Anybody that knows me well at all knows I love history and I love trivia. And today, while doing some reading, I ran across some historical trivia that is absolutely intriguing and almost unbelievable. In fact, I had to do additional research just to make sure it’s actually true! Get ready for this!
My cousin Betty Patterson, my friend Kay Hughes Marchand and I are on a mission to visit all the presidential libraries in the United States. History is important to us and the libraries are so very fascinating. Back in October of 2024, we visited the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa. We all agreed it was one of the best libraries we visited so far. We learned so much about President Hoover, but we didn’t learn this fact that I learned today. Are you ready???
We all know President Abraham Lincoln was tragically assassinated in 1865. Here’s the unbelievable part: since that day, every single US president—in other words, every US president who has served as our nation’s leader since President Lincoln’s assassination until now—was alive during some part of President Herbert Hoover’s life.
Think on that just a moment, let it sink in…
It doesn’t sound right, does it?
I mean, it almost sounds like a trick—like it just couldn’t make sense….but it’s true!
The secret lies in just how long President Hoover lived. Born on August 10th, 1874 in West Branch and passing away on October 20th, 1964, he was alive at the same time as 29 U.S. Presidents—(including himself of course!). That’s nearly two-thirds of every president in American history…or 29 out the 45 men who have served.
Let’s look at the math and the facts:
The presidents from the 1800s:
President Andrew Johnson took over right after President Lincoln died in 1865. Pres. Johnson didn’t pass away until 1875, which means he was alive during the first year of baby Herbert Hoover’s life.
The next President, Ulysses S. Grant lived until 1885 and every other 19th century president that came after hin overlapped with President Hoover’s life easily.
Now let’s jump forward to our modern presidents.
For the chain to stay unbroken today, our most recent presidents had to be born before President Hoover died in October of 1964… and they ALL were.
Here’s some examples:
President Joe Biden was born in 1942.
President Donald Trump, President Bill Clinton, and President George W. Bush were all born in 1946.
President Barack Obama was born in August of 1961. He was a three-year-old toddler when President Herbert Hoover passed away.
Because President Obama, our youngest living president, was alive before President Hoover died, the chain remains perfectly intact.
Until our country elects a president who was born after October 20th, 1964, this incredible line of history connects every single leader straight back to President Hoover.
I hope you found it as interesting as I do. Please share this post with other history lovers today.
Seriously – this is really pretty cool!l, y’all!
Now – a bonus question for those of you who are still with me! What U.S. President set the record for living the longest? Was it President Hoover? Yes? No? If not him, then who???