Positively Presidential

Looking for role models for your kids? Find out why Washington and Lincoln are two great candidates -- personal quirks and all!

Quiz

1. When George Washington called out "Sweetlips" and "True Love," he was referring to

Betsy Ross.
Goodness no -- how scandalous! What would Martha have thought? George Washington was known for his integrity, not for his philandering.
Washington was also known as an animal lover. "Sweetlips" and "True Love" were the names of his dogs.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
His wife Martha.
Nope. Though he did write some mushy love poetry in his day, Washington was more widely known as an animal lover. "Sweetlips" and "True Love" were the names of his dogs.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
His dogs.
Yes! Washington was an animal lover. He was particularly devoted to his faithful dogs, "Sweetlips," "True Love," "Vulcan," and "Madame Moose."
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull

2. George Washington was a striking, but not necessarily handsome, man. Which of the following detracted from his looks? He had:

No eyebrows.
Nope. Washington had eyebrows as well as smallpox scars on his face. He also wore false teeth that pushed his mouth out of shape. But other than that, he looked pretty presidential. He was very tall and muscular, and wore his military uniform at every opportunity.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
A large mole on his nose.
You picked the wrong blemish. George Washington didn't have a mole on his nose, he had smallpox scars on his face. He also wore false teeth that pushed his mouth out of shape. But other than that, he looked pretty presidential. He was very tall and muscular, and wore his military uniform at every opportunity.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
Smallpox scars on his face.
You picked the right blemish! George Washington did have smallpox scars on his face. He also wore false teeth that pushed his mouth out of shape. But other than that, he looked pretty presidential. He was very tall and muscular, and wore his military uniform at every opportunity.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull

3. Washington was famous for his bravery and endurance. Legend has it that he:

Slept with one eye open.
Nope. When Washington slept, it was with both eyes closed. But he was known to stay awake for days at a time. The legend is that Washington could walk through gunfire without receiving so much as a scratch.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
Walked right through gunfire.
Right on target! Some say that Washington could walk through gunfire without receiving so much as a scratch. He was also known to stay awake for days at time, and during the Revolutionary War, the British deemed him a relentless adversary.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
Walked over hot coals.
Nope, walking on coals was not part of Washington's repertoire. But some say that he could walk through gunfire without receiving so much as a scratch. He was also known to stay awake for days at time, and during the Revolutionary War, the British deemed him a relentless adversary.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull

4. What nicknames did Abraham Lincoln have for his wife Mary?

"Puss."
You're partly right. "Puss" was just one of the pet names Lincoln had for his wife, Mary Todd. He also called her "Little Woman" and, after their children were born, "Mother." She referred to him as Mr. Lincoln.
Mary Todd was known for her fiery temper, and The White House staff referred to her in less flattering terms as "Her Satanic Majesty" and "the Hellcat."
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
"Little Woman."
You're partly right. "Little Woman" was just one of the pet names Lincoln had for his wife, Mary Todd. He also called her "Puss" and, after their children were born, "Mother." She referred to him as Mr. Lincoln.
Mary Todd was known for her fiery temper, and The White House staff referred to her in less flattering terms as "Her Satanic Majesty" and "the Hellcat."
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
"Mother."
You're partly right. "Mother" was just one of the pet names Lincoln had for his wife, Mary Todd. He also called her "Puss" and "Little Woman." She referred to him as Mr. Lincoln.
Mary Todd was known for her fiery temper, and The White House staff referred to her in less flattering terms as "Her Satanic Majesty" and "the Hellcat."
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
All of the above.
You got it! President Lincoln had a number of pet names for his wife Mary Todd. He called her "Puss," "Little Woman," and after their children were born, "Mother." She referred to him as Mr. Lincoln.
Mary Todd was known for her fiery temper, and The White House staff referred to her in less flattering terms as "Her Satanic Majesty" and "the Hellcat."
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull

5. The palms of Lincoln's hands were often swollen and blistered because he:

Liked to "high five" his cabinet members.
No, "high fiving" was not a common practice at the time. But Lincoln did shake an extraordinary number of hands. From dawn until dusk, he'd receive visitors and listen to their complaints and requests.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
Shook a lot of hands.
You called it! Lincoln did shake an extraordinary number of hands. From dawn until dusk, he'd receive visitors and listen to their complaints and requests.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
Was an avid golfer.
Nope. Lincoln was more inclined to read a book than hit the links. His hands were often blistered because he shook an extraordinary number of hands everyday. From dawn until dusk, he'd receive visitors and listen to their complaints and requests.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull

6. How many death threats did Lincoln receive during his time in office?

Nearly 100.
No. He actually received many more than that, even before he was elected president. During his presidency, Lincoln received more than 10,000 death threats. Even so, he took very few safety precautions. He usually traveled without escort or guard because he thought that a president should not be shielded from the people.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
About 1,000.
No. He actually received many more than that, some before he was even elected president. During his presidency, Lincoln received more than 10,000 death threats. Even so, he took very few safety precautions. He usually traveled without escort or guard because he thought that a president should not be shielded from the people.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull
More than 10,000.
Yes! Lincoln began receiving death threats even before he was elected president. And during his presidency, he received more than 10,000. Even so, Lincoln took very few safety precautions. He usually traveled without escort or guard because he thought that a president should not be shielded from the people.
Source: Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame and What the Neighbors Really Thought, by Kathleen Krull

1. When George Washington called out "Sweetlips" and "True Love," he was referring to
His dogs.

2. George Washington was a striking, but not necessarily handsome, man. Which of the following detracted from his looks? He had:
Smallpox scars on his face.

3. Washington was famous for his bravery and endurance. Legend has it that he:
Walked right through gunfire.

4. What nicknames did Abraham Lincoln have for his wife Mary?
All of the above.

5. The palms of Lincoln's hands were often swollen and blistered because he:
Shook a lot of hands.

6. How many death threats did Lincoln receive during his time in office?
More than 10,000.

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