One of America’s founding fathers and the 4th president of the United States, James Madison was nicknamed the “father of the constitution” and held office from 1809 to 1817. Madison attended Princeton University and was an excellent student. He acquired his degree in only two years, after which he stayed on for a year to study with the university president, making him Princeton’s first graduate student.
Madison was well known for his amazing leadership, he committed America to the War of 1812, strengthened the government, established a professional military, and founded the national bank. His wife Dolly also helped define the role of the first lady. She is known for redecorating the White House and setting up outreach programs for orphans and served as a role model for the first ladies that followed.
Andrew Jackson
If you feel like Andrew Jackson’s face looks familiar, you are right, we see the former presidents face quite frequently, on the $20 bill. Jackson, America’s 7th president, was in office between 1829 and 1837. Ironically, he was adamantly against the use of paper money and believed gold and silver coins should be used instead.
He was held captive by the British at the tender age of 13 during the Revolutionary War, making him the only US president who ever spent time as a prisoner of war. Jackson is also known for keeping South Carolina from seceding from the Union and is the only American president to have ever paid off the national debt – in its entirety.
Andrew Jackson’s Wild Inauguration Party
Andrew Jackson famously knew how to get along with people, making each person he talked to feel like they had a special connection. The American public also felt this special connection. When the inauguration speech was completed, Jackson and his companions went on to an executive mansion for what was supposed to be an intimate gathering.
A huge crowd of supports of all ages and all walks of life followed them and crashed the reception. The crowd drank copiously, looted the kitchen and left dirt on the floors and carpets. They finally got them to leave only by removing the liquor from the premises.
Madison’s Financial Problems
Although it is common knowledge that James Madison was a good president, his financial state after leaving office was often precarious.
He was frequently in debt and had a hard time making a profit from his plantation due to bad weather and low market prices. His stepson exacerbated the problem by wasting the family’s money on gambling and alcohol.
William McKinley Jr.
William McKinley Jr., the 25th president of the United States, held office in the years 1897 to 1901. He is remembered for leading the country to victory in the Spanish-American War. A conflict that ended with the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico all becoming US territories.
In addition to being a bold statesman, McKinley believed in promoting American prosperity and was in charge of numerous measures to strengthen the US economy. Unfortunately, he did not champion equal justice for all citizens.