Here are some quick facts, opinions, quotes and other information on President Dwight Eisenhower:
Personal Information on Dwight Eisenhower:
- Thirty-fourth President (1953-1961)
- Birthday: October 14, 1890 (Tuesday)
- Birthplace: Denison, Texas
- Birthplace Website: President Dwight Eisenhower’s Birthplace
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- Date of Death: March 28, 1969 (Friday)
- Place of Death: Washington DC
- Place of Burial: Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas
- Cause of Death: Coronary thrombosis, heart failure
- Age: 78 years old
- Length of Retirement: 2989 days
- Burial website: President Dwight Eisenhower’s Grave
- Presidential Library Website: Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home
Interesting Dwight Eisenhower facts:
- Our Interstate Highway System’s proper name is The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. It came into being by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, which Eisenhower championed and signed into law. In 1919, Eisenhower was a member of the US Army’s first Transcontinental Motor Convoy. The Convoy had to use the Lincoln Highway and Eisenhower was very upset about the highway’s state of disrepair. Originally the Act was to cover a ten year period and the cost was to be covered by diverted defense funds. The second part of the Act required the Air Force to have a direct link to the system. The Highway Trust Fund was suppose to cover 90 percent of the cost and the remaining 10 percent would be covered by the states. It took thirty-five years for the original portion of the Act to be completed. Some of the urban routes were cancelled or never built. By 2013 the network had increased in size to 47,856 miles. It is estimated that one-quarter of all vehicles in the United States use the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways system.
- Dwight Eisenhower was the third of seven boys born to David Dwight and Ida Elizabeth (Stover) Eisenhower. No one is really sure when their family history changed their German name from Eisenhaur to Eisenhower. Eisenhower was originally given the name David Dwight Eisenhower by his Mom, but she thought it would be confusing having two David Dwights (his Dad was David Dwight, too) in the house. His Mom also called all her boys Ike, though. Ike is an abbreviation for Eisenhower. Eisenhower’s older brother, Edgar, was called “big Ike,” while Dwight was called “little Ike.” By the start of World War II, though, Dwight was the only one still being called Ike.
- James Madison is the shortest President. Madison was five feet four inches tall. Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson were the tallest Presidents. They were six feet four inches tall. Current President Donald Trump is six feet two inches tall. The average height of our Presidents is a little over five feet ten and a half inches tall. Dwight Eisenhower is the only President who was five feet and ten and a half inches tall.
My favorite Dwight Eisenhower Quotes:
Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.
You don’t lead by hitting people over the head-that’s assault, not leadership.
Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.
There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure.
If you want total security, go to prison. There you’re fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking…freedom.
Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.
Dwight Eisenhower blogs (click the title to go to that page):
Dwight Eisenhower page on Presidential Crossroads (click “Dwight Eisenhower” below):
Dwight Eisenhower
Dwight Eisenhower Blogs:
His Mother-In-Law – Elivera Mathilda Carlson Doud
His Temper and Near Leg Amputation
Meeting Eisenhower (Guest Blogger: Charles Cooper)
What similar traits do I have with Presidents Harding to LBJ
Personal thoughts on Dwight Eisenhower:
Strengths:
Leadership, Love of America, Big smile, Popularity
Weaknesses:
Sometimes had a hard time getting past people he didn’t like, Sometimes indecisive in releasing underperforming, loyal associates
Presidential Greatness Scale (1-poor to 5-great): 4
Comments:
When I was growing up, Dwight Eisenhower was the favorite President of a lot of my parent’s generation. Although I was born when Eisenhower was President, just about the only thing I personally remember about him was when he died. Three Presidents all died within four years of each other: Eisenhower (March 28, 1969), Truman (December 26, 1972), and LBJ (January 22, 1973). Until I read a book or two on Eisenhower, I thought he was just some popular, rock star type of President, that appealed more to my parent’s generation. But Eisenhower was actually a very good President. The United States witnessed great prosperity under his two terms. His two main goals were to keep pressure on the Soviet Union and to reduce the federal deficit. He was not afraid to stand up to friend or foe. He would criticize Israel, Britain, France, the Soviet Union, Iran, China, Vietnam and others when he did not agree with their actions. Likewise, he opposed Joseph McCarthy, Harry Truman, and he would even send his Vice President, Richard Nixon, on many foreign missions to get him out of his hair. Not a big fan of the space race, he realized the Soviet advantage when they sent Sputnik into space. He would be responsible for establishing NASA. He also supported the peaceful use of nuclear power with his Atomic Energy Act.
Favorite Dwight Eisenhower book:
Eisenhower: Soldier and President, The Renowned One-Volume Life by Stephen E. Ambrose
Favorite Dwight Eisenhower story:
My favorite story of Eisenhower is his upbringing. There is just a very special place in my heart for underdogs who prevail. Even with his poor, humble upbringing, he would arise, almost out of nowhere, and lead us, as a five star US Army General and Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War II. He would then lead us as President of the United States. It just shows what a really great country we have. Anyone one can grow up to be anything if they put the effort into it.
Most memorable Dwight Eisenhower memory:
When I was younger, I use to deliver newspapers. At the end of the month I would have to go collect the money for the papers I delivered. Christmas time was always a good time for tips. One time, around Christmas, I was collecting money for my deliveries and the woman who lived at one of the houses I delivered to also worked at the bank. The Eisenhower dollar coins had just come out and she gave me one as a tip. Although I received many tips during my time as a paperboy, and I appreciated them all, that is the only one I still remember to this day. I can still point out the exact house she lived in.
Favorite Dwight Eisenhower possession (see picture at the top):
My Eisenhower Dollar Coin (the big dollar coins) Collection
