Presidents and First Ladies Trivia

[Eva Elisabeth]

If he was a German, the "e" would almost sound like the "a" in "manison" and the "au" like "ow" in "wow".

[Hess1865]

Was Mrs. Buchanan this distinguished lady?

Buchanan wasa batchelor

[J. Beckert]

For nearly three centuries, Japan had been a completely isolated nation. American shipping interests, however, identified the nation as a prime location to stop and resupply their ships on the way into China and Southeast Asia.

Which U.S. President pioneered the idea of trade with Japan?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Millard Fillmore?

[J. Beckert]

You nailed it, Eva. Another one of our log cabin Presidents who doesn't get anywhere near the respect Lincoln gets, Millard Fillmore was the first to explore trade with Japan.

All you folks that drive those reliable, fuel efficient Toyotas owe a debt of gratitude to the Rodney Dangerfield of Presidents.

[L Verge]

I just read something about our first naval battle with Japan occurring during the Civil War. I believe a synopsis of it will be in the July issue of the Surratt Courier in our day-by-day blows of what was occurring during that war.

[RJNorton]

Which First Lady said this?

"I live a very dull life here and know nothing that passes in the town. I never go to any public place - indeed, I am more like a state prisoner than anything else. There is certain bounds set for me which I must not depart from - and as I cannot do as I like, I am obstinate, and stay at home a great deal."

Hint #1: This was not said before or after her husband's presidency; it was said while he was president.

[Eva Elisabeth]

James Madison's wife?

[RJNorton]

Eva, it's not her, but you are not too far off.

[tblunk]

Eva, it's not her, but you are not too far off.

Abigail Adams?

[RJNorton]

You are REALLY getting close, Tom.

[tblunk]

You are REALLY getting close, Tom.

Well then, by the process of elimination, I'm going to say Martha Washington! Warmer? Colder?

[Eva Elisabeth]

The hint suggests she had already been in Washington before the presidency. Martha Jefferson? (Am I a spoilsport if I'm guessing that often? If I know I'll back off!)

[Joe Di Cola]

Abigail Adams? The President's House was still not completely ready, some of the paster was damp, and both the house and Washington were not very inviting places. Washington was a smelly, muddy, uncultured city at its founding.

[RJNorton]

Good try, Eva and Joe, but Tom got it. These feelings were expressed by Martha Washington, then in New York, in a letter to her niece, Frances Fanny Bassett Washington. The date of the letter was October 23, 1789.