President Zachary Taylor standing in front of his Cabinet

1849

Zachary Taylor, born on November 24, 1784, in Virginia, was the 12th president of the United States. Known as "Old Rough and Ready" for his tough, no-nonsense demeanor, Taylor earned his fame as a military leader during the Mexican-American War, where he became a national hero. His success on the battlefield, including victories at the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Buena Vista, made him popular with the American public.

In 1848, with little political experience, Taylor was elected president as a member of the Whig Party. His presidency, however, was cut short. Taylor took a firm stance on preserving the Union during a time of rising tensions over slavery in the new territories acquired from Mexico. He opposed the extension of slavery into these territories, but his time in office was brief.

On July 9, 1850, just 16 months into his presidency, Taylor died suddenly after a brief illness. His death led to the presidency of his vice president, Millard Fillmore. Despite his short tenure, Taylor's leadership in the Mexican-American War and his defense of the Union left a lasting impact on the nation.