Tuesday January 2oth 2009 is Inauguration Day for every American President. I felt it would be interesting to read about weird things that have happened to American Presidents on their special day. So this week I have relied on Encarta for my information. Many of you probably knew some of the weird facts, having to be weird to read my stuff; But Being weird as well, I was amazed by a few of the inauguration facts and I was glad that I looked up the information and learned some interesting history that is not generally known.
1. The longest inaugural speech in U.S. history was given by, President William Henry Harrison, one hour and 45 minutes. Harrison gave the speech during a snowstorm and without an overcoat, conditions that are often blamed for his premature death by pneumonia. It wasn't being out in bad weather that caused his illness. It was a common cold, caught weeks after the inauguration, which turned into pneumonia and was worsened by the hectic schedule of a newly elected president.
2. President Andrew Jackson, regarded as a "man of the people," had to flee through the back door of his own inaugural reception in 1829 when a crowd crashed his party. Thousands of supporters came to the capital for the inauguration, and though some came looking for jobs, most came to support Jackson and cheer their new president. After his speech, the crowds swarmed the reception, mingling with government officials and generally regarding the house as theirs. Mud was tracked in, china and glasses were broken, and the crowds only left when the refreshments were put on the lawn outside.
3. On the day of Richard Nixon's 1973 inauguration, Pennsylvania Avenue was scattered with sick and dead pigeons. At the president's request, the inauguration committee spent $13,000 to spread a chemical bird repellent on the tree branches along the parade route to deter the pigeons. According to the Washington Post, the chemicals in Roost-No-More were supposed to cause the birds' feet to itch so they wouldn't roost in the trees. Unfortunately, the birds ate the repellent, causing them to get sick and die along the parade route. Not only was Nixon a crook but a bird killer as well.
4. After criticism for his first inauguration in 1981, which cost $16.3 million for nine white-tie balls, President Ronald Reagan attempted to scale back the budget and have a more "for the people" celebration. However, the budget ballooned from $12 million to $20 million, and there were 10 balls instead of nine and two galas instead of one. Apparently, "scaling back" meant that the balls were black tie instead of white and the entertainment was less high-brow than at previous events, according
5.After the north wing of the Treasury Building proved too small for President
Ulysses S. Grant's first inaugural ball in 1869, a temporary structure was built in Judiciary Square for his second inaugural ball in 1873. The structure had no heat or insulation, so guests danced in their coats and hats to stay warm in the minus-4-degree temperature, the food was cold, the hot chocolate and coffee ran out and the caged canaries used as decorations froze to death.
6. The weather was so bad at Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration that pedestrians who could not swim were urged to stay away from the muddy, rain-soaked streets.
7. For Richard Nixon's second inauguration, Vietnam War protesters dragged around a 25-foot-long rat made out of paper and chicken wire. To the protesters, the rat was symbolic of President Nixon. It was part of the largest Inauguration Day protest in U.S. history, with more than 25,000 protesters. According to the Washington Post, the ceremony went well and was "unmarred by any serious incidents." So much for the media being honest. Where is Joe the Plumber when you need him?
8. Ulysses S. Grant's first inauguration in 1869 ended with fights in the coat-check line many guests abandoning their coats and hats due to an extremely long wait. Newspapers reported illiterates who were unable to read the claim tickets staffed the coat checkroom.
Another interesting fact, A similar event occurred at the end of the evening of a 1989 inaugural celebration when Republicans actually stormed the coat check of the Texas State Society's Tie and Boots ball, later referred to as "The Bastille Day Coat Check Affair." But then we all know that republican's are not too intelligent
9. At the first inaugural ball, held for James Madison in 1809, it got so hot inside the hotel that guests broke out windows for ventilation. Madison's wife Dolly must have been quite warm, herself; she was wearing a gown with a long velvet train and a Parisian headdress decked out with feathers and white satin. Dolly became an American hero when the White House was attacked and set on fire, she saved important documents and pictures that were and are irreplaceable and instruments in the birth of our nation. Thank you Dolly! Way to go girl!
10.Woodrow Wilson refused to have a ball for his 1913 inauguration because he considered it inappropriate for such a distinguished and serious occasion. His wife Ellen, had no such feelings. And unfortunately for her, she had already purchased a gown for the affair.