American History: Fun Facts About our Past Presidents By: Maryellen DUNKle

George Washington No formal education. The only president elected unanimously. He received all 69 electoral votes. In addition to the nation's capital and the state, 31 counties and 17 towns are named in his honor. He is the only president who didn't live in Washington, D.C. during his presidency. During his presidency the Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal court system, the Bank Act of 1791 established a nation wide banking system, the Bill of Rights became law on December 15, 1791.

John Adams Adams was the great-great-grandson of John and Priscilla Alden, pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620. In 1800 the U.S. capital moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. Adams and Jefferson were the only presidents to sign the Declaration of Independence, and they both died on its 50th anniversary, July 4, 1826.

Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State under Washington, Vice-President under Adams. Jefferson was the first president to shake hands with guests. Previously people bowed to Presidents. Jefferson's library of 6,000 books was purchased for $ 23.950 and formed the basis of the Library of Congress. Principal author of the Declaration of Independence. First president to take his oath in Washington, D.C. Jefferson and Adams were the only presidents to sign the Declaration of Independence He designed his own tombstone and wrote his own epitaph, omitting the fact that he was President of the United States.

James Madison Graduated College of New Jersey (now Princeton University; 1771) Secretary of State under Jefferson. First president who had prior service as a congressman. First president to wear trousers rather than knee breeches. He stood 5 feet 4 inches, the shortest president.

James Monroe Convention of 1818 fixed the boundary between the U.S. and British North America. In 1819 purchased Florida from Spain for the cancellation of $ 5 million in debts. On December 2, 1923 proclaimed the Monroe Doctrine, warning European powers not to interfere in U.S. affairs. First president to ride on a steamboat. The U.S. Marine ban played at his second inaugural and every inauguration since.

John Quincy Adams First elected president not to receive either the most electoral college votes or popular votes. Only son of a president to become a president. He named one of his sons George Washington.

Andrew Jackson No formal education. Placed 2,000 of his political supporters in government jobs and established a "kitchen cabinet" of informal advisors. He was the only president to serve in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. He was the only president to have been a prisoner of war. Wounded in a duel at the age of 39, Jackson carried the bullet, lodged near his heart, to his grave.

Martin Van Buran First president born in the United States of America. He took his four years salary, $100,000, in a lump sum at the end of his term. After serving one term as president, he made three unsuccessful bids for reelection.

William Henry Harrison Harrison gave the longest inaugural address - one hour 45 minutes. Only president who studied to become a doctor. First president to die in office. Served only 30 days before dying.

Works Cited "Presidential Fun Facts." Little Known Fun Facts. Goggle, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. <http://www.littleknownfactsshow.com/presidents.ht ml>.