If you feel like Andrew Jackson’s face looks familiar, you are right, we see the former presidents face quite frequently, on the $20 bill. Jackson, America’s 7th president, was in office between 1829 and 1837. Ironically, he was adamantly against the use of paper money and believed gold and silver coins should be used instead.
He was held captive by the British at the tender age of 13 during the Revolutionary War, making him the only US president who ever spent time as a prisoner of war. Jackson is also known for keeping South Carolina from seceding from the Union and is the only American president to have ever paid off the national debt – in its entirety.
John Adams
John Adams was the 2nd US president and was in office from 1979 to 1801. He was one of the founding fathers of America and some of his achievements include the official founding of the US Navy, earning him the nickname “the father of the American Navy”.
He is also famous for settling a dispute between France and America, but only served one term as he was beaten out by Thomas Jefferson in the subsequent presidential election.
Adams’ Shakespeare Memento
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson used to be quite close before political rivalry got between them. When the two visited the home of renowned playwright William Shakespeare, they decided to chip off a piece of The Bard’s chair.
They wanted to keep a souvenir so they could remember the visit.
Andrew Jackson’s Wild Inauguration Party
Andrew Jackson famously knew how to get along with people, making each person he talked to feel like they had a special connection. The American public also felt this special connection. When the inauguration speech was completed, Jackson and his companions went on to an executive mansion for what was supposed to be an intimate gathering.
A huge crowd of supports of all ages and all walks of life followed them and crashed the reception. The crowd drank copiously, looted the kitchen and left dirt on the floors and carpets. They finally got them to leave only by removing the liquor from the premises.
James Madison
One of America’s founding fathers and the 4th president of the United States, James Madison was nicknamed the “father of the constitution” and held office from 1809 to 1817. Madison attended Princeton University and was an excellent student. He acquired his degree in only two years, after which he stayed on for a year to study with the university president, making him Princeton’s first graduate student.
Madison was well known for his amazing leadership, he committed America to the War of 1812, strengthened the government, established a professional military, and founded the national bank. His wife Dolly also helped define the role of the first lady. She is known for redecorating the White House and setting up outreach programs for orphans and served as a role model for the first ladies that followed.