15 Ridiculous Myths (And Insane Facts) About U.S. Presidents
Believe it or not, Abe Lincoln was a real person. Oh sure sure, he SEEMS like a kindly freedom-giant of the mythic past, who strode out of the fog and into kicking Robert E. Lee's butt. But isn't it more interesting if he was a real guy? Heck, isn't it more interesting if EVERY past President was an actual human being, with dreams and sicknesses and fixations like anybody else? And strangest of all, what if the elaborate myths we build around POTUSes are both untrue AND the least interesting thing about them?
On this week's episode of The Cracked Podcast, Alex Schmidt is joined by Elliott Kalan (MST3K, The Daily Show) for a deep dive into the fake facts you've been told about Presidents, and the more incredible real facts you deserve to know. Find out why James K. Polk was like Pinhead from the 'Hellraiser' movies. Find out how Calvin Coolidge (a very talkative person) revolutionized Presidential communication. And stick around to discover which POTUS wanted to capture a living woolly mammoth, haul it to D.C., and show it off to the Europeans.
Footnotes:
"Presidents Are People Too!" podcast
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return
The President Is a Sick Man by Matthew Algeo
Mitt Romney buying Honey Nut Cheerios (Reddit)
Danzig Defends Kitty Litter Pic (Stereogum)
5 Famous Pieces of Presidential Trivia (That Are Total BS) (Cracked)
5 Historical Figures Everybody Gets Totally Wrong (Cracked)
4 Presidential Scandals Somehow Dumber Than Today's (Cracked)
James K. Polk and the U.S. Mexican War: A Policy Appraisal (PBS)
Rutherford B. Hayes, National Hero of Paraguay (Mental Floss)
On This Day In History: June 1st, 1900: Future President Hoover caught in Boxer Rebellion (History)
Belgian Exhibit Honors Hoover's WWI Effort (NPR)
Herbert Hoover in the White House: The Ordeal of the Presidency by Charles Rappleye
5 Reasons George Washington Was Either Lucky or a Wizard (Cracked)
The many myths of George Washington (Boston.com)
George Washington Didn't Have Wooden Teeth-They Were Ivory (Smithsonian)
What Did George Washington Really Look Like? (Science)
How To Fight Presidents by Daniel O'Brien
5 Reasons Groot Is the Greatest Hero of the 21st Century (Cracked Video)
