Happy Birthday Mr. President! artwork

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

44 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratings

With each episode published on the birthday of a President of the United States, this podcast dives into the personal and professional lives of those who have held the highest office in the land since 1789. Join Jeff Myers and Karissa Slate on an adventure through American history as they share the good, the bad, and the ugly details of the presidents' personal life stories covering everyone from President George Washington to President Donald Trump!

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Episodes

Episode 44 - James K. Polk

November 02, 2020 00:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MB

James K. Polk was born on November 2, 1795 in Mecklenburg County, NC, and he was the 11th President of the United States. Historically one of our nation's lesser known presidents, Polk did more in one term than many presidents have done in two terms! Thanks to Polk, America spans "from sea to shining sea!" Learn more on this episode of #HappyBirthdayMrPresident about the first darkhorse candidate, and the man who died a short three months after leaving office at the young age of 53. ...

Episode 43 - Warren G. Harding

November 02, 2020 00:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MB

Warren G. Harding was born on November 2, 1865 in Corsica, OH, and he was the 29th President of the United States. The former teacher, insurance salesman, and newspaper man was, arguably, the most corrupt president in American history! Stories of extramarital affairs, nervous breakdowns, and an illegitimate child followed Harding throughout his political career. And is it true he was the first president to appear on the World Series of Poker?! Learn more on this episode of #HappyBirt...

Episode 42 - John Adams

October 30, 2020 00:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MB

John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 in Braintree (now Quincy), MA, and he was the 2nd President of the United States. Feisty and hot-tempered, Adams represented the British soldiers accused of murder in the Boston Massacre. He was a consummate statesman serving the newly established United States of America as Minister to France, the Netherlands, and England. He was a colleague of Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. Although he found bei...

Episode 41 - Theodore Roosevelt

October 27, 2020 00:00 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MB

Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858 in New York, NY, and he was the 26th President of the United States. Born a sickly & asthmatic child, Teddy worked his body to become one of the roughest & toughest presidents in our nation's history. He was a Rough Rider in the Spanish-American War, a Nobel Prize winner, and a staunch conservationist of our nations natural resources. Learn more about this accidental president on this episode of #HappyBirthdayMrPresident. And is it true...

Episode 40 - Dwight D. Eisenhower

October 14, 2020 00:00 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MB

Dwight D. Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890 in Dennison, TX, and was the 34th President of the United States. "Ike" was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and rose to the rank of 5-Star General. He was Supreme Allied Commander during WW II, and orchestrated Operation Overlord (D-Day). His favorite pastime was playing golf, and he had a long history with Augusta National golf course, home of the Masters. Learn more on this episode of #HappyBirthdayMrPresident...

Episode 39 - Chester A. Arthur

October 05, 2020 00:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MB

Chester A. Arthur was born on October 5, 1829 in Fairfield, VT, and he was the 21st President of the United States. Not elected as President, Chester Arthur assumed the presidency upon the death of James A. Garfield. He said, "God knows I do not want the place I was never elected to." On this episode of #HappyBirthdayMrPresident, learn more about the "GQ" President, the dapper dresser who was known to change clothes multiple times each day. And is it true that his wife Nell was a pro...

Episode 38 - Rutherford B. Hayes

October 04, 2020 00:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MB

Rutherford B. Hayes was born on October 4, 1822 in Delaware, OH, and he was the 19th President of the United States. He was elected in the tumultuous Election of 1876, losing the popular vote & eventually being elected by a committee! He helped support the founding of Ohio State University, and quite possibly was the first POTUS to swim in the Pacific Ocean. Learn more about the president whose wife was the first "First Lady." #HappyBirthdayMrPresident

Episode 37 - Jimmy Carter

October 01, 2020 00:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MB

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter was born on October 1, 1924 in Plains, GA, and he was the 39th President of the United States. Carter was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and served on a nuclear submarine in the early 1950s. He returned to Plains, GA after his father died to run the family peanut farm. He was elected in 1976 defeating incumbent Gerald Ford, and served one term, losing to Ronald Reagan in the Election of 1980. Jimmy Carter & his wife Rosalyn live in Plains, GA, and are...

Episode 36 - William Howard Taft

September 15, 2020 00:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MB

William Howard Taft was born on September 15, 1857 in Cincinnati, OH, and he was the 27th President of the United States. He was by far the largest POTUS weighing in at 350 lbs! He loved baseball, swimming, and was an excellent student both in high school and later at Yale University. His ultimate goal was not to be president, but to be on the U.S. Supreme Court, a dream he later realized. Is it true he was a good dancer who loved the salsa & tango?! Learn more on this episode of #Ha...

Episode 35 - Lyndon B. Johnson

August 27, 2020 00:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MB

Lyndon Baines Johnson was born on August 27, 1908 in Stonewall, TX, and he was the 36th President of the United States. This long, tall Texan who stood 6'3" started his career as a school teacher before moving into politics. He entered office upon the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, and won the Election of 1964. His administration served during the tumultuous 1960s, the escalation of the Vietnam War, the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. an...

Episode 34 - Benjamin Harrison

August 20, 2020 00:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MB

Benjamin Harrison was born on August 20, 1833 in North Bend, OH, and he was the 23rd President of the United States. The grandson of President William Henry Harrison, Benjamin was fiercely patriotic, the only POTUS from the state of Indiana, loyal to Civil War vets, & "sandwiched" between Grover Cleveland's 2 terms. Is there a connection between Benjamin Harrison & baseball & Chick-fil-A?! Learn more on this podcast episode of #HappyBirthdayMrPresident!

Episode 33 - Bill Clinton

August 19, 2020 00:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MB

William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton was born on August 19, 1946 in Hope, AR, and he was the 42nd President of the United States. Born Willam J. Blythe III, his biological father died in a car accident 3 months before he was born. He took his stepfather Roger Clinton's last name when he was 16 years old. In this episode learn more about the Rhodes Scholar, former Governor of Arkansas, and saxophone playing POTUS. And is it true that he was a left-handed point guard on his high school bas...

Episode 32 - Herbert Hoover

August 10, 2020 00:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MB

Herbert Hoover was born on August 10, 1874 in West Branch, IA, and he was the 31st President of the United States. Both of his parents died by the time he was 9 years old, and he grew up with his uncle in Oregon. He was in the first freshman class at Stanford University, and he is the only POTUS who is an engineer by education. He became wealthy in the mining industry, and he never ran for elected office until he ran for POTUS in 1928. Listen in to learn about the man who inspired th...

Episode 31 - Barack Obama

August 04, 2020 00:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MB

Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, HI and he was the 44th President of the United States. His biological father was from Kenya, and his step-father was from Indonesia where young Barack lived for a time before returning to Hawaii to live with his grandparents. He went from Illinois State Senator to POTUS in a matter of 11 years. He's a 2-time Grammy winner, and is it true he can write with his LEFT hand and dribble a basketball with his RIGHT hand?! Enjoy this episo...

Episode 30 - Gerald R. Ford

July 14, 2020 00:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MB

Gerald R. Ford was born on July 14, 1913 in Omaha, NE, and he was the 38th President of the United States. Born "Leslie King Jr," his mother remarried and "Junie" was adopted by his step father and he took the name Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr when he was 21 years old. Ford was a standout football player at the University of Michigan, and he even worked as a male model before enlisting in the US Navy during WW II. Learn more about the POTUS who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers & Detroi...

Episode 29 - John Quincy Adams

July 11, 2020 00:00 - 2 minutes - 16.9 MB

John Quincy Adams was born on July 11, 1767 in Braintree, MA, and he was the 6th President of the United States. John Q. and his dad John were the 1st father-son team to serve in the presidency. He defeated Andrew Jackson in the Election of 1824, an election that was decided by a vote in the House of Representatives. An avid walker & swimmer, he was also an owner of exotic pets. Learn more about the only POTUS to be elected to Congress after his term in office.

Episode 28 - George W. Bush

July 06, 2020 00:00 - 16 minutes - 11.7 MB

George W. Bush was born on July 6, 1946 in New Haven, CT, and he was the 43rd President of the United States. He and his father George H.W. Bush are only the 2nd father-son team to serve in the presidency. "Dubya" was Governor of Texas, a successful oil man, and was part owner of major league baseball's Texas Rangers. Did he really require people to wear cowboy boots in the Oval Office?! And was he really a cheerleader in college?! Listen in to find out! #HappyBirthdayMrPresident

Episode 27 - Calvin Coolidge

July 04, 2020 00:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MB

Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872 in Plymouth Notch, VT, and he was the 30th President of the United States. A man of few words, "Silent Cal" was an accidental president, becoming POTUS upon the death of Warren G. Harding. He invited members of Congress to have breakfast with him at the White House, serving them pancakes with Vermont maple syrup. Then he would give them the silent treatment! "Keep Cool with Coolidge" on this episode of #HappyBirthdayMrPresident!

Episode 26 - Donald Trump

June 14, 2020 00:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MB

Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946 in New York, NY, and he is the 45th President of the United States. He was the oldest POTUS at inauguration at age 70. Because President Trump has not completed a term, we depart from our normal podcast format and are doing a "Best of #HappyBirthdayMrPresident" episode. Recorded before a LIVE! studio audience, my co-host Karissa Slate and I share each of our 4 favorite episodes. And we play an exciting game of "Bled or Not Bled!" Enjoy the podca...

Episode 25 - George H.W. Bush

June 12, 2020 00:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MB

George Herbert Walker Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, MA and he was the 41st President of the United States. He was a WW II hero, the youngest Navy pilot who flew 58 combat missions. He survived being shot down, and was rescued by a submarine--was it a yellow submarine?! He was one of only two father/son presidential duos, with his son George W. Learn more about this baseball playing, broccoli hating, kinder, gentler president on this episode of #HappyBirthdayMrPresident! ...

Episode 24 - John F. Kennedy

May 29, 2020 00:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MB

John F. Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, MA, and he was the 35th President of the United States. Elected to Congress at the age of 29, and to the U.S. Senate at age 35, "Handsome Jack" Kennedy was the youngest elected president in history at the age of 43. Tragically, his life & presidency was cut short on November 22, 1963 when he was assassinated in Dallas, TX, being the last victim of the so-called "Curse of Tecumseh." Known to have dated a "bevy of beauties" during ...

Episode 23 - Harry S Truman

May 08, 2020 00:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MB

"Give 'em hell, Harry!" S Truman was born on May 8, 1884 in Lamar, Missouri. He was the 33rd President of the United States, and was one of our country's "accidental" presidents, taking office upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt after being Vice President for only 82 days. He was quick witted and hot tempered, but had a strong work ethic and came from a humble background which earned him much admiration and respect. He was known as a dapper dresser, and is it true he once joined ...

Episode 22 - James Monroe

April 28, 2020 00:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MB

James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758 in Westmoreland County, VA, and he was the 5th POTUS. He attended the College of William & Mary, but dropped out and raided the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg, stealing all of the guns & swords and giving them to the local militia at the outbreak of the American Revolution. And who was the real author of the Monroe Doctrine? Join me & my co-host Karissa Slate to learn more about the 3rd POTUS to die on the 4th of July!

Episode 21 - Ulysses S. Grant

April 27, 2020 00:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MB

Ulysses S. Grant was born on April 27, 1822 in Point Pleasant, OH, and he was the 18th POTUS. This cigar smoking, whiskey drinking, Civil War hero won re-election after his opponent died prior to the electoral college vote. And is it true that he once received a ticket for speeding?! Listen in as we discuss the POTUS who got his name changed due to a clerical error.

Episode 20 - James Buchanan

April 23, 2020 00:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MB

James Buchanan was born on April 23, 1791 in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, and he was the 15th President of the United States. Congressman Henry Clay from Kentucky made fun on Buchanan because his eyes were crossed, and because he was a single man! Buchanan did have a fiance at one time, but did she commit suicide after breaking off the engagement?! Listen in as we discuss the president who was the warm-up act for Abraham Lincoln, and who was VERY happy to leave the White House!

Episode 19 - Thomas Jefferson

April 13, 2020 00:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MB

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 at Shadwell, in Virginia, and he was the 3rd President of the United States. One of our nation's founding fathers, Jefferson was most proud of his accomplishments as, "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, Father of the University of Virginia." He loved architecture, was an inventor, and who exactly was Sally Hemings?! Listen in to learn more about this 6'2" redhead POTUS!

Episode 18 - John Tyler

March 29, 2020 00:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MB

John Tyler was born on March 29, 1790 in Charles City County, Virginia, and he was the 10th President of the United States. He was the first "accidental" president, taking office upon the death of President William Henry Harrison. Altogether, Tyler was the father of 15 children; more than any other POTUS. And can you believe he still has 2 living grandchildren?! Listen in to learn how he wooed and saved his 2nd wife Julia... President Tyler to the rescue!

Episode 17 - Grover Cleveland

March 18, 2020 00:00 - 13 minutes - 9.17 MB

Grover Cleveland was born on March 18, 1837 in Caldwell, NJ, and he was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States--the only POTUS to serve two non-consecutive terms. He was also the only POTUS to be married and have a child born at the White House. There was some controversy swirling about the former Erie County Sheriff... carrying out executions?! Marrying a child bride?! Join us on this episode to hear more about the president whose 1st name is really Stephen!

Episode 16 - James Madison

March 16, 2020 00:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MB

James Madison was born on March 16, 1751 in Port Conway, VA, and he was the 4th President of the United States. Standing only 5 feet 4 inches tall, and weighing no more than 100 pounds, "Jemmy" Madison was a giant among America's forefathers. He was best friends with Thomas Jefferson, was known at the Father of the Constitution, and he was introduced to his wife Dolley by Aaron Burr. Join us on this episode with special guest Shelby Myers as we learn more about the shortest POTUS! ...

Episode 15 - Andrew Jackson

March 15, 2020 00:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MB

Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767 in the Waxhaw region between North and South Carolina, and he was the 7th President of the United States. He was a soldier during the American Revolution at the age of 13, and was captured by the British thus becoming the only former prisoner of war ever to become president. He was known as the "people's president," had a rough and argumentative style, and liked to solve conflicts through physical violence and duels. The media is to blame for...

Episode 14 - George Washington

February 22, 2020 00:00 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MB

Today is George Washington’s 288th birthday, born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Join us as we explore the life of the General of the Continental Army, the pride of Mount Vernon, and the 1st President of the United States. He is the president whose face graces our currency, whose namesake inspired a U.S. state and our nation’s Capitol, and whose legacy is enshrined in our country’s memory forever.

Episode 13 - Abraham Lincoln

February 12, 2020 00:00 - 24 minutes - 12.9 MB

"Honest" Abe Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in a log cabin in Hodgenville, KY. The Great Emancipator, born of humble beginnings, no formal education, a self-taught lawyer, he led the United States through a great Civil War and held the Union together. We're joined by Creative Director Shelby Myers and Senior Writer Evan Myers on this episode as we celebrate his 211th birthday... and how about that award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1992?!

Episode 12 - William Henry Harrison

February 09, 2020 00:00 - 3 minutes - 10.6 MB

William Henry Harrison was born on February 9, 1773 at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County, VA, and he was the 9th President of the United States. On his inauguration day on March 4, 1841 it was a cold day with freezing rain, and he decided not to wear an overcoat or hat. He spoke for almost 2 hours, caught pneumonia, and died 31 days later! His was the shortest term of any POTUS... and what's this about the Curse of Tecumseh?!

Episode 11 - Ronald Reagan

February 06, 2020 00:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MB

Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico, IL, and he was the 40th President of the United States. He was a lifeguard, an athlete, and actor. He led the United States with an eternal optimism during the 1980s and almost single-handedly defeated the Soviet Union during the Cold War. And what about all those jelly beans?!

Episode 10 - Franklin D. Roosevelt

January 30, 2020 12:04 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MB

Franklin D. Roosevelt was born on January 30, 1882 in Hyde Park, NY, and he was the 32nd President of the United States. When he was 5 years old he met President Grover Cleveland who said to him, "...I wish that you may never be President of the United States." How ironic because FDR became the longest serving POTUS, serving 12 years over 4 terms. He was an only child from a wealthy family, a graduate of Harvard University, and led the United States during WW II. Get some dimes and l...

Episode 9 - William McKinley

January 29, 2020 00:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MB

William McKinley was born on January 29, 1843 and he was the 25th President of the United States. He was one of the sweetest president's we've ever had, doting on his precious wife Ida until his very last day. Sadly, William McKinley's life was cut short by an assassin's bullet and he became the 3rd POTUS to be assassinated. Learn more about the sweet man who always wore a red carnation in the button hole of his jacket.

Episode 8 - Richard M. Nixon

January 09, 2020 13:07 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MB

Richard Milhous Nixon was born on January 9, 1913 in Yorba Linda, CA, and he was the 37th President of the United States. In addition to being one of our country’s more controversial figures during his time in the White House, “Tricky Dick” Nixon was also an accomplished musician and top-notch bowler! Who knew the POTUS who said, “I am not a crook!” had such hidden talents?!

Episode 7 - Millard Fillmore

January 07, 2020 00:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MB

Millard Fillmore was born on January 7, 1800 in Cayuga County, New York and he was the 13th President of the United States. He was the 2nd "accidental" president taking office in 1850 after President Zachary Taylor died from eating too many rotten cherries and drinking spoiled milk. But did Millard really want to be an orthodontist? Or an astronaut?! Find out more on this episode!

Episode 6 - Andrew Johnson

December 29, 2019 00:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MB

Andrew Johnson was born on December 29, 1808 in Raleigh, NC. He was poor, uneducated, and indentured to a tailor who he ran away from when he was 15 years old. He was a southern Democrat who was loyal to the Union, a contrast to President Abraham Lincoln. Forty-two days after his inauguration, “Andy” Johnson became the 17th POTUS when President Lincoln was assassinated. Andrew Johnson was the 1st president to be impeached, and the last president to own slaves. But was he really an in...

Episode 5 - Woodrow Wilson

December 28, 2019 00:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MB

Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born on December 28, 1856 and was the 28th President of the United States. He was dyslexic when he was young, and he was a momma's boy... But he eventually became a great orator and author, college professor, President of Princeton University, and Governor of New Jersey. Was he really, in secret, a college football coach?! Listen in as we celebrate his 163rd birthday!

Episode 4 - Martin Van Buren

December 05, 2019 00:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MB

Martin Van Buren was born on December 5, 1782 in Columbia, New York. Davy Crockett called him a "dandy" because of his fancy clothes and the way he strutted around at parties... Was Martin Van Buren really left handed? And did he really involve the United States in a war with Canada? Listen in to learn more about the 8th President of the United States as we celebrate his 237th birthday!

Episode 3 - Zachary Taylor

November 24, 2019 00:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MB

"Old Rough & Ready" Zachary Taylor was born on November 24, 1784 in Orange County, Virginia, and he was the 12th President of the United States. He was a career soldier who had absolutely no political experience whatsoever, yet he was still elected primarily because of his status as a war hero. And apparently he really liked cherries... and he at A LOT of cherries!

Episode 2 - Franklin Pierce

November 23, 2019 00:00 - 19 minutes - 14.1 MB

"Pretty boy" Franklin Pierce was born on November 23, 1804 in Hillsborough, NH and was the 14th President of the United States. A pro-slavery northern Democrat from New Hampshire who liked to hit the bottle, he and his wife Jane suffered the tragic loss of their 3 boys. He entered the White House in 1853, and holds one distinction from all other elected presidents... was he really the 1st POTUS to do a keg stand in the Oval Office?!

Episode 1 - James A. Garfield

November 16, 2019 00:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MB

James A. Garfield was born on November 19, 1831 and he was the 20th President of the United States. Tragically he only served for 200 days after being fatally wounded by an assassin's bullet. In this episode we explore his early life and ascendency to being POTUS.