During his time as commander of Fort Harrison in the War of 1812, Taylor and his garrison of about 50 men were attacked by 600 rifle-toting Native Americans.
Although most of the men under his command were sick and weak, they actually succeeded in fighting off and killing the massive enemy force. It is a testament to Taylor’s strength and leadership that he survived that battle.
Hoover’s Secret Language in the White House
Herbert Hoover and his wife spent many years living in China long before he became the 31st president of the United States.
While there, they both learned to speak Chinese Mandarin, which they talked to each other in the White House when they didn’t wish to be understood.
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor, or as he was more famously known “Old Rough and Ready” was America’s 12th president and is mostly known for his brief stint in the White House, but before he became a politician Taylor was a famous war hero. He showed a talent for leadership during his military service in the Mexican-American War, which earned him his boisterous nickname. Taylor was the last leader of the Whig Party to become president and started his term in March of 1849. He was committed to a public debate about slavery, and although he himself was a slave owner at the time, was leaning towards abolishing the practice.
During his term as president, Taylor encouraged California and New Mexico to become states but sadly passed away while in office on July 9th, 1850. His death was caused by cholera, which he had contracted only days earlier. People speculated that his sudden demise was caused by his consumption of contaminated ice water and milk or due to the enormous amount of cherries he devoured on July 4th.
George W. Bush
George W. Bush served as America’s 43rd president and he was commander in chief when the devastating terrorist attacks took place on September 11th, 2001. His reaction to the horrific events was to establish the Department of Homeland Security. Bush served two terms as president, between 2001 and 2008, and while in office he ordered an invasion into Afghanistan and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which led to the end of Saddam Hussein’s regime. Bush served as the governor of Texas for five years before running for president. He won the presidential election in 2000, but because he only won the popular vote by 0.5% in Florida, the state initiated a recount of the votes.
After quite a long time the recount was completed and resulted in Bush as the victor, winning the electoral vote but losing the popular vote. His father, George H.W. Bush, had served as president about ten years before him, making George W. Bush the second US president in history whose father is a former president.
The Moment Bush Hears About 9/11
President Bush was spending a peaceful Tuesday morning with children from the Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota County, Florida.
The president was there to promote literacy in America while reading and listening to the children read The Pet Goat. At that exact moment, his aide interrupted and told him about the shocking attacks by Al Qaeda terrorists on the World Trade Center.