The correlation between the life and deaths of Presidents John F Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln are uncanny. In the decades since the assassination of Kennedy, investigators have found many facts that are, without question, curious. StrangeHistory.org has analyzed a few of these interesting facts.
- The names Lincoln and Kennedy each contain seven letters.
- Both were elected to Congress in 46 ( 1846 & 1946 )
- Both were unsuccessful candidates for Vice-President in 56. ( 1856 & 1956 )
- Both elected President in 60. ( 1860 & 1960 )
- Both were elected with less than 50 percent of the vote.
- Lincoln beat Stephen Douglas, who was born in 1813.
- Kennedy beat Richard Nixon, who was born in 1913.
- Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy.
- Kennedy's secretary was named Lincoln.
- Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
- Both Presidents were shot in the head.
- Lincoln was shot in Ford’s Theater. Kennedy was shot in a Ford Lincoln.
- Both were assassinated by Southerners.
- Both assassins were known by their three names.
- Both names are composed of fifteen letters.
- Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.
- Booth ran from the theater and was caught in a warehouse.
- Oswald ran from a warehouse and was caught in a theater.
- Booth and Oswald were both assassinated before they could be brought to trial..
- Andrew Johnson was born in 1808.
- Lyndon Johnson was born in 1908.
…….But here are a few more great StrangeHistory.org Presidential facts!
- 8 Presidents of the U.S. never attended college:…Washington, Jackson, Van Buren, Taylor, Fillmore, Lincoln, A. Johnson, and Cleveland.
- 14 Presidents served as vice president of the U.S:… J. Adams, Jefferson, Van Buren, Tyler, Fillmore, A. Johnson, Arthur, T. Roosevelt, Coolidge, Truman, Nixon, L. Johnson, Ford, and George Bush.
- 8 Presidents died in office:… W. Harrison, Taylor, Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Harding, F. Roosevelt, and Kennedy.
- 32 Presidents served in the United States Military. Only one has received the Medal of Honor, Theodore Roosevelt.
- 7 Presidents were born in Ohio: W.H. Harrison, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, B. Harrison, McKinley, Taft, Harding.
- 2 Presidents are buried at Arlington National Cemetery: William H. Taft, John F. Kennedy
- 44 Presidents have had pets in the White House. Goats, cows, dogs, cats, birds, and hamsters have graced the Presidents home. The strangest of these have been, Jefferson’s Grizzly Bear, John Quincy Adams’s Alligator, Hayes’s Siamese Cat (the first in America) and Coolidge’s Raccoon.
- James Buchanan was the only bachelor President of the U.S. His niece, Harriet Lane Johnson moved into the White House at the age of twenty-six to act as his official hostess. Most historians believe that Harriet was the first, “First Lady” by name.
- Abraham Lincoln issued a pardon to the family’s pet turkey so it could not be killed and eaten during holidays.
- William H. Harrison was the first sitting U.S. President to have his photograph taken.
- William H. Taft was the first President to play golf and own a car.
- Calvin Coolidge is the only U.S. President to be sworn in by his father.
- Millard Fillmore changed the White House when he, added a cook stove, added a bathtub and built the first White House library.
- Andrew Jackson was the first U.S. President to be born in a log cabin. (Waxhaws, South Carolina, March 15, 1767)
- James Polk created the Department of the Interior on March 3, 1849. His last act as President.
- Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826. Jefferson died first, however Adams was unaware of this fact. His dying words: “Thomas Jefferson survives!”
- James Garfield had amazing writing abilities. He could write in Latin with his right hand while writing in Greek with his left hand.
- Gerald Ford was the only U.S. President to have not been elected as President or Vice-President.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt was the only U.S. President elected to 4 terms
- Abraham Lincoln was the tallest U.S. Presidents, standing at 6’-4” tall.
- James Madison was the smallest of all of the U.S. Presidents. He stood 5’- 4” and weighed 100 lbs. He was also the first President to serve ice cream in the White House.
- William H. Taft was the first U. S. President to throw out a “First Pitch”, 1901.
- James Monroe is the only President to have a foreign country named for him: Monrovia.
- The “Teddy Bear” was named for Theodore Roosevelt.
- John Quincy Adams enjoyed daily swims in the Potomac River.
- Thomas Jefferson once received a 1,235 pound block of cheese from loving admirers.
- Zachery Taylor never voted in a presidential election.
- James Madison had two Vice Presidents die while he was in office: VP George Clinton, VP Elbridge Gerry. Both died of heart attacks.
- Grover Cleveland was the only U.S. President to serve two inconsecutive terms. #22 & #24. His whole name was Stephen Grover Cleveland.
- Theodore Roosevelt renamed the “Presidential Mansion” to “The White House” in 1901.
- William H. Harrison gave the longest inaugural speeches in U.S. history at a brutal 105 minutes. IN THE RAIN! He contracted a cold and died after only 31 days in office. As a point of mention, three U.S. Presidents served during the year of 1841. Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler.
- Andrew Jackson was the first sitting U.S. President to ride a train. (1833)
- William McKinley was the first sitting U.S. President to ride in an automobile when he was transported by an electric ambulance after being shot by Leon Czolgosz September 5, 1901.
- George Washington would bow to guest of th White House because he disliked physical contact. Thomas Jefferson implemented the handshake as the formal White House greeting.
- The “S” in Harry S Truman doesn’t stand for anything; therefore, there is no period after his middle initial. The “S” in Ulysses S. Grant also doesn’t stand for anything. The “S” was a mistake on his West Point application. It stayed with him until his death.
- James Madison and Thomas Jefferson were once arrested together for taking a carriage ride in the countryside of Vermont on a Sunday, which violated the laws of that state.
Which do you think are the most interesting. Please comment in the section below- or add your interesting presidential facts!!