Some U.S. Presidents were more interesting than others. Here are a handful of "P.O.T.U.S. (President of the United States) Highlights"

First Cowboy P.O.T.U.S.:
Theodore Roosevelt worked as a cowboy on a ranch in the Dakota Territory while in his late twenties.

Last P.O.T.U.S. whom every visitor to Washington could meet:
Calvin Coolidge.

First P.O.T.U.S. on a postage stamp:
George Washington, in 1847.

Letters mailed in one day to the P.O.T.U.S.:
About 20,000.

P.O.T.U.S. birthplaces:
19 states (38 percent) - most of our 50 states (62%) have not had a P.O.T.U.S. born within their borders.

Only P.O.T.U.S. to have ever received a patent:
Abraham Lincoln, in 1849. He was granted a patent for his idea to lift vessels more easily over shoals by inflating air chambers near the water line. His invention never got past the patent stage.

Redheaded P.O.T.U.S.'s:
George Washington, Martin Van Buren, and Thomas Jefferson.

First "First Lady" to hold a press conference:
Eleanor Roosevelt.

Only P.O.T.U.S. to serve as U.S. Chief Justice:
William Howard Taft.

Only P.O.T.U.S. who did not once change his Cabinet at all during his four years in office:
Franklin Pierce.

Unusual P.O.T.U.S. pets:
Thomas Jefferson - Mockingbird. John Quincy Adams - Alligator. Abraham Lincoln - Goat. Theodore Roosevelt - Bear, badger. Calvin Coolidge - Wallaby, lion cub.

First P.O.T.U.S. aircraft:
Franklin D. Roosevelt's specially equipped Douglas DC-4, nicknamed "The Sacred Cow."

P.O.T.U.S. faux pas:
Pres. George Bush gave Chinese Premier Li Peng a gift pair of cowboy boots. One boot displayed the Chinese flag, the other, the Stars and Stripes. In Asia, the sole of the foot is considered the lowliest, dirtiest part of the body, so mixing flags and shoes was viewed as an act of exceedingly poor taste.

Author: Vicki McClure Davidson

More Behind the Curtains...