Odd Coincidences in American Presidential History

I was a History Major in college. All my life, I have been interested in History and Politics. One aspect of history that has always captured my interest are the strange coincidences that occurred over time. Below are some of my favorites. You may have already heard of some but there are links and suggestions for more information. 

Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln

Legend has it that Teddy Roosevelt's Grandfather, a powerful businessman in New York, admired President Lincoln very much. When Lincoln was killed, the funeral procession was scheduled to run through New York. Roosevelt's home was at the end of the most prestigious street in New York at the time, Broadway, and the funeral procession passed by directly in front of the home. There is a picture of the moment when the procession passes the Roosevelt home and if you look closely in the second story window you can see two small children looking down on the procession. One of them is Teddy Roosevelt, who would later become President when William McKinley was himself killed by an assassin. It is no wonder that TR transformed the Secret Service that we all know today.

For a good detailed expanation regarding Lincoln's funeral procession and the aftermath, including Teddy Roosevlt and the attempted theft of Lincoln's body, I suggest watching "Stealing Lincoln's Body" on the History Channel.

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two of America's founding fathers and the second and third Presidents of the United States respectively. The two were both instrumental in America's fight for Independence and the drafting of the Constitution.

Despite their shared passion for democracy, the two could not be more different. Adams was a short, pompous and pious man from the North and Jefferson was tall, humble and awkward. The two spent almost the span of their adult lives at odds. They disagreed on what path the new nation should take. Adams believed in a centralized government while Jefferson believed in more localized and state control. The election of 1796, where the two faced each other, was one of the most cankerous in our nation's history. What the two candidate's sides said about each other makes today's election look downright civil. Adams won the election by a mere three electoral votes. Jefferson was forced to serve as Adam's Vice President under the Constitution. (This was later changed by Amendment) Jefferson defeated Adams in 1800 by another slim margin.

After the election battles the two did not speak for many years. Then, they began corresponding by letter. The two became great friends. Amazingly, on July 4, 1826, fifty years to the day since the founding of a nation the two helped build together, Adams and Jefferson both died. Adams is quoted as saying "Thomas Jefferson survives."

For a detailed explanation of Jefferson and Adams' debates and friendship I suggest reading David McCullough's "John Adams." McCullough details the substantial correspondence between the Jefferson and Adams in great detail.

George Washington - Leader Of The British

In every elementary school in America, children learn about our Country's first President, George Washington.  We have all heard the stories about he could not tell a lie to his father about cutting down the Cherry Tree.  But what many do not know is that George Washington was a British leader as well.

At twenty-two years of age, George Washington fired some of the first shots of what would become known as the French-Indian War.  The war started in the 1750s when the British began building forts in what was known as Ohio.  Ohio at the time was claimed by the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The Governor sent the young Washington to ascertain the strength of the French forces.  Washington also delivered a letter to the French demanding that they leave Ohio.

They of course declined.  War broke out soon after and Washington served as a Colonel.  After winning a small battle, Washington lost a battle to the French at Fort Necessity.  Washington resigned after being released by the French, only to volunteer a few years later to serve under General Braddock.  After distinguishing himself as a leader under terrible circumstances, Washington resigned again from the British army; this time because he was refused a promotion.  He returned to Virginia and the rest is History.

The French Indian War was a very costly war for the British.  As a direct result of the war and the need to keep British soldiers in the colonies after the war, King George decided to raise taxes on the colonists.  This heightened taxation was one of the leading causes of the American Revolution.  As we all know, George Washington was the commander in chief of the American Revolutionary Army.

The odd coincidence, George Washington helped trigger the French Indian War as a leader of the British Army.  It was this war that helped lead a revolution against the British led by George Washington. 

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Bill Clinton - Jeered Then Revered

 In 1988 the Democrats nominated Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis for President.  Dukakis eventually lost the election to George Herbert Walker Bush handidly, but it was who gave the nomination Speech at the convention that goes down in History.  As Dukakis was a liberal governor from the Northeast, he chose the little known Governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton to deliver the speech nominating Dukakis for President. 

Bill Clinton's speech that night was not well received.  Most found Clinton's speech boring and all thought his 32 minute speech was way too long.  Long time journalist Tom Brokaw remarked, "He droned on and on, and droned on," said Brokaw. "When he finally said 'In conclusion,' people began to cheer."  Most believed that Clinton's introduction to the nation was so bad that his political career was over.

Oddly, Bill Clinton only four years later accepted the Democratic Nomination for President before a huge crowd in New York City.  He won two terms as President and until Barack Obama came on the scene in 2008 was the most loved Democrat.  He still brings excitement wherever he goes and oddly, people love to hear him speak.

Booth Saves Lincoln's Life

Everybody knows that John Wilkes Booth killed Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre. But few know that a Booth saved a Lincoln a few years before that fateful night in 1865.

Edwin Booth was John Wilkes Booth's older brother. One night Edwin was standing on a railraod platform waiting to enter a sleeping car in Jersey City. Booth was there with John T. Ford, the owner of Ford's Theatre. A group of passengers were purchasing their sleeping car places from the conductor. The platform was about the same height as the car and their was a space in between the platform and the car. The train began to move and the motion twisted on the passengers off his feet and he fell into the space. The passenger was helpless and Booth reportedly grabbed him by the coat collar and pulled him up back onto the platform. The passenger gave Booth his gratitude.

The passenger that night was Robert Tood Lincoln, the President's son who was traveling to Washington for the holidays. Lincoln relayed the story to a friend who wrote Booth a letter informing him of whom he had saved. Sources also state that General Grant also sent Booth a letter thanking him for saving Lincoln's life who was then serving the General staff.

There is no evidence that Robert ever told his parents about the incident and the incident was not reported in the newspapers. Years later, of course, Booth's name would be synonymous with the death of a Lincoln, but it should not be forgotten that a Booth did save Lincoln's life as well.

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Comments

EdwardLane on November 24, 2016:

That is an excellent article about the presidents. I never knew Roosevelt's grandfather was an admirer of Lincoln. Fascinating story. Thank you for sharing.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on May 12, 2013:

Thanks Paradigm. I agree.

ParadigmEnacted on May 11, 2013:

Awesome. This is the kind of stuff people should write about.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on May 06, 2012:

Writingguru,

I am actually a huge Adams fan and believe he receives too little credit for his role in Revolution and the Constitution. But I think the description is fairly accurate.

I appreciate your comments and thanks for stopping by.

writingguru456 on May 06, 2012:

I love this quotation of history but I do believe your language is a little harsh on Adams compared to Jefferson not criticizing just an opinion thanks for this hub :)

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on December 30, 2010:

Jon,

Appreciate your right to rant, but your rants have to be on the topics of the hubs. So you are gone.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on August 01, 2010:

Jon,

This is a historical hub, hijack one of the political ones if you want to debate.

JON EWALL from usa on July 31, 2010:

bgpappa

YOU'RE RIGHT but you still don't understand that George Bush pulled us out of what Clinton ( recession ) left him when George Bush took over.But really, let's be fair Bush served 8 years with a Democrat majority run Congress the last 2 years and let's not forget Obama and Biden were there too. That's history now except for VP Biden and Barak Obama still telling the American people that they were left with huge problems.ONE MUST GUESS THAT THEY FORGOT THAT The Democrats have been in super majority charge of Congress since 2007 up to the present.The last 19 months with President Obama they still don't know how to run the economy,haven't reduced the deficits and now are in turmoil for the coming elections.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on July 06, 2010:

What does this have to do with this hub. It took eight years to drag this Country down to near ruin, might take a little more than two years to fix all of his screwups.

JON EWALL from usa on July 06, 2010:

HUBBERS

President Obama having been in office 19 months has not solved the economy and job issues. Unemployment remains at 9.7% and the deficit is sky rocking. Congress is not following PAY-GO legislation rules. The 2011 budget presented by the house shows a $1.3 billion deficit. The budget will now go to the senate ,hopefully debated ,for approval.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on June 26, 2010:

ok, true statement.

Thanks for reading

JON EWALL from usa on June 26, 2010:

bgpappa

AMERICAN HISTORY,the first black president in the whitehouse was why many citizens voted for Barak Obama.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on June 25, 2010:

sounds interesting, and I agree, you won't see that in many history books. Hopefully that will change.

Thanks for the comment.

JON EWALL from usa on June 25, 2010:

bgpappa

On 6/25/10 glen beck show will introduce men of color who WERE instrumental in the building of our nation. You won't see this in many history books.

Check it out.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on June 14, 2010:

Yes it it. Thanks for reading.

Booby_man on June 14, 2010:

history is one of the worlds best subject

its full of facts that keeps modren life keep going

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on May 25, 2010:

Thanks

johnpolk on May 25, 2010:

This is interesting! i like your hub. and also i like topics concerning our history and the politics. keep it coming. post some more. thank you for sharing this.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on May 24, 2010:

THanks for reading

johnpolk on May 24, 2010:

This is a great and nice hub particularly on history...One thing more, I like the picture posted here it's cool!

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on February 09, 2010:

Thanks so much. Those who do not learn history are damned to repeat it.

Thanks for reading.

cashmere from India on February 09, 2010:

Phenomenal Hub. I guess its not for nothing that they say you need to study your history to know your future.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on February 04, 2010:

Thanks for the comment.

mel22 from , on February 04, 2010:

I had hear all this b4, but it was great 2 read them all in one story. Thanks 4 sharing these odd coicidences !

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on December 23, 2009:

Thanks so much

Dao Hoa on December 23, 2009:

Interesting coincidences. I love the History Channel too. Great hub.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on November 08, 2009:

thanks for reading

Don A. Hoglund from Wisconsin Rapids on November 08, 2009:

nice hub

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on September 22, 2009:

I love those History Channel shows. Very interesting.

Thanks for reading.

Kim Garcia on September 22, 2009:

Very well written and quite fascinating. There is so much on the History Channel these days concerning our founding forefathers, especially in regards to Freemasonry. But much you've written about here is new news to me and quite interesting trivia. Thank you for posting. Peace n' Blessings!! ~ K

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on September 09, 2009:

Thank you so much

SALVAONEGIANNAOLCOM from south and west of canada,north of ohio on September 09, 2009:

I count this among one of the best hubs I've read.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on August 19, 2009:

A Texan,

Agreed, History is more than names and dates, but lessons live in the stories.

Thanks for the comment.

A Texan on August 18, 2009:

I liked the stories pappa, I had heard the Booth one a long time ago but had forgotten it. I to love History, its funny how we never seem to learn from it!

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on June 11, 2009:

Fair Point but the Colonists blamed the King, and he ignored repeated requests to do something, but you are correct that it was Parliament that passed the taxes.

Thanks for reading.

bryce89 on June 10, 2009:

First off I enjoyed your hub very much. I do have to point out that the tax increases after the French and Indian War on the American Colonists were by acts of the British Parliament and not the King.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on March 18, 2009:

Ya, I know, it is hard to see. Best one I could fine.

Dolores Monet from East Coast, United States on March 18, 2009:

you could write a book about odd coincidences in American history, interesting hub, big pappa, loved the photo of the little TR in the window, not like i could actually see him, but i believe you

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on March 15, 2009:

Tony, fair point, I think I will take your advice. Thanks.

Tony McGregor from South Africa on March 15, 2009:

Interesting Hub - thanks. Just a small quibble - I have this perception that people from the US see the US as almost the whole world. The 'odd coincidences' you mention are all in US history and maybe your title could have reflected that.

Intersting read for all that.

Love and peace

Tony

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on March 13, 2009:

I agree. The details are what make it interesting. Thanks for reading.

James Brown from United States of America on March 13, 2009:

This is interesting tibits of forgotten history. It's amazing how we focus on the major historical points but ignore the small details that makes it all worth the time. Thanks for sharing!

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on March 09, 2009:

Not at all Christa and thanks.

Christa Dovel from The Rocky Mountains, North America on March 09, 2009:

I had never heard either story -- wonderful information! I bookmarked this page as a homeschooling reference. Mind if I link to you also?

LondonGirl from London on March 09, 2009:

I would watch the History Channel, if we had it, I t hink.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on March 09, 2009:

I have a different take. I wonder what the history channel will be saying about us 100 years from. How will Obama's election be portrayed. Or George Bush, how will history look back at his term.

Always seemed that when we needed it the most, something amazing happened.

Thanks for reading

Andromeda10 from Chicago on March 09, 2009:

I LOVE to live through history. I love old movies and the History Channel is my favorite too! I arrive at one of two outcomes of feelings. 1) I wish I lived then, so simple, love the style, so romantic. OR 2) I'm SO glad I didn't live in that time, which makes it all the more interesting.

Thanks bgpappa!

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on March 08, 2009:

I totally agree, its the stories that make history interesting, not dates and names.

LondonGirl from London on March 08, 2009:

wonderful hub - I also love both history and politics, and small details really bring it alive.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on March 07, 2009:

History Channel and Food Network, just about all I watch.

tony0724 from san diego calif on March 07, 2009:

Interesting nuggets of history there bgpappa ! I like the History Channel too !

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on March 07, 2009:

That is very true Iron. Didn't want to get into the history too much as it wasn't the topic of the hub. McCullough's book does a great job retelling that story as well.

The show on the History Channel was excellent.

Iconoclast from Chicago, IL on March 07, 2009:

You forgot to mention that the reason for the slim margin was Aaron Burr's tie with Jefferson, a tie that took over a dozen Senate votes to break.

Proud Mom from USA on March 07, 2009:

I've read the book, "Stealing Lincoln's Body", and DVR-ed the show. I haven't watched it yet, but I hope to get to soon. The book was EXCELLENT!! the Prologue was one of the best parts!!

Great hub--I'm a history nut, too.

bgpappa (author) from Sacramento, California on March 07, 2009:

I thought it was pretty good as well. Of course it tells the story of the worst criminal plan in History but it had some good information.

Thanks for reading.

Amy G on March 07, 2009:

Very interesting stuff! I have never seen the first photo, of the kids in the window. I've seen that documentary about Lincoln's body, it's pretty good.

Thanks for the read!