ABCs of Important Americans and American History

George Washington

Martha Washington

Lauren C. Perry

A is for Adams: Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams was married to the 2nd President, John Adams (17971801). Abigail was the 2nd First Lady Managed the Adams Farm while John was away before, during and after the Revolution. John Quincy Adams mother. Advised John Adams during trials in the early nation Time in office: March 4, 1797 March 4, 1801

Birth 1744 Death 1818 Married John Adams in 1764

B is for Benjamin: Benjamin Harrison

23rd President of the U.S. (1889-1893) Grandson of William Henry Harrison (Old Tippecanoe) From Ohio Born on a farm Competition called him Little Ben because he was 56 tall Served one term 1889-1893, defeated by Grover Cleveland

Birth: Aug 20, 1833 Death: March 13, 1901 1st Lady: Caroline Harrison

C is for Calvin: Calvin Coolidge

30th President of the U.S. (19231929) Known for his character Was not a friend of the farmer (would not give Federal relief to farms in depressed conditions) Did not regulate business Served two terms in office Restored the confidence in the Executive branch Term: March 4, 1923 March 4, 1929
Birth: July 4, 1872 Death: January 5, 1933 1st Lady: Grace Coolidge

D is for Dwight: Dwight Eisenhower

34th President (1953-1961) Born in Texas Allied Commander during invasion of North Africa and Normandy (France) during DDay WWII Came up with the Interstate Highway System Negotiated truce for Korean War Eased Cold War Tensions

Birth: Oct. 14, 1890 Death: March 28, 1969 1st Lady: Mamie Eisenhower

E is for Elizabeth: Elizabeth Monroe

1st Lady of the 5th U.S. President James Monroe (1817-1825) Disappointed Washingtons population after succeeding Dolly Madison who captivated Washingtons society. Retired sick from a long term illness, passed away five years after her tenure as 1st Lady
Born: June 30, 1768 Death: Sept. 23, 1830 1st Lady of James Monroe

F is for Franklin: Franklin D. Roosevelt

32nd President (1933-1945) Born in Hyde Park, New York (Upstate) Creator of the New Deal Created the NRA Had Polio Declared war on Japan after Pearl Harbor attacks Conducted fireside chats via radio Free Mason

Born: Jan 30, 1882 Death: April 12, 1945 Warm Springs, Georgia 1st Lady: Eleanor Roosevelt

G is for George: George Washington

Commander of the Continental Army 1st President of the U.S. (17891797) Presided over the writing of the Constitution Suppressed rebellions (Whiskey Rebellion in U.S.) Free Mason Virginia farmer

Born: Feb 11, 1731 Death: December 14, 1799 1st Lady: Martha Washington

H is for Harry: Harry Truman

33rd U.S. President (1945-1953) Born in Missouri Was a Missouri farmer for 12 yrs Field artillery Captain in WWI Authorized the drop of the Atomic Bomb over Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end war w/ Japan Began U.S. involvement in the Korean War

Born: May 8, 1884 Death: Dec. 26, 1972 1st Lady: Elizabeth Truman

I is for Ida: Ida McKinley

1st Lady of William McKinley (Term: 1897-1901) From Canton, Ohio Often travelled with the President even when he was assassinated in Buffalo, NY in Sept 1901 Made gifts and crochet for friends. Had epilepsy

Born: June 8, 1847 Death: May 26, 1907 1st Lady of William McKinley

J is for Jane: Jane Pierce

1st Lady of 14th U.S. President Franklin Pierce (1853-1857) Born in Hampton, New Hampshire Daughter of Reverend Jesse Appleton Disliked life in Washington when Franklin was a U.S. Senator, persuaded him to resign Had tuberculosis Served intermittently as hostess of The White House due to depression after a train accident involving her son Ben resulting in death

Born: March 12, 1806 Death: Dec. 2, 1863 1st Lady of Franklin Pierce

K is for Korea: Korean War

Harry Truman committed U.S. forces during the Korean War (1950-1953) N. Korea invaded S. Korea Treatment of U.S. soldiers that were prisoners of war were deplorable. No Peace treaty, only ceasefire, technically the Korean War is still being fought due to lack of a peace treaty Called the Forgotten War

L is for Louisa: Louisa Adams

1st Lady of 6th U.S. President John Quincy Adams (Term: 1825-1829) Only foreign-born 1st Lady. Born in London. Her father was American Consulate in 1790 where she met John Quincy Suffered from bad headaches Detested John Quincys appointment as president.

Born: Feb 12, 1775 Death: May 15, 1852 1st Lady of John Quincy Adams

M is for Millard: Millard Fillmore

13th U.S. President (1850-1853) Born in Moravia, Fingerlakes Region of NYS Assumed presidency after the death of Zachary Taylor Co-founded the University of Buffalo in Upstate NY Opposed Lincoln during the Civil War Resolved conflicts with Britain, Portugal, Mexico, and France during his presidency; kept U.S. out of war
Born: Jan 7, 1800 Death: March 8, 1874 1st Lady: Abigail Fillmore

N is for Nancy: Nancy Reagan

1st Lady of 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) Born in NYC Hollywood Actress in the 40s & 50s. Founded Just Say No anti-drug campaign Sought private donations to renovate The White House Added glamour back to White House social functions as Hostess

Born: July 6, 1921 1st Lady and widow of Ronald Reagan

O is for Oppression
Great Britain imposed great hardships on the American colonies to include but not limited to:
Taxation w/out representation Quartering of British Troops

Patriots such as John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and many others claimed through acts of tyranny, the British monarchy lost its legitimacy to govern the colonies. The Declaration of Independence and subsequent American Revolution remedied the wrongs committed by the British government

King George III, King of GB Born: June 4, 1738 Death: Jan. 29, 1820

P is for Patricia: Patricia Nixon

1st Lady of 37th President, Richard Nixon (1969-1974) Born in Nevada Oversaw collection of 600 pieces of historic art for The White House First 1st Lady to enter a combat zone (Vietnam) Promoted volunteering Supported organizations to improve the welfare of children with handicaps

Born: March 16, 1912 Death: June 22, 1993 1st Lady of Richard Nixon

Q is for Quarrel
Young America once again struggles for its right to exist in the world by declaring war once again on Great Britain under the rule of George III. War began due to British ships seizing American sailors in international waters among many other reasons. Andrew Jackson, 7th U.S. President (18271829) was an Army General that fought successfully with dysentary amongst other ailments at the Battle of New Orleans; beating the British back after the war had officially ended. Jacksons nickname was Old Hickory due to his personality and ruggedness displayed at that battle of New Orleans.

Born: March 15, 1767 Death: June 8, 1845 1st Lady Rachel Jackson

R is for Robert: Robert E. Lee

Commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the Civil War Distinguished graduate of West Point 32 year career as an officer in the Union Army until his resignation in order to join the Confederacy in response to his loyalty to the state of Virginia. Became president of Washington College in Lexington Virginia
Born: Jan. 19, 1807 Death: Oct. 12, 1870 1st Lady: Mary Anna Lee

S is for Sarah: Sarah Polk

1st Lady of the 11th U.S. President James Polk Born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to a farmer Enjoyed Washington social duties as a senators wife Supported the Confederacy during the Civil War Longest retired and widowed 1st lady. After her husbands death, she wore black until her own demise 42 years later

Born: Sept. 4, 1803 Death: Aug. 14, 1891 1st Lady of James Polk

T is for Teddy: Teddy Roosevelt

26th U.S. President (1901-1909) Assumed presidency after William McKinleys assassination Promoted the building of the Panama Canal First American to win the Nobel Peace Prize Contracted Malaria on safari in South America Continued speaking to a crowd as president after being shot in an assassination attempt. NY Toy maker coins Teddy Bear in honor of Theodore Roosevelt after Roosevelt went hunting in Mississippi

Born: Oct. 27, 1858 Death: Jan. 6, 1919 1st Lady: Edith Roosevelt

U is for Ulysses: Ulysses Grant

Commanding General of the Union Army, Civil War and Reconstruction Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse ending the Civil War 18th U.S. President (1869-1877) Term in office shrouded by corruption and tolerance of the same

Born: April 27, 1822 Death: July 23, 1885 1st Lady: Julia Grant

V is for Van Buren: Hannah Van Buren

1st Lady of 8th U.S. President Martin Van Buren Pre-deceased her husbands presidency but still considered a 1st Lady Passed away from Tuberculosis Of Dutch ancestry, maintained the accent of a Dutch woman Married in Catskill, New York

Born: March 8, 1783 Death: Feb. 5, 1819 1st Lady of Martin Van Buren

W is for William: William Henry Harrison

9th U.S. President (March 4,1841 April 4, 1841) 1st President to die in office Oldest President elected until Ronald Reagan Died on 32nd day in office from complications from pneumonia Shortest presidency to date Military hero against Indian forces at Tippecanoe, earned him the nickname of the same

Born: Feb 9, 1773 Death: April 4, 1841 1st Lady: Anna Harrison

XYZ is for XYZ Affair

1798 Secret diplomatic affair between the U.S. and France. (John Adams presidency) France sent three agents labeled X, Y, and Z to the U.S. to demand bribes and other concessions from the U.S. Assisted in the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts

Political cartoon denoting the unpopular XYZ Affair

Y is for Yankee: Yankee Doodle

Song sang by British Soldiers about their Colonial counterparts during the French and Indian War Song is now a patriotic tune Song originally made fun of the colonials because they lacked sophistication. Doodle meant foolish Macaroni was in reference to the Macaroni Whig, a fairly stylish whig during the time these lines were to make fun of colonials foolishness and sense of fashion

Song that British soldiers sang about Colonial soldiers making fun of them. Written by Richard Shuckburgh

Z is for Zachary: Zachary Taylor

Descendant of William Brewster, Mayflower Pilgrim colonist leader and spiritual elder of the Plymouth Colony Received commission in U.S. Army in 1808 by his cousin James Madison. Organized U.S. Dept. of Interior but was signed under Polks administration. Cause of death is not fully established some allege that he was assassinated Taylor collapsed after the ground breaking ceremony for the Washington Monument. Only president to be exhumed (1991) after a family member was convinced that he was poisoned. Tests indicated he had traces of arsenic in his body but not sufficient enough to kill him.

Born: Nov 24, 1784 Death: July 9, 1850 1st Lady: Margaret Taylor

THE END!