So how many of you know who our thirteenth president was?  Anyone?  I have to admit that I did not, but he is featured above.  And on this date in 1850, Millard Fillmore was inaugurated, thus becoming our thirteenth president.  He had a very typical American story.  He came from “log cabin” roots, farmed for his father, and apprenticed under a cloth dresser.   In 1823, he was admitted to the bar, and seven years later his law practice was moved to New York.  He was a member of the House of Representatives for eight years, and 1848, he was elected to be Vice-President under Zachary Taylor.

So how did he become president?  Well, this barely educated Whig (he only had six months of grade school education) was sworn in upon the death of President Taylor.  Due to his political persuasion, there was quite an upheaval within his administration.  He saw to it that the Compromise of 1850 was passed in August (which admitted California to the Union amongst other things).  He completed the term, but the Whig party did not nominate him for president again.   I find it interesting that when his political party fell apart in the 1850’s, he refused to join the Republican Party.  So in 1856, he ran for president again under the anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant party called the Know-Nothing Party.  He did not win, but he received 21.6% of the popular vote which is one of the best showings for a third-party candidate.  He was outspoken in his opposition of President Lincoln during the Civil War.

For more information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millard_Fillmore

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/millardfillmore/

http://theweek.com/article/index/246618/today-in-history-july-10

http://millercenter.org/president/fillmore

http://www.biography.com/people/millard-fillmore-9295008?page=2

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