1

George Washington - The whiskey-making Founding Father

Image: Daniel Vogel

After leading the nation, George Washington stepped into the world of spirits, whiskey spirits, that is! In 1797, his farm manager convinced him to open a distillery at Mount Vernon . Within two years, it became one of the largest in the country, producing nearly 11,000 gallons of whiskey annually.

Here’s a fun fact: Washington didn’t need a marketing team. His whiskey was sold in unmarked barrels to local merchants, and his operation was so successful that it became one of the top money-makers in the area. The best part? You can try it today at the reconstructed distillery!

2

Theodore Roosevelt - Adventurer-in-Chief

Image: Zetong Li

Not one to sit still, Theodore Roosevelt went on an exploration of the Amazon rainforest after leaving office. In 1913, he embarked on a seven-month journey to map an uncharted river . Guess what it’s called today? The Roosevelt River, of course!

The expedition was grueling: he caught malaria, suffered a leg injury, and nearly died. Though he made it back home, his health never fully recovered. Roosevelt’s post-presidency was all about adventure and risks!

3

Thomas Jefferson - The University Founder

Image: Ryan Ledbetter

Thomas Jefferson didn’t just help write the Declaration of Independence; he also founded the University of Virginia . A firm believer in education, he wanted to create a university that emphasized academic freedom and rigorous learning. So, in 1819, ten years after leaving office, he established the University of Virginia, which opened in 1825.

Jefferson personally designed the campus, including its iconic Rotunda, and hand-picked the first professors. He once called the university one of his greatest accomplishments, right up there with drafting the Declaration of Independence.

4

John Quincy Adams - From President to Congressman

Image: Ian Hutchinson

John Quincy Adams didn’t believe in retirement, you know? He didn’t go back for a second term, but instead of stepping away from public service, he returned to Congress, serving in the House of Representatives for nine terms until his death in 1848.

His dedication earned him the nickname "Father of the House." Even in his final moments, he was working: he collapsed on the House floor after casting a vote and died two days later. Well, once a public servant, always a public servant.

5

William Howard Taft - From President to Supreme Court Justice

Image: Adam Michael Szuscik

Most former presidents take a step back from government, but William Howard Taft went in the opposite direction. After serving as the 27th president, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1921.

He later admitted that being on the Supreme Court was his true calling, famously stating, "I don’t remember that I ever was president." Taft remains the only person in history to have served in both roles! Talk about an upgrade!

6

Calvin Coolidge - Presidential columnist

Image: AbsolutVision

Some former presidents write memoirs, but Calvin Coolidge took it a step further. From 1930 to 1931, he wrote a nationally syndicated newspaper column titled Thinking Things Over with Calvin Coolidge .

His articles covered a range of topics, from politics to everyday life. As it turns out, running a country gives you plenty to write about!

7

Jimmy Carter - The humanitarian president

Image: Library of Congress

If there’s one president who redefined life after the White House, that is Jimmy Carter. In 1982, he founded the Carter Center , a nonprofit organization focused on democracy, health, and human rights.

He has also spent decades working with Habitat for Humanity, personally helping to build homes for those in need. In 2002, Carter’s humanitarian work earned him the Nobel Peace Prize, making him the only former president to receive the honor for efforts made after leaving office. He once said his post-presidency was "more gratifying" than his time in politics. Only logical, right?

8

Ronald Reagan - A Knight of the Realm

Image: Annie Spratt

Yes, that’s a literal title. Ronald Reagan didn’t take up a new career after leaving office, but he did receive an unexpected knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. In 1989, just months after stepping down as president, he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath.

While it’s a prestigious honor, American citizens aren’t allowed to use the title "Sir," so there was no "Sir Ronald" in the works. Reagan wasn’t the only president to receive this honor; Dwight Eisenhower and George H.W. Bush were also knighted.

9

Bill Clinton - Grammy-winning storyteller

Image: Annie Spratt

Bill Clinton has always been a gifted speaker, so it’s no surprise that he won not one, but two Grammy Awards, though they weren’t for playing his famous saxophone. He won Best Spoken Word Album in 2004 and 2005, narrating both a children’s book and his autobiography.

Clinton joins a small but prestigious club of American presidents who have won Grammys, including Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter. His ability to captivate audiences didn’t end with politics; he simply found a new stage.

10

George W. Bush - From the White House to the Art Studio

Image: Yannis Papanastasopoulos

After serving two terms as president, George W. Bush discovered a surprising new passion: painting. How about that? In 2012, he began taking art lessons , and by 2013, his paintings were revealed to the public following an email hack.

Bush embraced his new hobby and has since published several collections, including Portraits of Courage , which features paintings of US military veterans. His artwork has been exhibited in galleries, proving that a president can become an artist, too. While politics was his career, painting has become his personal form of expression.

1

First president to live in the White House

Image: Raymond M.E. Aguirre

In 1790, President George Washington signed an act of Congress declaring that the government would reside in a district "not exceeding ten miles square […] on the river Potomac." Today, we all know what stands at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, DC. That's right! We're talking about the White House, an enduring symbol of the US presidency.

But it hasn't always been that way. The construction of the White House began in 1792 and only had its first resident 8 years later. He was President John Adams, who moved into the Executive Mansion with his wife Abigail in 1800.

2

First president with telephone in Office

Image: Carlos Eduardo

Nowadays, many of us can’t imagine getting anywhere without our cell phones. But in the 19th century, things were entirely different.

The landline telephone arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in the late 1870s, during the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, shortly after Alexander Graham Bell had unveiled the communication device. It's said that President Hayes was interested in the technology and recognized its potential.

However, because the invention was so new, calls from the White House were rare. The first president to use the telephone frequently and regularly is considered to be William McKinley, who took office in 1897.

3

First president to serve two non-consecutive terms

Image: Josh Carter

Several men have had the honor of serving as president of the United States on more than one occasion, starting with none other than George Washington. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and others have served two consecutive terms.

But there was someone who, for the first time, served two non-consecutive terms as president: Grover Cleveland. That's right, Cleveland first took office in 1885 after defeating Republican candidate James G. Blaine in the election. In 1888, he lost the presidency to Benjamin Harrison. However, in 1892, Cleveland won again, assuming his second mandate in 1893.

4

First president to win the Nobel Peace Prize

Image: Sunguk Kim

Winning a Nobel Peace Prize is not something that happens every day, right? Fortunately, four US presidents have achieved this remarkable recognition.

The first was Theodore Roosevelt, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for his role in negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War. The other three presidents who received the Nobel were Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter (who was awarded the prize after leaving office), and Barack Obama.

5

First president born in the 20th century

Image: Florida Memory

The turn of the century is always a momentous and exciting event, and the first decades of the last century were quite... shall we say, "busy." The first president to serve during the 20th century was William McKinley, who was already in office at the turn of the century. But here’s a different question: who was the first future president born in the 20th century?

We're referring to none other than John F. Kennedy, who was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts. At the age of 29, he won a seat in the House of Representatives, and six years later, he secured a position in the Senate.

Finally, in 1961, JFK was inaugurated as the 35th president of the United States.

6

First president to light the National Christmas Tree

Image: Gaby Dyson

The lighting of the National Christmas Tree by the president of the country has become a cherished tradition that beautifully reflects the American Christmas spirit.

This tradition began on December 24, 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge became the first to light the National Christmas Tree located at the Ellipse near the White House. The imposing tree stood 48 feet tall and was decorated with over 2,500 electric lights. Beautiful!

Fortunately, the presidents who followed Coolidge have continued this delightful Christmas custom, keeping the tradition alive for generations to enjoy.

7

First president on TV

Image: Yle Archives

In the 1930s, it wasn't common to see the president's face on TV. In fact, before 1939, no president had ever appeared on television while in office.

The first American president on TV was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who made his television debut on April 30, 1939, at the New York World's Fair. Although this might not seem so revolutionary today, at the time, it marked a turning point in political communication and how leaders connected with citizens. His speech is remembered for addressing important issues, such as the future of the nation and the world.

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First president on color TV

Image: Aleks Dorohovich

Yes, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first US president to appear on TV, but Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first sitting US president who was lucky enough to appear on color television!

This detail, which seems trivial today, was a radical change at the time. When color TV arose, everything people watched on their living room screens began to better reflect the reality outside. Eisenhower made his color TV debut during the 1950s , delivering a speech as part of his re-election campaign—a moment that symbolized the merging of politics and modern technology.

9

First president to visit all 50 states

Image: David Lusvardi

We know that the United States of America is a big country. In fact, we're one of the largest countries in the world in terms of territory. For this reason, it can be a challenge to get to visit all 50 states that make up our nation in a short period of time. However, one president managed to accomplish this feat for the first time.

The president who achieved this milestone was Richard Nixon, the 37th president (1969-1974), when he visited Maine on October 22, 1972, marking the completion of his goal.

It’s worth noting, in fairness to all previous presidents, that Hawaii and Alaska didn’t become states until 1959.

10

First president on the internet

Image: Anthony Massaro

Although the origins of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s, it wasn’t until the late 1980s that it became a widely popular and accessible phenomenon.

In line with global technological advances, the White House decided to incorporate the use of the Internet during the presidency of Bill Clinton, who officially became the first president to use the Internet for work purposes while in office.

But that wasn't all! Clinton also hosted an event that seemed unimaginable before —he organized a live chat from the White House. With that, Clinton was establishing the first direct communication between a US president and the public through the Internet.

1

Friends

Image: David Vives

We’ll start with what many consider to be the quintessential sitcom. Debuting in 1994, Friends followed the varied and whimsical lives of six New Yorkers —Chandler, Joey, Ross, Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe—and the everyday adventures they found themselves in. Throughout its 10-year run, Friends received acclaim from both critics and viewers alike and is now considered one of the most successful and highest-grossing television shows of all time.

2

Seinfeld

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

You might think that a sitcom describing itself as " a show about nothing " wouldn’t be particularly successful—let alone one of the most iconic shows of all time. And yet, Seinfeld remains one of the most influential shows in history, praised for its sharp writing and incredibly talented cast. The series follows comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his three eccentric friends—Elaine, George, and Kramer—as they navigate the often absurd minutiae of daily life.

3

Mad About You

Image: Mandy von Stahl

While sitcom settings may vary greatly, most tend to revolve around subjects that resonate with audiences—love, the workplace, or family life, for example. In that sense, the 1992 sitcom Mad About You seemed to embrace the phrase "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it" as its mantra. The show centered on a young married couple (played by Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt) living in New York City. As simple as the premise might sound, the series’ stellar performances and insightful writing earned it numerous awards, including 12 Emmys and 4 Golden Globes.

4

The Big Bang Theory

Image: Ben Griffiths

The Big Bang Theory faced the difficult task of making the world of science fun and accessible . Luckily, it had an extremely lovable and talented cast that rose to the occasion. The first episode introduces us to Leonard and Sheldon, two physicists whose lives take an unexpected turn when they meet their new next-door neighbor, Penny.

5

Modern Family

Image: Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0

As we mentioned earlier, family life is a recurring theme in many sitcoms. However, the 2009 show Modern Family put a fresh spin on this concept by focusing on three separate yet interconnected families. The series not only featured an exceptionally talented cast but also placed its many characters in both hilarious and heartfelt situations.

6

The Honeymooners

Image: Lauren Richmond

First aired in 1955, The Honeymooners revolves around New York City bus driver Ralph Kramden and his wife, Alice (wonderfully portrayed by Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows). Gleason’s quick wit, combined with the show’s many catchphrases ("Bang, zoom, straight to the Moon!" and "Homina, homina!", to name a few), quickly cemented the series in American pop culture. Not only that, many timeless shows, such as The Flintstones , were inspired by The Honeymooners .

7

Cheers

Image: Yutacar

Like many Americans, you might frequent a local "watering hole"—a small bar or tavern where you can unwind and enjoy a drink or two with friends. In that sense, the 1982 sitcom Cheers perfectly captured that feeling from the very start, with its iconic theme song praising a magical place " where everybody knows your name ." The sitcom was so successful that it inspired Frasier , a spin-off centered around one of Cheers’ most popular characters.

8

Community

Image: Unseen Studio

In case you didn’t know, the term "sitcom" is short for "situational comedy." As you might expect, the setting in which these situations unfold is an essential component. With that in mind, showrunner Dan Harmon devised a unique premise for his 2009 show Community . Inspired by the community college he attended in his youth, he created a series centered around a group of quirky misfits studying Spanish at the fictional Greendale Community College.

9

Full House

Image: Ross Joyner

For such a lighthearted sitcom , Full House had a surprisingly somber premise : a recently widowed father (played by Bob Saget) enlists the help of his best friend and brother-in-law to raise his three daughters. Nevertheless, the show quickly became a beloved classic, running for eight seasons and earning several awards along the way.

10

All in the Family

Image: Simon Berger

Few names command as much respect and admiration in comedy writing circles as Norman Lear . This legendary screenwriter and producer was responsible for some of the most iconic shows in television history, including The Jeffersons , Sanford and Son , and One Day at a Time . With that in mind, choosing his best show is no easy task, but we believe All in the Family is the strongest contender. Not only was this 1971 sitcom hilarious and sharp-witted , but it also tackled major issues such as religion and the Vietnam War.

11

I Love Lucy

Image: Mayur Gala

We’ll end this article with what many consider to be the sitcom that started it all . Starring Lucille Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz, the 1951 show I Love Lucy follows Lucy Ricardo, a New York City housewife determined to break into show business. Soon after its premiere, it became the most-watched show in the United States and went on to win five Emmy Awards. To this day, it remains one of the most influential television shows in history.