Surprising Facts About US Presidents That Made Us Giggle

If you've ever received a ticket for speeding, it might be comforting to know you're in good company. Ulysses S. Grant led the Union to victory in the Civil War and then became the youngest president the US had seen. But those weren't his only achievements: Grant also became the first and only president to receive a speeding ticket while acting as commander-in-chief.

Some time in the early years of his presidency, Grant was "pulled over" and cited for driving at dangerous speeds with his horse-drawn carriage. Upon realizing who the speedy driver was, officer William West suggested that he simply ignore the infraction. Grant, however, insisted that he must pay the $5 fine. 

It was not the only fine he paid, as the expert horseman rather enjoyed speeding through the streets of Washington and challenging coachmen to races. 

In 1798, the building we now refer to as the White House got its first whitewash to protect the sandstone during the harsh winters of Washington, DC. Even after this paint job, however, most journalists and citizens alike continued to refer to the building as the "Executive Mansion" or the "President's House." It was not officially dubbed the "White House" until President Teddy Roosevelt came along. 

In a 1901 memo sent to Secretary of State John Hay, President Roosevelt instructed for all official papers to have "Executive Mansion" replaced with "White House." This memo went to all cabinet secretaries as well, and the presidential stationery was also changed to reflect the new name. And just like that, it became the White House.

Although he will always be known for the Watergate scandal and his subsequent resignation, there is much more to Richard Nixon than just his ultimate fall from grace. A California native, he served as a congressman, US senator, and vice president under Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Prior to his career in politics, Nixon worked as an attorney while participating in a local theater group in southern California. It was at the theater that he met his future first lady, Pat Ryan. One night in 1938, the two were auditioning for roles in a play called The Dark Tower. Both won parts in the play, as well as each others' hearts. 

Nixon proposed to Ryan later that night. However, it took her another two years and a few boyfriends in between to realize he was the one. They were married in 1940 and enjoyed 53 years together. 

Abigail Adams's admonition to her husband John that he "remember the ladies" was apparently ignored by her son, John Quincy Adams. When the younger Adams was president, Anne Newport Royall was a relatively poor widow and writer, trying her hand at a journalism career. When she arrived in Washington, DC, she politely asked the president's office for an interview, which was firmly refused. It was clear that a woman was not going to get an interview with Adams the traditional way. 

Asking around town, Royall learned that Adams liked to swim in the nude in the Potomac River. So, one day she found his clothes on the shore and sat on them, refusing to let the man clothe himself until he agreed to an interview. The sixth President of the United States was impressed with Royall and not only gave her the interview, but also advocated for her to receive her late husband's pension by writing a letter to Congress.

James Earl Carter, Jr., the Georgia farmer and 39th President of the United States, has lived quite the full life. In addition to his public service and policy achievements, he is also the author of 32 books, including a work of poetry, reflections on his faith, and a children's book. Titled The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer, his children's book is illustrated by his daughter Amy Carter.

Based on a story the former president made up for his own children long ago, it's about a little boy named Jeremy who cannot walk on his own. When he's abandoned by all the other children at the beach, he befriends a kindred lonely spirit who happens to be a baby sea monster, the little Snoogle-Fleejer. The charming tale had become Carter family lore and can now be enjoyed by families everywhere. 

Over the course of US history, a plethora of presidential pets have lived in the White House. There was, of course, the beloved Socks the cat and then Buddy the dog of the Clintons; the Bushes each had English springer spaniels; a pet opossum belonged to Herbert Hoover; William Henry Harrison had a pet goat; and Teddy Roosevelt's family had a menagerie of pets, including a badger, snakes, and a pony.

Andrew Jackson, however, had perhaps one of the most unique pets in presidential history. The African grey parrot was named Poll, and had been a gift for Jackson's wife Rachel before her passing. Being a war hero who still fought duels and beat a would-be-assassin with his walking stick, it's probably no surprise Jackson threw around some adults-only language. Poll apparently picked up on the expletives, and really let them fly during Jackson's funeral.

In fact, the parrot was so loud and persistent in throwing out profanity that the poor bird eventually was removed from the service altogether.