Ranking The Wildest, Most Memorable State Of The Union Moments Throughout History
As President Trump prepares to address Congress for the first time in his second term, The Gas Lamp decided to take a look back at the wildest, most memorable moments at State of the Union addresses in American history.
1825 - After spending a whole campaign season getting ridiculed by both parties for his facial hair, President John Quincy Adams declared that mutton chops were officially cool and nobody could make fun of him for it anymore.
1853 - Other than having a president named Millard, the only thing interesting about President Fillmore’s administration is that a 9-year-old future U.S. president was in attendance for his final State of the Union address - Joe Biden.
1865 - With the Union on the verge of winning the Civil War, President Lincoln brought a recently freed black boy up to the podium and instructed him to taunt Democratic House members during his speech
1869 - President Ulysses S. Grant delivered what can barely be considered a State of the Union address as he slammed seven beers minutes before taking the podium, resulting in a drunken rant about how he despises hillbillies just as equally as blacks.
1923 - Attached to cable wires, President Warren G. Harding descended from the ceiling in an effort to liven up his otherwise dull disposition and uneventful presidency. Harding’s stunt reportedly inspired Lady Gaga to perform a similar entrance during the Super Bowl LI halftime show.
1941 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt briefly forgot he was paralyzed and passionately stood up to defend the glories of socialism.
1963 - Due to poor planning, the lizard people who control the world government were briefly spotted peeking through the rafters at President John F. Kennedy’s final address over concerns that he was going to overthrow their order. Fearing exposure, they had no choice but to take him out and send CIA proxies to future globally significant events.
1997 - Less than a year before the Monica Lewinsky scandal became public, many wondered why President Clinton kept pointing and winking to a then-unknown White House aide in the back row whenever Congress applauded.
2009 - Often known as being one of the most hip presidents, Obama set the swagger tone for his presidency by doing the griddy all the way down the House Chamber aisle before mimicking a fade-away jumper on John Boehner.
2020 - Everyone remembers Nancy Pelosi spitefully ripping up a copy of President Trump’s speech, but few know that it was actually a copy of The Cheesecake Factory menu as she was upset the restaurant chain messed up her Tex Mex Eggrolls earlier that afternoon.