Inspirational Stories of Former U.S. Presidents

To be Presented on President’s Day

Since it is President’s Day Today,

• We will consider the following questions:• What would you do if you were President of the

United States of America?• Who would help you to become President?• How long do you think it would take to do this?• What if you had a hard time, ran into some

difficulties, some obstacles? What would you do then?

What Would You Do If You Were President of the U.S.?

• You might be President some day! Why not? It might even be a reason to care about your school work.

• What great changes will you make?

• Will those changes improve the society and help people?

Who Would Help You Become President of the U.S.?

• No one is successful on their own.

• Everyone has helpers and needs help.

• Never hesitate to ask for help if you need it and be prepared to give help when you see people having difficulty.

• Even if you cannot be President, you can still do some pretty important things.

How Long Will It Take For Me To Be President of the U.S.?

• It takes time to get important things done.

• Not everything is instant.

• Important things take planning and we have to leave time for things to happen.

What If You Run Into Obstacles?

• When trying to reach your goal, there are always going to be difficulties, barriers, obstacles, roadblocks, and trouble along the way.

• That’s just the way things are, and when that happens, we have to work to get around them. We have to be persistent about the things we really care about.

• We must NEVER GIVE UP!• Former presidents also faced many challenges

before and during their presidency. • Let’s look at two:

• Franklin D. Roosevelt • Abraham Lincoln

Franklin D. Roosevelt

32nd President of the U.S.

1932-1945

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Obstacles President Roosevelt Faced

• In 1920, Roosevelt lost for the Post of the Vice President.

• In 1921, Roosevelt, who had polio at that time, had an attack which resulted in paralysis of waist which continued for the rest of his life.

• In 1932, after winning the presidency election, President Roosevelt faced an immediate challenge: economic crisis – great depression, unemployment

• During his third term, he faced another challenge: World War II

• Throughout his presidency, he suffered many health problems.

Successes

• Only U.S. President to have served more than two terms of presidency. (Each term is four years).

• He was the only American President to be elected FOUR times: 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944.

• Tackled the Great Depression in America and led the country from a fast growing economy to a mighty world power.

• Set into place programs and agencies that still persist to this day: SEC, FDIC, and Social Security.

Nothing Stopped Him

• Despite the fact that he had Polio and was in a wheelchair, he went on and persevered through it all.

• He showed the American people that you can do anything if you set your mind to it, and that you shouldn’t let anything hold you back.

• One of his famous quotes is, “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”

• If we keep these words in mind and not let our personal fears hold us back, we can accomplish many things that we never thought we could.

“It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

– Franklin D. Roosevelt

Famous Quote

Abraham Lincoln

16th President of the U.S.

1860-1865

Abraham Lincoln

Obstacles President Lincoln Faced

• In 1816, Lincoln ‘s family is forced out of home and needs to work.

• In 1818, his mother passes away.

• In 1828, his sister passes away.

• In 1831, Lincoln’s business venture fails.

• In 1832, he lost his job, denied from law school, and was defeated for State Legislature.

• In 1833, he failed in business and became bankrupt.

• In 1835, his fiancée passes away.

• In 1836, he suffered a nervous breakdown and was bedridden for 6 months.

• In 1838, he was defeated for Speaker.

• In 1840, he was defeated for Elector.

Obstacles President Lincoln Faced

• In 1843, he was defeated for nomination for Congress.

• In 1846, he was elected to Congress and in 1848, he lost renomination.

• In 1849, he was rejected for Land Officer.

• In 1850, his son, Edward, dies.

• In 1854, he was defeated for Senate.

• In 1856, he was defeated for nomination for Vice-President.

• In 1858, he was defeated again for Senate.

• In 1860, he was elected President.

• In 1862, his son, Willie, dies.

• In 1865, he is assassinated.

Successes

• He issued the Emancipation Proclamation which began the process of freedom for America’s slaves.

• He was an unfaltering commander in chief during the Civil War and preserved the United States as one nation.

• He was successful in preventing other countries from intervening in America’s Civil War.

• He signed Acts and a Bill that chartered the first transcontinental railroad.

• He set a fine example of strong character, leadership and honesty which succeeding presidents try to emulate.

Nothing Stopped Him

• Based on his past record of failures, losing 8 times in 8 elections, Abraham Lincoln had no right to think he could win the presidency of the United States. But that did not keep him from trying!

• One of his famous quotes is, “I walk slowly, but I never walk backward.”

• Success does not come overnight, so keep your goal in sight and keep moving forward – no matter how slowly.

“That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well”

– Abraham Lincoln

Famous Quote

Final Thoughts

• In order to achieve success, one must fail and learn from it.

• However, the difference between those who become successful and those who become failures has to do with how they overcome adversity and obstacles. Those who become successful never quit (even though, they have failed many times). Instead, they learn how NOT to fail again and begin again more intelligently.

• Therefore, never give up because success is closer than you think.

The Presidents of the U.S.A.

• Want to see a video of all your presidents? Click on the link below:

• The Presidents of the United States of America