James Monroe – Fascinating Facts About the Fifth U.S. President

James Monroe was the only president to be elected unopposed besides George Washington.

Monroe served as the Secretary of State and Secretary of War under President James Madison.

He was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States.

Monroe was the first president to ride on a steamboat.

He was the first president to hold a religious ceremony upon entering office.

Monroe was the first president to wear long pants instead of knee breeches.

He was the first president to move about the country exclusively by steamboat and railroad.

Monroe is the only president to have had two Vice Presidents die while in office.

He lived longer than any other president, reaching the age of 73.

Monroe was the first president to have his inauguration reported by telegraph.

While president, Monroe completed the expansion of the White House.

He established the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that the United States would not tolerate European interference in the Western Hemisphere.

Monroe was the first president to deliver an inaugural address outdoors.

He adopted two Native American children during his presidency.

Monroe was the first president to start his term on a Sunday.

He was the first president to appear on U.S. currency, the $1 silver certificate issued in 1862.

Monroe’s presidency is often referred to as the Era of Good Feelings due to the relative lack of partisan strife.

James Monroe – Fascinating Facts About the Fifth U.S. President part 2

He was a skilled diplomat and negotiated the Louisiana Purchase with France in 1803.

Monroe served as President Jefferson’s Minister to France and helped negotiate the terms of the Louisiana Purchase.

He was the first president to have held command in the field as a regular army officer.

Monroe was the only president to be elected to the Senate after serving as president.

He has a county named after him in West Virginia.

Monroe was the first governor of Virginia to be elected by popular vote.

He was the last of the presidents who fought in the Revolutionary War.

Monroe’s presidency oversaw the acquisition of Florida from Spain in 18

He was a college roommate of future Chief Justice of the United States John Marshall.

Monroe’s presidency laid the groundwork for American expansion westward.

He is the only president in history to have had two Secretaries of State concurrently serving in their cabinets.

Monroe was the first president to appear on a U.S. postage stamp, in 1870.

He was named after his paternal uncle, James Monroe, a captain in the Continental Army.

Monroe was the last president to have been a slaveholder.

He was the first president to travel the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

Monroe was the first president to occupy the White House before it was finished.

He served as the U.S. ambassador to Britain and helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 18

Monroe was the first president to have his image taken by a camera.

He was the first president to ride on a steam-powered train.

Monroe was the first president to deliver a State of the Union address on the radio.

He was the only president to have served as both Secretary of State and Secretary of War.

Monroe was the first president to take the oath of office on a day other than March 4th.

He established the first copyright law in the United States during his presidency.

Monroe was the first president to have his presidency reviewed by a former president, Thomas Jefferson, in his memoirs.

He was the first president to be inaugurated outside of Washington, D.C.

Monroe was the first president from Virginia since Thomas Jefferson.

He was the first president to have a total solar eclipse occur during his presidency.

Monroe was the first president to have a photograph taken of him while in office.