Everything you didn't know about the so-called leaders of the free world, from their favorite foods to their pets' names.

U.S. Presidents

History

The death of a president is always a big deal, whether it is unexpected - such as John F. Kennedy&#39;s assassination - or predictable, like Ronald Reagan&#39;s death after suffering from Alzheimer&#39;s disease for ten years. While former presidents always get the full memorial Monty, the death of a sitting president can cause political upheaval as the successor takes the reigns. But just how many US presidents have died? Sure, you probably have a rough idea, but do you know the circumstances of their deaths and the legacy they left behind?&nbsp;

Looking to the past is crucial to understanding the present. And knowing how all the US presidents died - especially the ones that died in office - can shed some light on our current political situation. In total, 39 US presidents have passed on. Keep reading to learn about all the US president deaths that have happened since the inception of our country.

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How All The Departed US Presidents Have Died

US President

How All the Departed US Presidents Have Died

Mel Judson

Though the U.S. is not even 250 years old, history textbooks already must omit a great deal. Here are in-depth looks at a few of the most fascinating and less flattering events and scenes that took place on American soil.

America's Forgotten History

From the early inhabitants of the original 13 colonies, to the pioneers who moved West and South as America expanded, there was one common problem when it came to establishing new settlements: What would they name their city?Some US cities and towns were named after a founder, a nearby geological feature, or a place the settlers had come from, but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-american-small-towns/noah-henry">others</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-american-town-names/laura-allan">had very unusual names.</a>And the city or town could end up being renamed, sometimes multiple times. Here are the stories about how some US cities got their original monikers, and the reason(s) why the name ended up being changed.

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US Cities That Changed Their Names, And The Surprising Reasons Why

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US Cities That Changed Their Names

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Historical Facts

People have inhabited the Americas for thousands of years. Native American history&nbsp;is just as complex, fascinating, and surprising as any other story about the past, even if it isn&#39;t as widely known.

Indigenous folks across North and South America have made their mark on the world in a variety of ways, ranging from <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-why-did-the-mayans-build-pyramids/bailey-benningfield" target="_blank">Mayan pyramids</a> to advanced surgical techniques and popular sports that have stood the test of time. Indeed, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/early-1900s-native-american-photos/chwang?ref=collections_page" target="_blank">Native American communities</a> stretch over two continents, and no two are the same. They all have their own culture, traditions, and accomplishments that are worth remembering.

Though Native American tribes and communities are unique in their own way, they also have one important thing in common: Their histories have been shaped by colonialism, as European empires, the United States of America, and other new nation-states violently encroached on their land and disrupted their communities. Indigenous communities haven&#39;t only been targeted by colonialism; they&#39;ve also shaped the histories of empires.

Native American history is more than a story of tragedy, however - it&#39;s also a story of ingenuity, innovation, and compassion. So read on and vote up the facts about Native American history that are new to you.

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15 Facts We Just Learned About Native American History

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15 Facts About Native American History We Just Learned

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Lists about the indigenous people and cultures native to modern day Canada and the United States. 

Native America

In 1856, a 19-year-old girl named Olive Oatman caused a big stir in Arizona. The daughter of white settlers who were&nbsp;murdered on their way to California, she emerged from years of being a captive of the Mohave tribe with a striking and distinctive blue tattoo on her chin. So who was Olive Oatman, and how did she come to live with the Mohave? Her story is one of extreme tragedy that also captures&nbsp;the incredible strength of the human spirit.

The American public was fascinated by Olivia Oatman, and the stories of&nbsp;her time as a captive continue to spark interest to this day.&nbsp;Her journey from&nbsp;desert pioneer to <a href="https://historydaily.org/olive-oatman-the-girl-with-the-blue-tattoo" target="_blank">orphaned Native American captive</a> left lasting marks on her that went much deeper than a tattoo; it was said that she carried around a Mohave staple, a jar of hazelnuts, for the rest of her life to remind her of her experiences.

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The Fascinating Story Behind The Girl With The Mohave Tattoo

The True Story of Olive Oatman, The Pioneer Girl With The Face Tattoo

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Lists about real life on the wild American frontier and fictionalized versions of the Old West.

Wild, Wild West

Weird History

The image of <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/wild-west-saloons/melissa-sartore?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">wild west saloon</a> girls evokes a sense of mystery and allure, penned into history as part of the vibrant tapestry of frontier life. These women played an essential role in the culture of the Old West, and their stories reveal more than just the glamour and grit found in Hollywood depictions. Living in a time of rugged independence, saloon girls were a staple of the bustling establishments scattered across the frontier.Beyond simply serving drinks to weary cowboys and miners, these women had skills that went well beyond bartending. Many were entertainers, captivating patrons with song and dance in the rowdy saloon atmosphere. Yet, their roles extended further, with some engaging in prostitution, a harsh reality often dictated by the limited opportunities available to women of that era. Their lives were challenging, dealing with the precariousness of a lifestyle that could transition from celebration to conflict in an instant.To gain a deeper understanding of the true grit and complexity of these women, check out what life was like as a saloon girl in the wild west. This exploration offers insights into their daily experiences, revealing the blend of resilience, talent, and survival that defined their lives on the frontier.

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Life As A Wild West Saloon Girl: Dancing, Prostitution, And Danger

Wild West Saloon Girls: Dancing, Prostitution, And Danger

Melissa Brinks

Fun facts and interesting trivia to know about religious beliefs and practices around the world.

Cultural  Differences

Are you already an expert in everything America? Great! No need to read about these fascinating facts and important events that have shaped the U.S. as we know it today.

US History You Should Know

It’s easy to assume that whatever customs, systems, processes, and general facts of life you’re accustomed to are the “norm.” However, as soon as you venture out of your home country or region, it becomes extremely apparent that not everything you do or have at home is the norm elsewhere. For Americans, this means coming&nbsp;across <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/why-dont-americans-use-bidets/genevieve-carlton">a bidet</a> on a French vacation, or having a tip refused at a restaurant, or being forced to make sense of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/why-dont-americans-use-metric-system/melissa-sartore">the metric system</a> can come as a shock to the system.The truth is, the US does many things differently from the rest of the world. From minor differences like&nbsp;an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/why-american-flags-everywhere-in-united-states/megan-summers">obsession with the American flag,</a> to major ones with political or economic implications, like the use of a sales tax instead of value-added tax, or the refusal to recognize the International Criminal Court’s authority, the US is unique in a number of ways. Below you’ll find many things Americans do differently from the rest of the world - and why.

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All The Things The US Does Differently From The Rest Of The World

Why America Does Things Differently Than Other Countries

Garri Chaverst

US History

There are<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/origins-of-easter/emily-mast"> holidays for just about everything</a> nowadays, from National Hot Dog Day to Super Mario Day. However, there are only 11 federally-recognized holidays in the United States (plus one more in a year with a presidential election).&nbsp;The oldest holidays on this list were ratified more than 150 years ago, while the newest is just a few years old. While you're likely familiar with most of the holidays on this list, do you know where they came from? How they came to be?&nbsp;While some holidays represent celebrations of people or events, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/christian-holidays-with-pagan-origins/ryan-sargent">others were born</a> out of darker origins. Who knew that Labor Day came to be after dozens of deaths from strikes and riots? And while some of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/history-of-valentines-day/tracey-graham">America's holidays</a> can be controversial, some groups are working to change how we view and think about these days rooted in centuries of tradition.&nbsp;

How Holidays In The United States Actually Came To Be

The Real History Of Holidays In The U.S.

Emily Pogue

Fort Knox US Bullion Depository Kentucky

Located in Kentucky, Fort Knox is a United States Army base which&nbsp;houses most of the US&#39;s gold reserves. One of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-break-ins/megan-summers" target="_blank">most&nbsp;secure</a> and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/inaccessible-places/kellen-perry" target="_blank">inaccessible places</a> in the world, the facility once held the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.&nbsp;

Only one president has ever been inside -&nbsp;and the US Mint remains largely mum on the contents of the vault -&nbsp;making Fort Knox a hotbed for conspiracy theories. Many&nbsp;question the amount of gold that supposedly exists in the vault,&nbsp;and wonder what else hides within the building&#39;s&nbsp;walls. So, what&#39;s really inside Fort Knox? The public may never know.

Fort Knox Is So Mysterious And Heavily Guarded, Only One US President Has Ever Been Inside

Fort Knox Is More Mysterious Than You Think

Only One President Has Ever Been Inside Fort Knox... Why Is It The Most Mysterious, Heavily Guarded Place In America?

Melissa Sartore

Lists about the history and quirks of America's highest office.

The American Presidency

Explainer

The health of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-u-s-presidents-from-best-to-worst">US Presidents</a> is a well-kept secret, especially while they&rsquo;re in office.&nbsp;The public is on a need-to-know basis, and, generally speaking, the government doesn&#39;t&nbsp;think the public needs to know at all &ndash; especially when it comes to presidents&#39; illnesses.&nbsp;From George Washington to Teddy Roosevelt to Barack Obama, presidents have suffered from various ailments before, during, and after holding their positions. Considering how unwell some of these guys were, it&#39;s amazing they accomplished anything at all during their <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/us-president-first-100-days/stephanroget" target="_blank">first 100 days in office</a>.

Some presidents were pretty healthy from a young age;&nbsp;others were sickly during their whole lives, and others were plagued with maladies on and off &ndash;&nbsp;no actual instances of plague, though, luckily. However, some of these presidential ailments might just surprise you.

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Every U.S. President &amp; Every Medical Problem They've Ever Had

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All The Medical Ailments Of Every US President

Lists about some of the most extraordinary women who made history, forever changing the world and how we see it.

Well-Behaved Women

Lists about the first ladies who have reached America's highest status (for women) — being married to the President — from Martha Washington to Hillary Clinton to Melania Trump. 

FLOTUS: America's Mom

Who are those people who lived in the White House, making appearances and speeches and promises and mistakes? To understand them, you must get to know the spouses, children, and even siblings of U.S. Presidents, past and present. 

The First Family

Julia Gardiner Tyler

Before the revolutionary Eleanor Roosevelt or the glamorous Jackie O, there was Julia Gardiner Tyler, the second wife of President John Tyler. Despite the fact she became First Lady in the 1800s -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/different-waves-of-feminism-and-what-they-mean/rylee_en">a stifling and oppressive era for women</a> - Julia Gardiner Tyler was bold, brazen, and fabulous. The wild side of Tyler's young bride was much gossiped about, but rather than letting the headlines dictate her life, Tyler dictated the headlines. She branded herself into the first celebrity First Lady through her opulent and dramatic lifestyle. She was the opposite of modesty in a time where women were meant to be modest to the core.&nbsp;Wild stories about Julia Gardiner Tyler make her one of the most scandalous first ladies in history. She was a strong, independent woman who did what she wanted when she wanted. These facts about Julia Gardiner Tyler and her unconventional life might make her story even more interesting that that of her husband.&nbsp;

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16 Facts About Julia Tyler, The Most Controversial First Lady of the 1800s

16 Facts About Julia Gardiner Tyler, A Scandalous First Lady

Elle Tharp

If you grew up in the United States, you probably learned the United States Customary System (USCS) for weights and measures. USCS terms like inches, feet, pounds, and miles are derived from the British Imperial System, steeped in a long history of application and use. Any introduction to the metric system may have muddied the measurement waters, adding unfamiliar words and awkward conversions to your school day.

While Americans continue to use the USCS, most of the world has shifted to the metric system. The metric system, or International System of Units (SI), was introduced in France <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/rise-and-fall-of-the-lavoisiers/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">during the late 18th century</a> and includes seven foundational units of measurement, the most common of which include meters and kilograms. SI has, according to its proponents, more utility and universality than other systems, making it the preferred system for weights and measures across the globe.

If this is true, why does the United States&nbsp;remain&nbsp;one of the few countries not to use the metric system as its primary system of measurement?&nbsp;The reasons Americans don&#39;t use the metric system are complicated, combining political and economic considerations with nationalist pride, but if you look closely, you can see the influence of SI in the United States. Whether or not this will eventually come full-scale remains to be seen, but here&#39;s what has shaped the use of the metric system in the United States so far.

The Actual Reasons Everywhere Except The US Has Adopted The Metric System

Why Don't Americans Use the Metric System?

The Actual Reasons Why The US Hasn't Adopted The Metric System

These United States came <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-revolutionary-facts/melissa-sartore">from humble beginnings in 1776</a>, where founding fathers in funny wigs signed a document forming the country. Since then, America has had many highs and many lows, from incredible, groundbreaking moments like the moon landing and women's suffrage, to the bitter and violent battles waged over race and systemic oppression. Considering it all, the good and the bad, when was the nation actually at its best?We've provided each decade's peak achievements, major moments, and presidents. How you define the best is up to you. It could be a time with a cultural spirit you connect with, or one with new technologies you found the most beneficial.&nbsp;As you vote, remember this: Each decade had its good and bad, triumphs as well as tragedies. A vote up certainly does not condone the “bad” that happened in that decade, just as a vote down does not ignore the good.

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What Decade Did America Peak?

There are numerous holidays in the United States celebrated annually. Holidays that are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/obscure-local-holidays-united-states/melissa-sartore">local and obscure</a> may receive little to no attention outside of a small group. National and federal holidays can lead to a day off of work or some other much-anticipated acknowledgment but are usually days with no mail and the closure of business and government offices across the country.Knowing when holidays are celebrated is engrained in the American psyche. The reasons specific <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/holiday-dates/brenden-donnelly">holiday dates are chosen</a> are important and often unrealized, as are the actual meanings behind the biggest American holidays.Why do Americans celebrate Memorial Day and Veterans Day? What's the difference? And what's the significance of Juneteenth? How does a country with a divide between church and state afford holiday status to Christmas?&nbsp;These are all questions that deserve to be answered.

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Holiday Meanings: What The Biggest American Holidays Actually Mean

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Boomers: Can't Live With 'Em

The term “greatest generation” is one that likely originated <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/b/brokaw-generation.html?_r=1&amp;ref=gentlereformation.com">from the 1998 book</a> The Greatest Generation by journalist Tom Brokaw. As a moniker attached to the individuals who endured the Great Depression and fought in World War II, the Greatest Generation encompasses, according to Brokaw, “Millions of men and women involved in [the] tumultuous journey through adversity and achievement, despair and triumph.” Brokaw frames this around President Franklin Roosevelt's call for men and women to rise to their “rendezvous with destiny."Defining exactly what makes a generation is no easier than trying to put specific years on a historical era or attempting to lump <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-annoying-millennial-stereotypes/hugh-landman">an entire population into a single category</a>. That said, there are common factors that influence how swaths of people live, work, and relate to one another that can be loosely attached to an entire group. Whether it's Baby Boomers, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/millennials-most-screwed-generation/veronica-walsingham">Millennials</a>, or Generation Alpha, there are clear commonalities.&nbsp;With this in mind, it's possible to wonder what really is the “greatest generation.” Is it the men and women who answered the call during the 1930s and 1940s? Or perhaps its the throngs of people who rallied and protested during the Civil Rights Movement and helped bring about widespread change. It may even be the folks who contributed to the lives of others worldwide, albeit without much notice or recognition at the time.&nbsp;

What’s Truly The Greatest Generation Of All Time?

Ranked: What’s Truly The Greatest Generation Of All Time?

Presidential “lasts” are a surprising look at the lives of US presidents and the time during which they served. From significant presidential milestones to personal triumphs and trials, here are some unexpected presidential lasts.&nbsp;Presidents are known for being the “first” at something. The first President of the United States to have a beard was Abraham Lincoln, the first Commander-in-Chief to be impeached was Andrew Johnson, and the first US president to be seen on television was Franklin D. Roosevelt - you get the idea. But rarely do people make note of the last time a president did something.&nbsp;

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15 Surprising 'Lasts' For US Presidents

The Last Times Us Presidents Did 15 Things

Fifteen vice presidents of the United States eventually became president. Nine ascended to the presidency due to the death of the president, either by assassination or illness. Six others were elected president after finishing their terms. In these 15&nbsp;commanders in chief, you&#39;ll find some of the most heralded names in American history, including several Founding Fathers. You&#39;ll also find several presidents whose terms were distinguished only by how undistinguished they were. Many had replaced presidents who, likewise, accomplished almost nothing in their short terms in office.

One fascinating element of the list of vice presidents who became president is that most of them, themselves, didn&#39;t have vice presidents. As it was written, the Constitution didn&#39;t allow for vice presidents to be selected during a presidential term. So the eight vice presidents who became president before the passage of the 25th Amendment in 1967 had no vice president. Fortunately, none of these presidents died in office - which would have likely led to an unprecedented constitutional crisis.

Here are the 15 vice presidents who later became president of the United States, with information on how they moved into the POTUS position and other biographical details.

Vice Presidents Who Became President

Presidents That Were Vice Presidents | List of Vice Presidents That Became Presidents

Mike Rothschild

US History lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of US History lists and rankings