Hail to the Chiefs
Fun facts about our presidents
[February 2, 2010]
Americans began celebrating George Washington’s birthday while he was still in office, and February 22 eventually became a federal holiday. Later, many Americans also celebrated Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, though it was never an official holiday.
It was during the Nixon administration that the third Monday of February was set aside to honor all past presidents. STCU branch locations are closed on the holiday, which this year falls on February 15.
In honor of the holiday, STCU offers these facts about the presidents on U.S. coins and currency:
Presidents in your pocket
- Lincoln, who has been on the penny since 1909, was the first president to appear on a circulating coin.
- Washington has been on the quarter since 1932, the bicentennial of his birth.
- Jefferson first graced the nickel in 1938.
- The Roosevelt dime first appeared in 1946, partly to honor the late president’s support for the March of Dimes.
- The Kennedy half dollar began in February 1964, a record three months after his death.
- The Eisenhower dollar coin lasted from 1971-1978.
Folding presidents
- Salmon Chase, the treasury secretary who hoped to become president, put his own face on the $1 bill when it was introduced in 1862. It was redesigned seven years later to honor George Washington.
- Lincoln has been on the $5 bill since 1914. Among those preceding him on the bill: Christopher Columbus, General Phillip Sheridan, and Chief Running Antelope.
- Andrew Jackson has been on the $20 bill since 1928.
- Two non-presidents appear on modern bills: Alexander Hamilton ($10) and Benjamin Franklin ($100).
- Woodrow Wilson was on the largest bill ever circulated in the United States, $100,000.
Collect presidential coins
Collecting kits sold at any STCU branch location
Celebrate Presidents’ Day by starting a $1 presidential coin collection.
Presidential coin collecting kits are available at STCU branch locations for $10 each. Half the proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network.
Each kit contains a 64-page book of presidential facts and slots for the first 38 coins issued through the Presidential $1 Coin Program. The U.S. Mint plans to release four of these coins each year through 2016.
Fun fact: Because he served non-consecutive terms, Grover Cleveland will be honored in 2012 with two $1 coins.
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