Presidential Trivia

[J. J.]

It does indeed have to do with their ages, but it isn't as simple as how young they were when they were elected or left office.

Grant is the fourth youngest President, but isn't on this list.  Indeed, Grant left office at a younger age than John Q. Adams was when he began his single term, and John Q. is on the list.

The president that followed them was older.

[J. J.]

George W Bush is younger than Clinton by a month, though.

Bush was born in July 1946.  Clinton was born in August 1946.  Clinton is about a month younger that Bush.

[J. J.]

Which president said that one of his actions didn't "scour" and what was the action.

[J. J.]

Sounded like Lincoln, as he was fond of such homespun language.  Putting McClellan in charge of the Army of the Potomac?

No to McClellan, yes to Lincoln.  I thought this would easier.

[J. J.]

Lincoln, talking about sitting in Jefferson Davis' chair in Richmond?

No

[J. J.]

His thought on the effectiveness of the Emancipation Proclamation politically if he didn't have a victory to announce it with.

No.

[J. J.]

His thought on the effectiveness of the Emancipation Proclamation politically if he didn't have a victory to announce it with.

No.

Abraham Lincoln on the effectiveness of the Gettysburg Address, after a tepid crowd reaction.

Correct, but not because of the crowd.  Lincoln didn't think it was that good.

[J. J.]

What Adams, Jefferson, Quincy Adams, Harrison, Taylor, Fillmore, and Garfield have in common.

Guess, they never vetoed a bill.

[J. J.]

George Washington had this unusual characteristic that no modern president has when meeting visitors.  What was it?

[J. J.]

Wash their feet for them?

Not even close.

[J. J.]

George Washington had this unusual characteristic that no modern president has when meeting visitors.  What was it?

He didn't shake hands.  Did he bow?

Correct.  Washington thought it beneath the the dignity of the office to shake hands and bowed to them.

[J. J.]

What do Wilson, Truman, Eisenhower and Clinton have in common?

They all we not ender their under their birth names?

[J. J.]

Which President had the longest overall tenure in Congress?

A guess, Polk.

[J. J.]

John Quincy Adams named his kid George Washington Adams.

I hope it wasn't a girl. 

[J. J.]

John Quincy Adams named his kid George Washington Adams.

I hope it wasn't a girl. 

No, the child wasn't a girl. Unlike George Foreman, JQA gave his children different names.


Who is the only President since the formation of the G8 NOT to chair the group?

George H W Bush.  It was the G7 when he chaired it.  Carter or Ford may not have chaired it, but I'd have to check.  It has a rotating chairmanship so any two term president would have chaired it at least once.

[J. J.]

How many Presidents have had books published before they became President?

7?

[J. J.]

Wilson, Eisenhower, Kennedy, LBJ*, Nixon*, GHW Bush, Clinton*

[J. J.]

Thomas Jefferson should be among them for his Notes on the State of Virginia, published on 1784 in Paris.

Wilson wrote a book on local government while at Princeton, IIRC.

Eisenhower wrote Crusade in Europe prior to his presidency.

JFK, Profiles in Courage

GHW Bush wrote an autobiography that was outsold by Millie the dog's book.

I think Clinton had a book published prior to his presidency.

 

[J. J.]

When did GW publish Rules on Civility?

He read it in his youth.

[J. J.]

Who was the last President to never hold an administrative office before becoming President?

In terms of an administrative post in the executive branch, JFK.

[J. J.]

That recently? Wow.

Actually, he was the exception (unless Eisenhower would be considered).  Ford's administrative experience was scant (and it showed), but he had been VP for about eight months. 

How many first couples were there where one party was divorced?

[J. J.]

That recently? Wow.

Actually, he was the exception (unless Eisenhower would be considered).  Ford's administrative experience was scant (and it showed), but he had been VP for about eight months. 

How many first couples were there where one party was divorced?

Reagan was the only president to be divorced...

Jackson's wife was divorced (perhaps improperly), though she died before he became President.


I'm sure there are others, but I can't think of any at the moment.

There is at least one other.

[J. J.]

Follow up:

Name any of the times (I will accept any of the four correct answers) when there were the most Presidents (past, present, and future) alive?

Probably 1946-63.  You had Hoover, Truman, Eisenhower, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, GHWB, Clinton, and GWB.  Likewise, whomever wins this year, 1961-3 will add to that number.  It's fairly likely that long term 1961-3 will grow in future years. 

W. H. Harrison probably was one of the others.

[J. J.]

Which 4 presidents did not use their first names given at birth?

Wilson, Ford, Grant, Cleveland (Eisenhower arguably, Clinton's last name changed).

[J. J.]

Who was the last President to fail to carry their primary state of residence, but still win the election?

Woodrow Wilson (1916 I think).