Nicknamed "Old Hickory," Andrew Jackson was a Major General in the Federal Army and founder of the Democratic Party.
Presidential Facts
- At the age of 13, Jackson joined the army to fight in the Revolutionary War. During his service, he and his brother were captured by the British.
- Jackson believed in a strong central government, and as president, he greatly expanded the powers of the executive branch.
- In 1835, Jackson survived an assassination attempt on his life. This was the first ever attempt to do bodily harm to a U.S. president. The assailant’s gun misfired and Jackson defended himself with his walking stick!
