Barack Obama's Unusual Good Luck Charm

Barack Obama carried a tiny figurine of Hanuman, a Hindu deity, among the good-luck charms he kept with him. The unusual object attracted attention during his 2008 presidential campaign, when TIME photographed several personal tokens he carried for good luck. His collection also included a bracelet associated with a soldier serving in Iraq, a gambler's lucky token, and a small religious image. The Hanuman figurine became especially interesting because it revealed an unexpected detail about the future president's everyday habits. But Obama's lucky charm is only one surprising piece of American presidential history. Grover Cleveland hired a substitute during the Civil War, while Bill Clinton communicated electronically with astronaut John Glenn during a space shuttle mission. These stories reveal a more personal and unexpected side of American presidents. Would you carry a tiny good-luck charm like Obama did? DISCLAIMER: The Hanuman figurine was documented among Obama's personal good-luck items. Carrying it does not establish any particular religious belief. #barackobama #cleveland #americanhistory #uspresident #civilwarhistory #whitehouse #obama #clinton