#8: February 16 – 22

The Story of President’s Day

Have you ever wondered why we celebrate President’s Day? This special holiday happens every year on the third Monday in February and is a time to remember the leaders of the United States. Some people call it President’s Day, but its official name is actually Washington’s Birthday because it was originally created to honor George Washington, the first president of the United States.

Over time, the holiday became a way to recognize all U.S. presidents, especially Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is also in February. Today, many people take this day to learn about past presidents and how they helped shape the country.

Fun Presidential Facts!

To celebrate, here are some fun and surprising facts about past presidents. Some of these might amaze you.

George Washington

• He was the only president ever chosen unanimously—that means every single elector voted for him.
• He lost all his real teeth and had to wear dentures made of wood, ivory, and even metal.

Thomas Jefferson

• Not only was he the third president, but he was also an architect. He designed his home, Monticello, and helped design buildings for the University of Virginia.
• He had a pet bird that could whistle entire songs.

Abraham Lincoln

• Lincoln was the tallest president at 6 feet 4 inches.
• He used to keep important papers inside his tall hat.
• On the day he was shot, he told his bodyguard that he had dreamed about being assassinated the night before.

John Adams & Thomas Jefferson

• These two presidents died on the same day—July 4, 1826. That was exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

James Madison

• He was the shortest president, standing at only 5 feet 4 inches and weighing about 100 pounds—that’s lighter than many middle schoolers.
• He and George Washington were the only presidents who signed the U.S. Constitution.

Teddy Roosevelt

• At just 42 years old, he was the youngest person to become president. [With the assassination of President William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, not quite 43, became the 26th and youngest President in the Nation’s history (1901-1909)]. (John F. Kennedy was the youngest elected president.)
• He lost sight in one eye after a boxing match!
• He once had a pet badger at the White House!

Franklin D. Roosevelt

• When he was five years old, he met President Grover Cleveland. Cleveland told him, “I hope you never become president.” Oops!
• He was also the first president to ever appear on television—in 1939.

Ronald Reagan

• After being shot in an assassination attempt, he joked, “I forgot to duck.”
• Ronald Reagan is in Angela O’Dell’s list of top three favorite presidents!

Harry S. Truman

• His middle initial “S” doesn’t stand for anything—it’s just S. Harry Truman is also the president who saw the end of World War 2.

Other Fun Facts

• Martin Van Buren was the only president who spoke English as a second language—his first language was Dutch.
• Andrew Jackson once got shot in a duel, but he stayed standing and defeated his opponent. The bullet stayed in his chest for 40 years.
• John Tyler had 15 children—imagine how noisy the White House must have been!
• William Henry Harrison gave the longest inauguration speech in the freezing rain. Sadly, he got sick and died just 32 days later, making him the shortest-serving president.

Why Do We Celebrate?

Whether you call it President’s Day or Washington’s Birthday, this holiday gives us a chance to learn about the people who have led the country. Some presidents were tall, some were short, some had funny pets, and some even played in a band (like Bill Clinton).

No matter what, each president has played a part in American history. So, on President’s Day, take a moment to remember these leaders and the interesting stories they’ve left behind.