PRESIDENTIAL TALES

The Surprising Backstories Behind 10 U.S. Presidents

Credit: National Archives and Records Administration

Presidents of the United States are often expected to be larger-than-life—sort of superhuman—personalities, leading the nation with gravity and responsibility. However, just like anyone, they have normal lives, peculiar interests, and sometimes even intriguing personal backstories.

From unconventional hobbies to surprising personal struggles, here are 10 U.S. Presidents with untold tales that might just reshape the way you perceive these historical figures.

Credit: Provincial Archives of Alberta

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President, wasn't just known for his eloquent speeches and great leadership during the Civil War. Surprisingly, "Honest Abe" was also a very skilled wrestler in his younger days. With over 300 matches under his belt, Lincoln only ever lost one, earning him a reputation as a formidable opponent in the ring.

Credit: Nikolay Tchaouchev

While Calvin Coolidge may be mostly remembered for his quiet demeanor, his private life revealed a different side. Coolidge had a penchant for unusual pets, and during his stay at the White House, he turned it into a mini zoo. Besides many other more conventional pets, he owned two raccoons, a donkey, a bobcat, several lion cubs, a Pygmy hippopotamus, a wallaby, a duiker, an antelope, a black bear, and 13 Pekin ducks. Quite the exotic collection!

Credit: Albert Antony

In 1969, years before becoming the 39th President, Jimmy Carter reported a UFO sighting in Georgia. He described seeing a bright light in the night sky that changed colors before disappearing. A few years later, Carter even filed an official report with the International UFO Bureau, making him the only U.S. President to document a personal encounter with unidentified flying objects.

Credit: Dylan de Jonge

Known as the "Father of His Country", George Washington had a side hustle that might surprise many. In 1799, he became one of the largest whiskey producers in the United States, operating a distillery on his Mount Vernon estate. Washington's distillery produced nearly 11,000 gallons of whiskey in 1799 alone. Despite this, Washington was a strong proponent of moderation, knowing well the dangers of drinking alcohol in excess.

Credit: Austrian National Library

Beyond his many political achievements, Teddy Roosevelt was an avid boxer throughout his life. He kept a boxing gym in the White House and sparred with various aides and diplomats.

While he embraced vigorous physical activities as a means of fighting various health issues, he was occasionally injured. He reportedly lost sight in one eye due to a detached retina from a particularly intense boxing match with a military aide, proving that he truly embodied his maxim: Speak softly and carry a big stick.

Credit: Tyler Palmer

John Quincy Adams, the 6th President, had an unconventional daily routine. He was known for skinny-dipping in the cold waters of the Potomac River every morning, believing it invigorated both his body and mind. At the time, it wasn’t odd to bathe naked in a river, but his doctor wasn’t fully convinced of the health benefits of his peculiar practice. However, Adams staunchly defended his right to do so, and sometimes even invited family members or political acquaintances to join him in the Potomac.

Credit: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library

Before entering politics, Gerald Ford left his mark in the fashion industry. In his late twenties, he worked as a model, even appearing on the cover of Cosmopolitan in 1942. Ford's modeling career was short-lived, as a few years later he would start campaigning in local Republican politics, but it adds an unexpected layer to the image of the 38th President.

Credit: Dolo Iglesias

Often remembered for his shortcomings—like the Watergate scandal—Richard Nixon had a hidden musical talent: playing the piano. Reportedly, he was an accomplished pianist, even performing with the likes of Pearl Bailey and Jack Benny. Behind his political mask, he was an intelligent and sensitive man, and while his musical abilities were overshadowed by his political career, it shows that there’s always more to a person than meets the eye.

Credit: Alicia Razuri

Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President and one of the most influential political figures in the history of our country, was known for being proficient in several languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, and German. He was interested in linguistics and studied ancient languages like Latin, Greek, and even Old English. Documents found posthumously in his library suggest that he was also interested in Arabic, Irish, and Welsh, but it is unknown how proficient he was in those languages.

Credit: Camille Brodard

Before Ronald Reagan entered politics, he worked as a lifeguard, saving 77 lives during his seven summers on duty. He even saved a little girl from drowning while serving as Governor of California! Reagan's transition from lifeguard to Hollywood actor eventually paved the way for his political career, proving that even the most unexpected career paths can lead to the highest office.

REEL LINES

11 Memorable Movie Lines That Echo Through Time

Credit: Laura Nyhuis

Certain lines transcend the silver screen and become etched in the collective consciousness of their audiences. Many become cultural touchstones that stand as a testament to the power of cinema (and good screenwriting). Even outside the context that gave them life, they stand on their own, transforming into a shared language.

Here are eleven memorable lines that crossed the boundaries of the film reel and gained a place in our hearts.

Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Movie: Casablanca (1942)

Casablanca, a cinematic masterpiece that has stood the test of time, gifted audiences with a timeless gem—the poignant line delivered by the incomparable Humphrey Bogart in his role as Rick Blaine. The epitome of cool sophistication in his era, Bogart condensed the sentiment of parting ways with a loved one through the restrained but deeply emotional delivery of this simple line.

Credit: Venti Views

Movie: Star Wars (1977)

A phrase that needs no introduction, the blessing of good fortune often said by Jedi knights has become sort of a secret handshake for fans of the epic sci-fi saga. It's so popular that May 4th is known worldwide as Star Wars Day, thanks to the playful pun "May the Fourth be with you." This catchy phrase isn't just a nod to the movies; it's a fun way for fans to come together and celebrate their love for the Star Wars saga.

Credit: CBS Television Network, Public domain

Movie: The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Dorothy's touching adventure in the technicolor wonderland of Oz holds a universal truth. As Judy Garland clicks her ruby slippers and repeats the magical phrase, the audience has a moment of realization. Home was always there, close to the heart, because it isn’t really a place but an unbreakable connection with our own center of gravity, woven with love and belonging. As Dorothy embraces the familiar landscape of Kansas, we can finally agree that, indeed, there’s no place like home.

Credit: Luis Villasmil

Movie: The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick's psychological horror masterpiece delivered this bone-chilling line through Jack Nicholson's deranged character, Jack Torrance. Forever etched in horror lore, this phrase is an auditory gateway to the madness that lurks within the Overlook Hotel. Interestingly, the line is actually a reference to the introduction used by Johnny Carson, a legendary American television host, on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Credit: Brian McGowan

Movie: Toy Story (1995)

Buzz Lightyear's catchphrase, voiced by Tim Allen, soared beyond the confines of Andy's room, capturing the imagination of children and adults alike. While Buzz proudly considers it his own signature line, we later discover that the catchphrase isn't exclusive to Andy's Buzz alone. A legion of Buzz Lightyear toys, when wound up, mechanically repeat the same quote.

Credit: Peter Pryharski

Movie: Top Gun (1986)

Tom Cruise's Maverick catapulted this line into the annals of pop culture, embodying the adrenaline-fueled rush of aerial combat. With a mix of bravado and thrill, the quote became unsurprisingly popular among racing pilots and fans of extreme sports, while also solidifying itself as a rallying banner for anyone willing to push boundaries and embrace the exhilaration of life.

Credit: Mike Tsitas

Movie: Taxi Driver (1976)

Robert De Niro's unforgettable portrayal of Travis Bickle brought forth this originally ad-libbed line that echoes the restless and solitary existence of a man dwelling on society's fringes. With the mirror as his sole companion (and imaginary adversary), the quote is remembered fondly for its theatrical boastfulness.

It's not exactly clear where De Niro got his inspiration from. A popular theory points toward the 1953 western film Shane, in which the protagonist utters a very similar line.

Credit: Serge Kutuzov

Movie: The Dark Knight (2008)

One of Heath Ledger's final roles before his untimely death gifted us with a hauntingly unforgettable portrayal of the Joker—one of Batman's most iconic arch-enemies—that remains ingrained in the minds of moviegoers, setting the bar high on the character's cinematic legacy. Posed as an unhinged inquiry into the very nature of chaos, the "Why so serious?" line serves as a provocative foundation for The Dark Knight's exploration of the human psyche.

Credit: Clint McKoy

Movie: Forrest Gump (1994)

Tom Hanks's endearing portrayal of Forrest Gump gifted us this deceptively simple yet profound observation. A metaphor for life's unpredictability, voiced by a character whose own journey was marked by unexpected twists, this line is a good reminder to savor each moment as if it were a unique confection in the grand chocolate box of existence.

Credit: Daniel Juřena

Movie: The Terminator (1984)

Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic "I'll be back" from The Terminator has long transcended the boundaries of its genre. The mechanical, menacing line encapsulates the unstoppable will that is the Terminator. Like many of these, the line has taken on a life of its own and became strongly associated with Schwarzenegger’s imposing persona. The line has been relentlessly parodied in hundreds of films, and the actor himself has reprised it many times in different movies.

Credit: Laura College

Movie: Jaws (1975)

In Spielberg's legendary summer blockbuster, this superficially humorous and almost casual line marks a crucial turning point in the movie. As the colossal shark comes into view, it becomes evident that the thrilling rollercoaster of terror that is Jaws has just commenced. Surprisingly, the line was not part of the original script, and it only emerged as a recurring on-set joke on the constant challenges faced by the production.