Billy, also known as William Johnson Hippopotamus[1] (before 1927 – October 11, 1955 [2]), was a pygmy hippopotamus given to United States President Calvin Coolidge. Captured in Liberia, he was given to Coolidge by Harvey S. Firestone in 1927. Billy spent most of his life in the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Jan 24, 2016 · Billy, a pygmy hippo from Liberia, was presented in 1927 to President Calvin Coolidge as a gift from Harvey Samuel Firestone (the tire magnate). The president did the right thing and immediately donated the large animal to the National Zoo.

Nov 25, 2024 · During the Roaring ’20s, the American National Zoo welcomed the first pygmy hippo superstar. This pygmy hippo at the 1939 World’s Fair Firestone exhibit was probably Gumdrop I, Billy’s...

On June 10, 1927, the National Zoo received its first pygmy hippo, Billy, or William Johnson Hippopotamus if you want to be formal about it. Billy was gifted to U.S. President Calvin Coolidge by rubber magnate Harvey Samuel Firestone in 1927.

Jan 18, 2024 · Well, you may be wondering what a pygmy hippopotamus is — us too. This rare animal is a Liberia native and was gifted to Coolidge by Harvey Firestone, founder of Firestone Tires and American businessman. The hippo’s name was Billy.

Billy, or William Johnson Hippopotamus (before 1927 – October 11, 1955), was a pygmy hippopotamus given to U.S. President Calvin Coolidge. Captured in Liberia, he was given to Coolidge by Harvey S. Firestone in 1927. Billy spent most of his life in the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Jan 15, 2025 · Formally, this famous pygmy hippo was known as Willian Johnson Hippopotamus. To his friends and admirers, he was Billy. Billy’s story began in his native country of Liberia. He had, presumably,...

Dec 28, 2023 · Billy, or William Johnson Hippopotamus, (1920s – October 11, 1955) was a Pygmy Hippopotamus given as a pet to U.S. President Calvin Coolidge. Captured in Liberia, he was given to Coolidge by Harvey Samuel Firestone in 1927.

Jan 8, 2015 · He had six dogs, a bobcat, a goose, a donkey, a cat, two lion cubs, an antelope, and a wallaby. The main attraction in his personal zoo, though, was Billy, a pygmy hippopotamus.

Jan 15, 2009 · Billy the Pygmy Hippo found his way to the White House via Liberia after he was captured there by Harvey Firestone, maker of Firestone tires. There's a certain irony to capturing and enslaving an animal from a country that was founded by freed slaves from the United States, but we digress...