Wednesday, January 30, 2013

FDR

'Franklin

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born 132 years ago today.

Click here to hear part of his first innaugral address

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

William McKinley

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Mckinley.jpg/220px-Mckinley.jpg
William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States.  An immensely popular president who was assassinated by an anarchist early in his 2nd term.  He was replaced by his Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt.

Perhaps McKinley would have garnered Roosevelt's place on Mount Rushmore had he not died of septic shock while attempting to  recover from his shooting.

A man of compassion:  Shortly after he was shot at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo New York, when he saw assailant being beaten to the ground, he called out "Don't let them. hurt him."

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Richard Nixon



Richard Milhous Nixon was born on January 9th. 1913.  That is to say, he would have turned 100 today if he lived that long. He died on April 22, 1994.  Nixon was a U.S. congressman, senator, vice president and then president.  

Nixon is best known for his role in the Watergate  scandal which caused him to resign the presidency in 1974.


Fast Facts: Wife Pat Nixon 

Children: Tricia and Julie

Vice President of Dwight Eisenhower 1953-1960

Ran against  and lost to John F. Kennedy in 1960 presidential election.



Monday, January 7, 2013

Millard Filmore

Millard Filmore by soogle

Millard Filmore, a photo by soogle on Flickr.
  I have decided to teach the kids a little about each U.S. president this year.  Instead of going in order of service, I have chosen to go in birthday order.  So Lucky number 13, Millard Fillmore born this day in January 1800 is the first president we will study.

Fact Sheet
Millard Fillmore
13th President of U.S.
Whig Party
Born Jan 7th 1800
President from July 10th 1850 to March 4th 1853
Died March 8th 1874

Fillmore was preceded by Zachary Taylor ,who had died in office and succeeded by Franklin Pierce.

The most significant event of the Fillmore Presidency was the passage and enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.  While Fillmore was personally opposed slavery, he championed this legislation because He thought it was in the best interest of perserving the Union which was divided by the issue.  So much so that both Northerners and Southeners threatened succesion from the Union during the Taylor presidency.

Millard Fillmore and his wife Abigail shared a passion for books.  They are credited for bringing the first library into the White House. 
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