March 17, 2004
Presidential Fun Fact of the Day
Some tidbits from Ulysses S. Grant's inaugurations:
1. Grant did not seem to enjoy the time leading up to his first inaugural. His secretary wrote that the president-elect was "very reserved and even restrained."
2. The weather in Washington, D.C. was cold for both of Grant's inaugurations, but especially the second. It was so cold that the musicians' instruments froze up for the parade and there was no music.
3. After taking the Oath of Office, Grant turned to his wife to say, "And now, my dear, I hope you're satisfied."
4. No alcohol was served at the inaugural reception. This was meant to discourage rowdy behavior.
5. When the waitstaff couldn't keep up wth the demand for food, there was a stampede of guests rushing to the kitchen. A cook threw dishcloths at people to keep them at bay.
Posted by Jennifer at March 17, 2004 11:58 AMTweet
My favorite U.S. Grant trivia relates to something I noticed at the museum made from his one-time home in Galena Illinois. There was one portrait of him as a young man in which he was clean shaven. He had no chin. That neatly trimmed beard of his was much longer than it appeared and made him much better looking.
Mine merely looks better than the stubble I would leave because I couldn't be bothered shaving every day.
Jew