The Maas' have taken the day off to celebrate President's Day so this entry will have a distinctive non-football flair to it. Well, I took the day off. The Wife® actually got to observe the holiday as she is a state employee. She's lucky that way. Get's Columbus Day and other non-significant holiday's off as well.

But President's Day is significant. I have always loved studying the U.S. Presidents. A look at my grade school (Washington Elementary) library card would have shown numerous references to presidential related tomes. Couldn't get enough of it. Going to be playing presidential trivia? I am your ringer. Let's try a couple.

His hands shook with palsy, and most of his teeth had fallen out. He refused to wear dentures, and thus, talked with a lisp. Although he was beset with illnesses, he was the longest-living president.

Know who that was? If you do, leave a comment by using the Comments link at the end of this entry. Here's another:

His health was generally poor. At 24, he suffered a nervous breakdown and spent several weeks in a sanitarium in Battle Creek, Mich., run by the breakfast cereal king, Dr. J.P. Kellogg. He returned there for rest from time to time. He hated confrontation. He was humble to the point of admitting his own limitations.

And one more:

In law school, he was acquired the nickname Gloomy Gus because of his sober demeanor. This president's personality has spawned many books exploring his psychological makeup. He played golf, bowled and swam. He was a sharp poker player.

For more on each President, try this great link at the Detroit Free Press.

Here's an interesting story on the favorite foods of the U.S. presidents. It's a great idea for a cook book and also is amazing to see how past presidential estates were gushing to assist.

Here are some Presidential recipe's you can try for yourself!

And did you know that the U.S. Presidents are some damn fine dancers?

And had really, really good penmanship?

And some of the most interesting historical presidential tidbits often comes from their own presidential campaigns. To wit, here are some actual presidential campaign slogans from past presidents and wanna-be challengers:

1844 Henry Clay: Who is James K. Polk?

Well, Henry he became 11th President of The United States.

1860 Abraham Lincoln: Vote Yourself a Farm.

It was always about the farmers. Even way back then.

1884 Grover Cleveland: Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine, The Continental Liar from the State of Maine.
1884 James Blaine: Ma, Ma, Where’s my Pa, Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha.

Wow. And we thought the last few elections were bitter. 1884 sounds like it was a hoot!

1900 William McKinley: A Full Dinner Pail.

He was standing in a receiving line at the Buffalo Pan-American Exposition when a deranged anarchist shot him twice. He died eight days later.

1916 Woodrow Wilson: He kept us out of war.

In 1917 he proclaimed American entrance into World War I a crusade to make the world "safe for democracy."

1928 Herbert Hoover: A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.

His election seemed to ensure prosperity. Yet within months the stock market crashed, and the Nation spiraled downward into depression.

1976 Jimmy Carter: Not Just Peanuts.

I'm not going there.

1988 George Bush: Kinder, Gentler Nation.

Uh-huh.

1992 Bill Clinton: Putting People First.

Especially female interns.

Now then, it's time for you to participate. Who was the greatest president of all time? I've tried to play it even-steven between the Donkeys and the Elephants but if one of these nine doesn't suit your taste, just leave a comment within the poll itself.

Posted by maasx003 at February 21, 2005 12:26 PM | TrackBack