1. He fought in 103 duels
Jackson didn’t just talk tough—he literally fought for his honor. Over the years, he participated in over 100 duels, usually to defend his wife’s honor. In one particularly famous duel, he let his opponent shoot him first, took a bullet to the chest, and then calmly killed the guy. The bullet stayed lodged in his body for the rest of his life, because, apparently, that’s just how he rolled.
2. He adopted a wild bulletproof persona
That bullet from his duel wasn’t the only one. Jackson was shot multiple times throughout his life and carried fragments of bullets in his body. Somehow, he survived it all, earning the nickname “Old Hickory” for his toughness. Honestly, he was the closest thing 19th-century America had to a Marvel superhero (minus the good guy part).
3. He once beat an attempted assassin with his cane
In 1835, Jackson became the first U.S. president to face an assassination attempt. When a man tried to shoot him—twice—both of the would-be assassin’s guns misfired. Instead of running for cover, Jackson chased the guy down and beat him senseless with his cane. This was a 67-year-old man, by the way.
4. He threw the wildest inauguration party ever
When Jackson was inaugurated in 1829, he invited the public to the White House to celebrate. Thousands of rowdy supporters trashed the place, broke furniture, and spilled alcohol everywhere. Jackson had to escape out a window to avoid being crushed by the crowd. They only left when the staff lured them outside with tubs of spiked punch.
5. He adopted a child he found on a battlefield
During the War of 1812, Jackson discovered an orphaned Creek Indian boy named Lyncoya on a battlefield. Instead of leaving him, Jackson adopted him and raised him as part of his family. While it’s a touching story on the surface, it’s also a little bizarre considering Jackson’s brutal policies against Native Americans later in life.
6. He vetoed more bills than all his predecessors combined
Jackson didn’t just see himself as president; he saw himself as a one-man wrecking crew. He vetoed 12 bills during his presidency, more than the six presidents before him combined. His most famous veto was of the recharter of the Second Bank of the United States, which he saw as corrupt and dangerous. It was like a personal crusade.
7. He hated paper money but is on the $20 bill
Jackson was a die-hard opponent of the paper money system, which he believed favored the rich and powerful. Ironically, he’s now the face of the $20 bill, something that would probably make him roll over in his grave. Talk about the ultimate historical trolling.
8. He was a self-taught military leader
Jackson didn’t come from a military background—he was a lawyer by trade. But during the War of 1812, he led American troops to a stunning victory at the Battle of New Orleans. His strategy was so successful that it made him a national hero, even though the war had technically ended two weeks earlier.
9. He had a pet parrot that swore like a sailor
Jackson’s pet parrot, Poll, reportedly learned how to curse from its owner. At Jackson’s funeral, Poll disrupted the solemn occasion by squawking a stream of obscenities, shocking the gathered mourners. Honestly, it was probably exactly how Jackson would’ve wanted it.
10. He survived smallpox, malaria, and gunshot wounds
If there was a contest for “Most Indestructible Human,” Jackson would win. He caught smallpox as a teenager, contracted malaria multiple times, and survived two major gunshot wounds. By all accounts, he should’ve died several times over, but his sheer stubbornness kept him alive.
11. He dismantled the national bank out of sheer spite
Jackson’s hatred of the national bank was legendary. He believed it was a tool of the elites to control ordinary Americans. He not only vetoed its renewal but pulled federal funds from it and placed them in smaller state banks, which destabilized the economy for years. For better or worse, Jackson didn’t do half-measures.
12. He literally made his enemies fear him
Political opponents didn’t just dislike Jackson—they were afraid of him. John Quincy Adams called him “a barbarian.” Henry Clay said he was a “maniac.” Even his allies sometimes worried about his temper. It’s safe to say that Jackson ruled by fear, and it worked.
