PRESIDENTIAL: This month will feature the inauguration of the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump, only the second president to serve non-consecutive terms; the first was Grover Cleveland, who served as the 22nd and 24th president.
The National Constitution Center has all kinds of fascinating information about the men who have served the United States in the role of president.
Another interesting fact about Cleveland, he personally answered the White House phone.
James Monroe, the fifth president, was the first president to have an outdoor inauguration in Washington, D.C., which was held on the site of the current Supreme Court
Building.
The fourth president, James Madison, known as the father of the Constitution, was only 5’4” tall and weighed less than 100 pounds.
Martin Van Buren, the eighth president, owned two tiger cubs as pets, which were given to him as gifts from the Sultan of Oman.
The 11th president, James K. Polk was the first to retire after one term in office, not seeking re-election.
This one is a bit darker, but it’s part of history nonetheless. Zachary Taylor, the 12th president, is the only president whose remains were exhumed when a medical examiner tested for poisoning in 1991. After reviewing the results, the examiner determined that the arsenic levels were several hundred times less than they would have been if the president had been poisoned.
In keeping with a darker theme, Franklin Pierce, 14th president, was the first to cancel an inaugural ball, a decision made because of the death of his son.
Andrew Johnson, the 17th president, was buried with his head resting on a copy of the Constitution.
More to come.