James Madison is often called the “Father of the Constitution” for his role in framing the Bill of Rights. He went on to become the country’s fourth president. He stood 5'4" and weighed about 100 pounds, making him both the shortest and the lightest president of all time.

James Madison—the country’s fourth president—stood only 5'4" and weighed about 100 pounds, making him both the shortest and the lightest president of all time. His contributions to the United States, however, were enormous. Before he took the country’s highest office, he co-wrote The Federalist Papers and helped frame the Bill of Rights, earning him the nickname the “Father of the Constitution.” 

Martin Van Buren was born on December 5, 1782. He was the eighth president of the United States. He was also the first president born an American citizen. The previous seven presidents were all born before America declared its independence from England in 1776.

Martin Van Buren—born on December 5, 1782, in Kinderhook, New York—was the first president born here after America won its independence from England in the Revolutionary War. The previous seven presidents were all born in the American colonies, which were still under British rule at the time. 

This is false! James Polk was the 11th president. He and his wife, Sarah, were actually known for being quite boring and dull. They did not allow anyone to dance or play cards at the White House. They also did not attend theater performances or horse races—two of the most popular forms of entertainment at the time. 

This is false! James Polk, the 11th president, and his wife, Sarah, actually had a reputation for being quite boring and dull. They did not allow anyone to dance or play cards at the White House, and they also did not attend theater performances or horse races—two of the most popular forms of entertainment at the time.

Chester A. Arthur was the 21st president, serving from 1881 to 1885. At that time in history, it was unusual to have a large wardrobe. Yet it was reported that Arthur owned about 80 pairs of pants—and changed them several times throughout the day.

This is true! Chester A. Arthur was the 21st president, serving from 1881 to 1885. At that time in history, it was unusual to have a large wardrobe, and yet it was reported that Arthur owned about 80 pairs of pants. Born in Vermont, Arthur first became preoccupied with his appearance when he attended Union College in Schenectady, New York. As president, he changed pants several times throughout the day.

Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt served as the nation’s 26th president, from 1901 to 1909. At 42 years old, he was the youngest president ever to take office. His entire family enjoyed the pastime of walking on stilts—the first lady even had her own pair!

Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt served as the nation’s 26th president from 1901 to 1909. He was only 42 years old when he took office, setting the record for youngest president. His entire family enjoyed the pastime of walking on stilts—the first lady even had her own pair!

Richard Nixon loved bowling with his wife, Pat. That’s why friends of the Nixon family paid for a one-lane bowling alley to be installed underground in 1969. 

This was actually the second bowling alley in White House history. The first—which consisted of two lanes—was built for President Harry Truman in 1947. President Dwight D. Eisenhower replaced it with office space in 1955.

Richard Nixon—who is best known for being impeached because of the Watergate scandal—loved bowling with his wife, Pat. That’s why friends of the Nixon family paid for a one-lane bowling alley to be installed underground in 1969. This was actually the second bowling alley in White House history; the first—which consisted of two lanes—was built for President Harry Truman in 1947. He never used it but did allow staff members to form a league. (The fun was fairly short-lived—President Dwight D. Eisenhower replaced that first bowling alley with office space in 1955.)

This is true! Gerald Ford held both offices without winning an election for either. How? In 1972, President Richard Nixon was elected to a second term. Spiro Agnew was his vice president, but Agnew resigned in 1973. Ford—then a congressman from Michigan—was chosen by Nixon and approved by Congress to become the new VP. A year later, President Nixon also resigned, making Ford the 38th president. 

Gerald Ford held both offices without winning an election for either. How? In 1972, President Richard Nixon was elected to a second term, with Spiro Agnew as his vice president. But Agnew resigned in 1973 because of a scandal. Ford, then a congressman from Michigan, was chosen by Nixon and approved by Congress to become the new VP. A year later, President Nixon also resigned, making Ford the 38th president. 

Ronald Reagan became the 40th president in 1981. Before that, he served as the governor of California. And before that, he was a well-known movie actor. Reagan acted in 53 different films, including the popular movie Bedtime for Bonzo. In it he plays the leading role—a professor who adopts a chimpanzee!

Prior to becoming the 40th president of the United States in 1981, Ronald Reagan served as the governor of California, and before that, he was a well-known movie actor. Reagan acted in 53 different films, including the popular movie Bedtime for Bonzo, in which he plays the leading role—a professor who adopts a chimpanzee.

Although the 20th president, James Garfield, was technically left-handed, he could use his right hand just as well. Even more impressive, Garfield could speak and write in multiple languages. Some sources even claim he could write a sentence in Greek with one hand while writing a sentence in Latin with his other hand!

Although the 20th president, James Garfield, was technically left-handed, he was actually ambidextrous. Even more impressive, Garfield could speak and write in multiple languages. Some sources even claim he could write a sentence in Greek with one hand while writing a sentence in Latin with his other hand!

Eight years before becoming the 43rd president, George W. Bush ran the 1993 Houston Marathon. At age 46, he clocked a fairly quick time, finishing the 26.2-mile race in 3 hours and 44 minutes.

Eight years before becoming the 43rd president, George W. Bush ran the 1993 Houston Marathon. At age 46, he clocked a fairly quick time, finishing the 26.2-mile race in 3 hours and 44 minutes.