguration, filled the White House with family and friends to ease his mourning. His wife's nephew Andrew Jackson Donelson served as his private secretary and his wife, Emily as official hostess. They were later replaced in these positions by Jackson's son Andrew, Jr. and daughter-in-law Sarah. Martin Van Buren --- Also a widower, VB had his son's fiance and then wife Angelica serve in the role. Angelica was introduced to Abraham Van Buren by her cousin... Dolley Madison. She's eveywhere! Wiliam Henry Harrison --- It's not clear if anyone served as official hostess in the brief presidency of William Henry Harrison as Mrs. H. was recuperating from an illness an hadn't yet reported to the White House when he died. I guess the role was hers but she never got to do any of the cool stuff associated with it, like invite jazz musicians to the South Lawn. John Tyler --- The sickly Letitia Christian Tyler turned the duties over to her daughter-in-law Priscilla and made it downstairs only once during her residence at the White House. Tyler later married Julia Gardiner, thirty years his junior, and she took over. Zachary Taylor --- Margaret Taylor was an uncomplaining supportive military wife, but hated politics with a passion, praying her husband would lose. When her prayers failed, she refused to serve as official hostess and turned the duties over to her daughter Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Taylor. When ZT died in office, she instantly deteriorated and died herself two days later. Millard Fillmore --- Taylor's successor also had a bride (Abigail) who hated the social responsibilities of a presidential bride and gladly turned her duties over to her daughter Abby. Franklin Pierce --- Jane Means Appleton Pierce hated (see a pattern here?) her husband's ambitions and the role that it cast her in. When her (equally unenthusiastic) son was killed in a train accident (!!) she blamed her husband and sank into melancholia. She turned duties over to her aunt Abby Kent-Means and her close friend Varina Davis, wife of war secretary Jefferson Davis. Varina, of course, would go on to become the lone First Lady of the Confederacy. Jane would rally enough to intermittently serve in the role and survive her husband's presidency, dying five years later. James Buchanan --- The only president to never marry took his popular niece Harriet Lane Johnston with him to the White House, where she had the unhappy task of figuring out where to seat mortal enemies of a soon to be divided nation when hosting them for dinner. Andrew Johnson --- Wife Eliza yielded to daughter Martha Johnson Patterson. Chester A. Arthur --- His wife Nell died of malaria before he was sworn in as VP. When he took over the presidency, his youngest sister Mary McElroy became his hostess. Benjamin Harrison --- Caroline Harrison was a very active first lady, but died of tuberculosis before her husband's presidency was finished. Daughter Mary Harrison McKee succeeded her as first lady/official hostess. Woodrow Wilson --- Woody had two wives during his presidency. Can't figure out who ran the show in between. Possibly it was Wilson's cousin Helen Woodrow Bones. Bill Clinton --- For a few glorious weeks at the end of his second term, as the new Senate (and his wife with them) took office with the new year, but before his successor George W. Bush was sworn in as president, Clinton's daughter Chelsea served nearly three rollicking weeks as official White Hose hostess. She had already been filling in for her mother throughout much of the year as Hilary campaigned and pretended to be a New Yorker. ______________ Side note: Rutherford B. Hayes' temperate wife Lucy refused to let alcohol be served at the White House.

RealityChuck Jan 15 2013 06:21 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

John Tyler's daughter Pearl was still alive 100 years after he left office. Two of his grandchildren -- Lyon Tyler, Jr. and Harrison Tyler -- are still alive today. The three generations span every president from George Washington to Barak Obama.

Fman99 Jan 15 2013 06:31 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

RealityChuck wrote: John Tyler's daughter Pearl was still alive 100 years after he left office. Two of his grandchildren -- Lyon Tyler, Jr. and Harrison Tyler -- are still alive today. The three generations span every president from George Washington to Barak Obama. Read about this a year or two ago. Continues to amaze me.

Edgy MD Jan 15 2013 06:43 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Second wifey was also a Roman Catholic --- I guess the first of her kind to occupy the White House.

Frayed Knot Jan 16 2013 07:00 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Edgy MD wrote: Woodrow Wilson --- Woody had two wives during his presidency. Can't figure out who ran the show in between. Possibly it was Wilson's cousin Helen Woodrow Bones. And by the end of his 2nd term, wife #2 was running not just the hosting duties but the White House itself, it is said, following WW's in-office stroke.

RealityChuck Jan 16 2013 06:20 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Martin van Buren is the only president whose first language wasn't English. He grew up speaking Dutch. Grover Cleveland personally executed two men. As sheriff of Buffalo, he was in charge of hanging criminals.

Edgy MD Jan 16 2013 07:13 PM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Freaking Cleveland. Who can figure that guy out?

Mets – Willets Point Jan 17 2013 08:04 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Not trivia, but I think that Presidencies should be counted by term like Congress (such as "the 113th Congress convened in January 2013") rather than by individual. So Barack Obama serves the 56th and 57th term of the Presidential office rather than being the 44th President. It would solve the confusion around Grover Cleveland for starters.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 17 2013 08:07 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

That would make sense, but then what would I do with all of my "Millard Fillmore 13" bling?

seawolf17 Jan 17 2013 08:10 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Do any of you follow any of the dead presidents on Twitter? Some of them are pretty funny.

Edgy MD Jan 17 2013 09:10 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Not trivia, but I think that Presidencies should be counted by term like Congress (such as "the 113th Congress convened in January 2013") rather than by individual. So Barack Obama serves the 56th and 57th term of the Presidential office rather than being the 44th President. It would solve the confusion around Grover Cleveland for starters. Freaking Cleveland. Who can figure that guy out?

Edgy MD Jan 17 2013 09:17 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

"Hi, I'm Gerald Ford from 46b."

DocTee Jan 17 2013 10:36 AM Re: U.S. Presidential Trivia

While on the treadmill this morning, I saw that the final Jeopardy question asked me to name the two 20th century Presidents who were alive 30 years after taking the oath of office. With this thread fresh in mind, I got the answers quickly.