75 Years Of Change….

With the continuing political upheaval that surrounds us, one is inclined to want to check out memories of our country’s past endeavors and determine how well we have done.
For some, these memories go way back to being the children born before, during, or following the World War II years.
In June we checked out a Star Spangled Trivia and learned some interesting things about ten of our presidents—the type of things you find in books for kids that you don’t see in the history books. For your pleasure, we will do a similar quiz today. Regarding our Presidents:
1. It seems that President _____ _______ was always dressed up, wearing a frock coat and vest with pin-striped trousers, a stiff white shirt, a black satin tie, gloves, a top hat, and a red carnation in his button hole.
2. So many different types and personalities in the thirty-four presidents who came and went before ____ _______, a Roman Catholic, was elected to office.
3. Speaking of personalities, President _____ _____ wasn’t shy. When he ran for President, his opponents printed a list of his duels, fights, shootings, and brawls—all fourteen of them!
4. Probably the largest of Presidents was _______ ________ (over 300 lbs.). When he became President, one of the first things he did was have a special tub built for his White House bathroom. The size of it would hold four men.
5. Many types of jobs lead to being President. We’ve had surveyors, governors, senators, farmers, sailors, lawyers, etc. selected for the leadership of our country. A very honest man. ______ ______, was owner of a men’s shop.
6. _____ _______ raced his rig through the streets of Washington and was actually arrested for speeding.
7. The only president who was elected for a fourth term is well remembered by current citizens for his work during World War II. _______ __________ accomplished so many things following the Great Depression and throughout the second World War years. Citizens were updated daily by the President on radio with Fireside Chats.
8. Known for so many things, one was remiss. His dentures weren’t made of wood. _______ __________’s teeth were made of hippopotamus ivory, bone, animal and human teeth, lead, brass screws, and gold wire.
9. _______ __________ and _______ __________ both died the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
10. _______ __________ took the oath of office August 9, 1974, after Richard Nixon’s resignation. He was the first person to become President without winning a general election for President or Vice President. Section 2 of the 25th Amendment gives the president power (with the permission of Congress) to name a new vice-president if that position becomes vacant. Nixon nominated the Minorities Leader to take Agnew’s position on October 12, 1973.
So much of the evidence concerning our presidents, past and present, is far more interesting to fellow Americans than their political records—until it is time to consider the elections.
Our past history was made for a reason—not to be thrown away but to show us to new and better times… with more wonders to perform.

Trivia answers:
1. William McKinley
2. John Kennedy
3. Andrew Jackson
4. William H. Taft
5. Harry Truman
6. Ulysses Grant
7. Franklin Roosevelt
8. George Washington
9. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
10. Gerald Ford

Kitty Maiden is a staff writer for Seniors Today.