Zachary Taylor, a general and national hero in the United States Army from the time of the Mexican-American War and the War of 1812, was elected the 12th President of the United States in 1848. Born in Virginia in 1784, Taylor grew up in a prominent family with a history of military service. He quickly rose through the ranks in the army, gaining fame for his leadership in battles against Native American tribes and the British.
As President, Taylor faced several challenges, including the ongoing debate over slavery and the admission of new states to the Union. Despite being a slaveholder himself, Taylor opposed the extension of slavery into newly acquired territories, causing tension between him and Southern states. His presidency was cut short when he suddenly fell ill and died in July 1850, just 16 months into his term.
James K. Polk's final night as president of the United States was an all-nighter. The 11th President had spent the previous evening with Taylor discussing the transfer of power and the pressing issues facing the nation. Taylor, a man of few words but strong convictions, was known for his honesty and integrity. He was determined to address the country's problems head-on and make decisions based on what he believed was best for the nation as a whole.
On April 12, 1945, the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, died in Georgia. Harry Truman along with an entire nation mourned the loss of a leader who had guided the country through the Great Depression and World War II. Truman's unexpected presidency marked a turning point in American history, as he faced the challenges of rebuilding a post-war world and navigating the early days of the Cold War.
Jefferson Davis, the half-blind ex-President of the Confederate States of America, leaned on a cane as he hobbled into a federal courthouse. Davis, who had served as the President of the Confederate States during the Civil War, faced charges of treason and conspiracy for his role in leading the rebellion against the United States. His trial was a highly publicized event that highlighted the deep divisions that still existed in the country in the years following the war.
Super Tuesday put President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump within reach of clinching their parties' presidential nominations. The intense primary season saw both candidates facing stiff competition from within their own parties, as well as challenges from up-and-coming political figures. The race for the White House was shaping up to be a contentious battle between two very different visions for the future of the country.
The decision, the first by a court to find that Donald Trump is ineligible to hold office again because he engaged in insurrection, sent shockwaves through the political establishment. The ruling set a precedent for holding elected officials accountable for their actions and underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law in a democratic society. It also raised questions about the future of Trump's political career and the impact of his presidency on the country as a whole.
March 12 will see multiple states, including Georgia and Washington, all vote at once for the 2024 presidential nominees. The highly anticipated primaries were expected to be a crucial moment in the race for the White House, as candidates vied for the support of voters in key battleground states. The outcome of the primaries would set the stage for the general election and shape the direction of the country for years to come.
A plaque affixed to a statue unveiled in 1928 in Plattsburg, Missouri, reads, 'David Rice Atchison, 1807–1886, President of United States...' Atchison, a senator from Missouri, served as President pro tempore of the Senate in 1849 and claimed to have been President of the United States for one day in 1849. While his claim is disputed by historians, Atchison's legacy as a political figure is remembered in his home state and beyond.
