Presidents’ Day, celebrated on the third Monday of February, honors the legacy of American leadership that has shaped our nation since its founding. While we often remember presidents for their major political achievements and historical decisions, the human side of these leaders—their quirks, talents, and unexpected life experiences—reveals a fascinating tapestry of American history. Originally established to honor George Washington’s birthday, Presidents’ Day now celebrates all U.S. presidents and reminds us that our leaders, despite their extraordinary roles, were also remarkable individuals with unique stories that might surprise you.
This quiz goes beyond the standard history textbook facts to explore the lesser-known aspects of presidential history. Whether you’re a history buff, studying for your citizenship test, or simply curious about American leadership, these questions will challenge your knowledge and perhaps make you smile at the unexpected sides of our nation’s highest office.
Test your knowledge of U.S. Presidential history with these surprising facts! Choose the correct answer for each question.
- Which president was also a licensed bartender before entering politics?
- A) George Washington
- B) Abraham Lincoln
- C) Andrew Johnson
- D) Theodore Roosevelt
Answer: B) Abraham Lincoln owned and operated a tavern in New Salem, Illinois
- Which president installed solar panels on the White House roof in 1979?
- A) Richard Nixon
- B) Gerald Ford
- C) Jimmy Carter
- D) Ronald Reagan
Answer: C) Jimmy Carter installed 32 solar panels during the energy crisis
- Which president could write in Greek with one hand and Latin with the other at the same time?
- A) James Garfield
- B) Woodrow Wilson
- C) John Adams
- D) Thomas Jefferson
Answer: A) James Garfield was ambidextrous and multilingual
- Which president had a pet alligator in the White House?
- A) Theodore Roosevelt
- B) John Quincy Adams
- C) Calvin Coolidge
- D) Franklin Pierce
Answer: B) John Quincy Adams kept an alligator in a White House bathroom
- Which president was the first to have electricity in the White House but refused to touch the light switches?
- A) William McKinley
- B) Benjamin Harrison
- C) Grover Cleveland
- D) William Howard Taft
Answer: B) Benjamin Harrison and his wife were afraid of being electrocuted
- Which president was a model for Cosmopolitan magazine in his youth?
- A) John F. Kennedy
- B) Gerald Ford
- C) Ronald Reagan
- D) Bill Clinton
Answer: B) Gerald Ford appeared on the cover in 1942
- Which president spoke English as a second language?
- A) Martin Van Buren
- B) Theodore Roosevelt
- C) Herbert Hoover
- D) Franklin Pierce
Answer: A) Martin Van Buren’s first language was Dutch
- Which president won a Grammy Award?
- A) Barack Obama
- B) Bill Clinton
- C) Jimmy Carter
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All three won Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album
- Which president installed a bowling alley in the White House?
- A) Harry Truman
- B) Dwight Eisenhower
- C) Richard Nixon
- D) John F. Kennedy
Answer: A) Harry Truman added it in 1947
- Which president was never elected as either president or vice president?
- A) John Tyler
- B) Millard Fillmore
- C) Gerald Ford
- D) Andrew Johnson
Answer: C) Gerald Ford was appointed VP after Agnew’s resignation and became president after Nixon
Bonus History Facts:
- The White House address (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue) was chosen by President Washington, but he never lived there
- William Henry Harrison gave the longest inaugural speech (1 hour, 45 minutes) in the coldest weather, caught pneumonia, and had the shortest presidency (32 days)
- Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as president by his father, a notary public, by candlelight at 2:47 AM
- James Madison was the shortest president at 5’4″, while Abraham Lincoln was the tallest at 6’4″
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