Beard Face 9000: A True Story: (Bearded) President's Day Weekend

There once was a time, some call it "the 1800s" when a man could be elected to the highest office with a full-on beard. One could say that President John Adams started the facial hair trend as the 6th President of the United States with distinct and well-groomed chops. But he was eclipsed by Martin Van Buren's (Prez #8) crazy and completely out-of-control "beard-like" sideburns that seemed to be the length of the hair on his head... well, the side of his head. You could argue that he had 2 beards! Quite the feat.

But President number 16, Honest Abe Lincoln, truly starts a trend that would last from 1861 - 1893. Ulysses Grant (#18) would pick up the slack where silly and horribly unfortunate President Andrew Johnson dropped it from 1865-1869. Following Grant was Rutherford Hayes (#19). Probably noted as the Presidents' President of Beards in some circles. James Garfield (#20) showed up next with a SERIOUS contender, but, alas, was not as crazy looking as our boy Hayes.

Oh, Chester Arthur... what were you thinking? Coming off of Garfield's amazingly popular beard you have... skinny chops and a mustache that NEARLY connects? I got news (albeit 127 years too late) for you... fat face and those whiskers don't mix. Grover Cleveland had a 'stache too, but it was brilliantly interrupted by Benjamin Harrison (#23) and his neatly trimmed Grandpa beard.

Since Benjamin Harrison, no President of the United States has worn a beard. I say, it's high time we get a bearded man back in office! This country needs a true leader! And true leaders wear the beard!!!

SO! On this President's Day, may you lift a glass to the Bearded Commanders in Chief... remembering their legacy and their beard-growing abilities.

President John Quincy Adams