Religion: Unitarian Education: Graduated from Yale College (1878); Cincinnati Law School (1880) Occupation: Lawyer, public official Political Party: Republican Other Government Positions:
On April 6, Robert E. Peary reached the North Pole.
On May 17, Taft's wife, Nellie, suffered a stroke. Recovery from the resulting speech impairment lasted a year.
On August 6, signed the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act establishing a Tariff Board and reducing tariffs.
On October 16, Taft and Porfirio Díaz held a summit, a first between a U.S. and Mexican president, and only narrowly escaped assassination.
1910
Congress passed the Mann Act which prohibits the interstate transport of women for "immoral purposes."
1911
The government won antitrust lawsuits against Standard Oil and American Tobacco. In October, the Justice Department brought suit against U.S. Steel for antitrust violations.
1912
Mrs. Taft planted the first of the cherry trees in Washington, D.C.
On April 15, Taft's military aide, Archie Butt, perished on the Titanic.
On June 18, Taft defeated Theodore Roosevelt for the Republican party nomination. Roosevelt ran against the sitting president as a member of the Progressive party.
On August 24, signed the Panama Canal Act, which exempts American shipping from paying tolls.
From the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, in addition to information on the Presidents themselves, they have first lady and cabinet member biographies, listings of presidential staff and advisers, and timelines detailing significant events in the lives of each administration.
The Cincinnati, Ohio birthplace and childhood home of Taft. Tourist information is available.
Points of Interest:
Arlington National Cemetery
Schley Dr, Arlington, VA 22204
2038 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Additional Facts:
On April 14, 1910, Taft was the first president to throw out the first pitch of the baseball season.
Taft was the first president to own a car. He converted the White House stables into a garage.
Taft was the last president to keep a cow at the White House for fresh milk.
At over 340 pounds, Taft was the heaviest president. Rumor has it he got stuck in the White House bath tub and required six aides to pull him free. It turns out the rumor is false.
Pres. Taft Stuck in a Bathtub Myth - a Presidential Story Ep. 42