10 fun and interesting William McKinley facts

1. 25th US President Born Jan. 29

William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was born on January 29, 1843 in Niles, Ohio. He served as President from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. During his presidency, he oversaw the Spanish-American War and the annexation of Hawaii. Sadly, his life was cut short when he was assassinated on September 14, 1901 in Buffalo, New York.

Also → 67-Year-Old William Henry Harrison Elected President

2. 25th President of the United States: William McKinley

William McKinley served as the 25th President of the United States from March 4, 1897 until his assassination by Leon Czolgosz in September 1901, just six months into his second term. Following his death, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him as President. McKinley's assassination marked the third time in American history that a President had been assassinated, and the first since Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

Also → Benjamin Harrison: The 23rd President of the United States

3. A Highly Successful President

William McKinley was a highly successful president, leading the United States to victory in the Spanish–American War and protecting American industry through the implementation of protective tariffs. He also refused to inflate the nation's currency, instead opting to keep the nation on the gold standard. His actions helped to ensure the nation's economic success and prosperity.

Also → Andrew Johnson Becomes President After Lincoln's Assassination

4. "McKinley: 30 yrs of GOP Power."

William McKinley's presidency marked the beginning of a long period of Republican Party dominance, lasting for over thirty years. His assassination tragically cut short his time in office, but his legacy of Republican Party supremacy remains to this day. During his presidency, McKinley was responsible for the passage of the Gold Standard Act, the Dingley Tariff, and the establishment of the US Navy's first modern battleship. He also oversaw the Spanish-American War, which resulted in the US gaining control of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Also → Seven Presidents of the United States were born in Ohio

5. "McKinley: Last President to Serve in Civil War"

William McKinley was the last President to have served in the American Civil War. He began his service as a private in the Union Army and was eventually promoted to the rank of brevet major. His service to the Union was a testament to his patriotism and commitment to the cause of freedom.

Also → John Tyler: First US VP-Turned-President

6. Tariff Scandal & 1890 Defeat

William McKinley's 1890 McKinley Tariff was highly controversial and caused a great deal of scandal. This, combined with the Democratic redistricting of the same year, which was designed to prevent him from being re-elected, ultimately led to his downfall in the Democratic landslide of 1890.

Also → Martin Van Buren, the 8th President of the United States, Passes Away

7. Driving Force Behind Rapid Economic Development

During his presidency, William McKinley was a driving force behind the country's quick economic development. He pushed for the 1897 Dingley Tariff, which was designed to protect American manufacturers and factory workers from foreign competition. In 1900, he also successfully advocated for the passage of the Gold Standard Act, which established gold as the only form of legal tender in the United States. These two initiatives were instrumental in helping the country's economy to grow and flourish.

Also → JFK's Historic Victory

8. McKinley's 1900 Election Win: A Political Milestone

In the 1900 presidential election, William McKinley emerged victorious over his opponent William Jennings Bryan, in a campaign that focused heavily on imperialism, success, and free silver. McKinley's victory was a testament to his strong stance on these issues, and his ability to effectively communicate his message to the American people. His success in the election was a major milestone in his political career, and a defining moment in the history of the United States.

Also → James Madison, Founding Father of the Democratic-Republican Party

9. McKinley's 1896 Victory: A Pivotal Moment in US History

William McKinley's 1896 victory was a pivotal moment in American history, marking the end of the post-Civil War era and the beginning of the Republican-controlled Fourth Party System. This new system, known as the Progressive Era, ushered in a period of reform and progressivism that would shape the nation for decades to come. Historians recognize McKinley's victory as a readjusting election, one that marked a major shift in the political landscape of the United States.

Also → Rutherford Birchard Hayes: 19th President of the United States

10. A Moderate President Remembered For His Leadership

William McKinley is often considered to be a middle-of-the-road president, ranking somewhere in the middle of the pack when compared to other American presidents. His legacy is seen as a moderate one, with his accomplishments and failures falling somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. He is remembered for his foreign policy successes, such as the annexation of Hawaii and the Spanish-American War, as well as his domestic policies, such as the Gold Standard and the Dingley Tariff. Despite his moderate record, McKinley is still remembered fondly by many Americans for his leadership and dedication to the country.