This month we celebrate Presidents’ Day! This federal holiday originally began as a way to honor George Washington’s birthday on February 22nd. Abraham Lincoln has also been recognized and celebrated along with Washington, as his birthday is in the same month. Since then, the day has grown into a more general celebration of all U.S. presidents. So, what better way to honor them than to learn about them? We’ve had forty-six presidents stretching back over 200 years. How well do you know them?
Test your knowledge with our quiz below!1
WHO WAS THIS PRESIDENT?
| This peacetime president balanced the budget every year of his presidency and left the office with a smaller budget than he inherited. He was the only president to accomplish this. | _______________________________ |
| This president lasted only 32 days in office, the shortest stint of any president. | _______________________________ |
| This president became such a skillful poker player while stationed in the Navy during World War II that his winnings helped launch his political career when he returned to the United States. | _______________________________ |
| This president’s likeness appeared on the $500 bill, which was discontinued in 1969. | _______________________________ |
| This president was originally reluctant to becoming the president of the United States, and once said, “Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who make excuses.” | _______________________________ |
| This is one our most famous presidents, featured on Mount Rushmore and given a nickname for his honesty. | _______________________________ |
| On record for being the shortest president at 5’4” and weighing barely over 100 pounds. He is also known as the ‘Father of the Constitution’. | _______________________________ |
| This president and his wife, Abigail, exchanged more than 1,100 letters over the course of their lengthy relationship.2 | _______________________________ |
| This president was also the youngest president in office and the first American to win a Nobel Peace Prize. He is responsible for officially naming the ‘White House’ and had a substantial role in the Panama Canal being made. | _______________________________ |
| He was the first president born in a hospital in 1924, was one of two presidents who did not wear designer suits, and famously owned a peanut farm. | ________________________________ |
On behalf of everyone on my team, make it a memorable Presidents’ Day!
Answers:
1. Calvin Coolidge 2. William Henry Harrison 3. Richard M. Nixon 4. William McKinley 5. George Washington 6. Abraham Lincoln 7. James Madison 8. John Adams 9. Theodore Roosevelt 10. Jimmy Carter
Sources:
1 Presidents | The White House. (n.d.). The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/