The United States of America has had forty-six presidents, although not all had beards. Five of the US presidents have appeared in public with beards. Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, and Benjamin Harrison were the five US presidents with beards. With President's Day right around the corner and Sir Beard's love for beards, patriotism, and freedom, he wanted to shout out to these five bearded legacies.
Abraham Lincoln is the most notable US President with a beard. He began to grow it after an 11-year-old girl, Grace Bedell, wrote him a letter suggesting it may help him win the presidential election. Lincoln started to grow a beard, which generated considerable publicity. His beard became so famous that it was the topic of a widespread campaign song - "the rail-splitter with his veto and his beard!" During his time in office, his beard gained him the nickname "Honest Abe," and after his death, it became a lasting symbol of his legacy.
When one thinks of President Ulysses S. Grant, the iconic image of his full, grizzled beard is one of the most well-known facts about the United States' 18th president. Dubbed "the thickest and longest in presidential history," Grant's beard has fascinated Americans for over 150 years and represents a timeless example of facial hair.
Ulysses S. Grant was an average young man regarding beards; he had modest facial hair growth. But that changed when he returned from the Civil War in the mid-1860s. Having achieved the rank of General and anticipating what it was like to be famous for the first time in his life, Grant decided to let his facial hair grow. The dramatic transformation of his appearance was lauded by his admirers, who compared his new beard to that of a Roman senator.
Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States of America, was born with a full beard. He also sported a Civil War-style mustache and a short, thin beard. He grew it while serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. This beard became his trademark, and people often referred to him as "Old Rough and Ready." Hayes was the first President to use the White House telephone in 1879 and the first President to have his voice recorded when he spoke at the Edison phonograph studio in Washington in 1878.
James A. Garfield was the 20th President of the United States of America. He had a full beard, mustache, and sideburns. It became known as the "Garfield Beard." The color was described as "dark brown" with a hint of auburn. He said he grew the beard to appear wiser, more manly, and presidential. Garfield was assassinated early in his term and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his role in the Civil War.
In 1882, Benjamin Harrison was well known for being the 23rd president of the United States, but he was also well known for his beard. President Harrison's beard was an important symbol for an era of heightened masculinity, making him a leader among the proudly bewhiskered men of the 19th century. The popularity of the beard among men of the time was greatly attributed to President Harrison himself. His impressive beard inspired men to grow their facial hair and display the newly acquired look with pride. President Harrison's iconic beard quickly became an American symbol – a representation of hard work, power, and determination. In many ways, President Harrison's beard was more than just a fashion statement. To many, it stood for the hope of a better future and a prosperous nation that would last for generations. To this day, President Harrison's beard continues to be remembered as a symbol of patriotism and manliness.
Being a United States President is an honorable job, and the unique facial hair of some of these leaders has made them even more recognizable. From Lincoln's rail-splitter beard to Garfield's dark brown beard, facial hair on these US presidents has become a lasting legacy throughout US history. But, as always, bearded is better.
