William Howard Taft

Profession: 27th US President

Nationality:

Political Party: Republican
Political Titles: United States Secretary of War, 1st Provisional Governor of Cuba, 1st Provisional Governor of Philippines, United States Solicitor General

Presidential Term: March 4, 1909 - March 4, 1913
Preceded By: Theodore Roosevelt
Succeeded By: Woodrow Wilson

Biography: The chosen successor of Theodore Roosevelt, Taft became president in 1908, having previously served as Secretary of War.

In foreign policy Taft focused primarily on East Asia and Latin America, helping to prop up governments there. Domestically he sought the reduction of trade tariffs and engaged in controversial lawsuits regarding antitrust and conservation.

Much of Taft's presidency was dedicated to dealing with conflicts between his administration and the conservative wing of the Republican Party. While him and Roosevelt had previously been close, these conflicts served to damage the men's relationship, and in 1912 Roosevelt challenged Taft for the renomination, though Taft won. Woodrow Wilson would go on to win the following presidential election.

Born: September 15, 1857
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Star Sign: Virgo

Died: March 8, 1930 (aged 72)
Cause of Death: Cardiovascular disease

Married Life

1886-06-19 US President William Taft (28) weds Helen Herron (25) in Cincinnati, Ohio

Historical Events

1901-07-04 Former US Federal judge William Howard Taft is installed as the 1st Governor-General of the Philippines, declares an amnesty for all insurgents who take an oath of allegiance
1904-02-01 Elihu Root, then Secretary of War, resigns from the cabinet of President William McKinley and is succeeded by William Howard Taft
1905-07-29 US Secretary of War William Howard Taft makes secret agreement with Japanese Prime Minister Katsura agreeing to Japanese free rein in Korea in return for non-interference with the US in the Philippines
1908-06-16 The Republican Party convenes in Chicago where President Theodore Roosevelt picks William Howard Taft as his successor
1908-11-03 William Howard Taft (R) elected 27th U.S. President over William Jennings Bryan (D)
1909-03-04 William Howard Taft inaugrated as 27th US President during 10" snowstorm
1909-08-18 Mayor of Tokyo Yukio Ozaki presents Washington, D.C. with 2,000 cherry trees, which President William Howard Taft decides to plant near the Potomac River.
1909-09-27 US President William Howard Taft sets aside some 3 million acres of oil-rich public land (including Teapot Dome, Wyoming) for conservation purposes
1910-04-14 US President William Howard Taft begins tradition of throwing ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day of baseball season
1910-04-15 William Howard Taft is first US President to throw out the 1st ball at a baseball game
1911-05-23 NY Public Library building at 5th Avenue dedicated by President William Howard Taft
1912-06-18 The Chicago national Republican Convention splits between President Taft and Theodore Roosevelt; after Taft is nominated, Roosevelt and progressive elements of the Party form the Progressive Party (also known as the 'Bull Moose Party')
1913-02-16 US President William Howard Taft agrees not to intervene in Mexico
1915-06-17 The League to Enforce Peace is organised at Independence Hall in Philadelphia with William Howard Taft as president; its program anticipates the League of Nations
1922-05-30 Completed Lincoln Memorial dedicated by US Chief Justice William Howard Taft in front of 50,000
1930-02-03 William Howard Taft resigns as US chief justice for health reasons