Fun Facts About Our Presidents (and July 4th)

You can check out this website to learn (in a fun way) more about the meaning of the July 4th holiday.

While Americans began to celebrate July 4th in 1777 with a 13 cannon salute in honor of the 13 original colonies, it was not declared an official holiday until 1870.

Two of our founding presidents died on July 4th, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.  What an amazing coincidence. Do you know who they are? You can find out on the website above.

For example:
How many presidents have we had in our nation’s history?
How many vice presidents have become president?
How many presidents served more than one term?
How many presidents were assassinated?
How many presidents were impeached?
How many of the presidents listed below can you name? This image was a few years dated, so it does not have presidents Trump or Biden included.

For a great page with good (and fun) information, check out this page on ConstitutionUS.com.

There will always be subjectivity on this question. Still, this site has a very good methodology and some "longitudinal" (as years go by) data. Check it out here!

I was not surprised by any of the top choices in this study. My own ranking was similar. And you can easily do a Google search to find other surveys on this as well.

Sadly, most of them agree that the only president from Pennsylvania is the worst ever! Do you know who he is? Hint: There is a Lancaster museum dedicated to him. You can learn more about this president and the museum at this site.

I collect quotes and here are a few I had handy. Enjoy them. Ponder one or two of them.

Let your heart feel for the affliction and distress of everyone. George Washington

Few people have virtue to withstand the highest bidder. George Washington

In my many years I have come to a conclusion, that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress.  John Adams

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.  John Adams

Because power corrupts, society’s demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.  John Adams

Most bad government has grown out of too much government. Thomas Jefferson

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams

I am for those means which will give the greatest good to the greatest number. Abraham Lincoln

Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right. Abraham Lincoln

We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage. Teddy Roosevelt

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both. Dwight Eisenhower

Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time. Gerald Ford

We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. Ronald Reagan

How about you? Do you have any favorite presidential quotes?

And have a great July 4th holiday.

Pastor Brian