Eisenhower was one of two Presidents born in Texas. He was born in Denison, Texas on October 14, 1890. He was the first President born in Texas.
Dwight Eisenhower was a Presbyterian.
He played football in college and was injured trying to tackle Jim Thorpe. He was on West Point's team but was forced to quit the team due to a knee injury.
General Eisenhower was in charge of the D-Day invasion during World War II. He was made a 5-star general afterward.
Dwight Eisenhower was the first nominee to travel by airplane while campaigning
Eisenhower was the only president who was a licensed pilot, and he initiated the use of Air Force One.
Dwight Eisenhower was the only President who served in WWI and WWII.
President Eisenhower belonged to the Republican Party.
Dwight Eisenhower was the first President to serve under a constitutionally limit presidential term (22nd Amendment.
Dwight Eisenhower was the first president to be baptized after taking office.
Ike was the first President over 49 and later 50 states.
A special green was installed on the White House lawn for him to practice his golf shots.
When the Eisenhowers bought a farm in Gettysburg in 1950, it was the first permanent home they owned.
Dwight Eisenhower was elected President in 1952 and 1956. Dwight Eisenhower's Vice President was Richard Nixon (1953-1961).
Dwight Eisenhower was the first President to have his news conference recorded by both newsreels and television. (January 19, 1955)
He was the first President to fly in a helicopter.
Dwight had a Wiemaraner named Heidi.
Ike was the first President to submerged in an atomic-powered submarine. (Sept. 26, 1957)
He suffered a heart attack while he was president, but recovered quickly.
Dwight Eisenhower liked to eat TV dinners while watching westerns.
He was the first President to appear on color television.
President Eisenhower was President during the conclusion of the Korean War
He enjoyed painting pictures but wasn't able to draw, so he had someone else draw the pictures he painted.
Dwight Eisenhower died in Washington, D.C. on March 28, 1969. He as 78.
Quotes from Dwight Eisenhower:
"America is best described by one word, freedom."
Jan. 9, 1959
"Dollars and guns and no substitutes for brains and will power."
Radio Panel, June 3, 1953
"I just don't believe we should amend ...the Constitution every time we think a new law ought to be passed." May 13, 1959; Press Conference.
Sites:
Eisenhower National Historic Site
Sources:
The Presidents of the United States. 22 September 2004 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/>
Davis, Gibbs and Ilus. David A. Johnson. Wackiest White House Pets. New York: Scholastic Press, October 2004
James, Barber and Amy Pastan. Smithsonian Presidents and First Ladies. New York: DK Publishing, 2002
Harnsberger, Caroline Thomas. Treasury of Presidential Quotations. Chicago: Follett Publishing Company, 1964
Kane, Joseph Natan. Facts about the Presidents from Washington to Johnson. New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1964.
National Park Service Web Site on Presidential Trivia: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/pres/trivia.htm.
