#12 – Zachary Taylor

#12 – Zachary TaylorBorn: November 24, 1784

Birthplace: Barboursville, Virginia

Political party: Whig

Term: 1849-50

Vice President: Millard Fillmore

Nickname: Old Rough and Ready

Children: 6; 1 boy and 5 girls

Died: July 9, 1850

#12 – Zachary Taylor

As an infant he moved to Jefferson County, Kentucky .He did not attend college.1803: Volunteer in the Kentucky Militia1808: He was commissioned as first Lieutenant of infantry.1810: married Margaret Mackall Smith

#12 – Zachary Taylor1812: Defended Fort Harrison against an Indian attack.1815: promoted to Major General. Resigns the same year.1816: re-enters the military.1832: fought in the Black Hawk War.1837: ranked a Brigadier General.

#12 – Zachary Taylor1837-40: fought in the Seminole Wars in Florida. Earned the nickname “Old Rough and Ready”1840-45: remained in the army but lived on his plantation in Mississippi.1846: Taylor awaits orders to attack Mexico. Border dispute! Congress declares war – Mexican War begins.Involved in the battles of Palo Alto, Monterey, and Buena Vista.

#12 – Zachary Taylor

The victory at Buena Vista elevates Taylor’s popularity – becomes a “War Hero”

#12 – Zachary TaylorHe is demoted by President Polk and does not invade Mexico City. Polk is afraid of his popularity. Polk thinks that when the war is over he may try to run for President.

June 1848: Whigs nominate him as Presidential candidate.

1849-50: Elected the 12th President of the U.S.

#12 – Zachary TaylorJuly 4, 1850: Taylor celebrates by eating a bowl of cherries and milk. As a result he contracts food poisoning and dies 5 days later.

July 9, 1850 : Dies in Washington D.C.

Interesting Facts:

1849: safety pin invented – Walter Hunt, U.S.

1850: Compromise of 1850 passes house, not Senate.

1850: Fugitive Slave Act passes house, not Senate.

No states admitted