Fact #1

Taylor never attended college, having been taught by a number of tutors. He joined the military and served from 1808-1848 when he became president.

Fact #2

Participated in the War of 1812

Taylor was part of the defense of Fort Harrison in Indiana during the War of 1812. During the war, he attained the rank of major. After the war he was soon promoted up to the rank of colonel.

Fact #3

In 1832, Taylor saw action in the Black Hawk War. Chief Black Hawk led Sauk and Fox Indians in the Indiana Territory against the US Army.

Fact #4

Taylor became a war hero during the Mexican War. This started as a border dispute between Mexico and Texas. General Taylor was sent by President James K. Polk in 1846 to protect the border at the Rio Grande. However, Mexican troops attacked, and Taylor defeated them despite have fewer men. This action led to a declaration of war. Despite successfully attacking the city of Monterrey, Taylor gave the Mexicans a two-month armistice which upset president Polk. Taylor led US forces at the Battle of Buena Vista, defeating Mexican general Santa Anna's 15,000 troops with 4,600. Taylor used his success at this battle as part of his campaign for the presidency in 1848.

Fact #5

In 1848, the Whig Party nominated Taylor to be president without his knowledge or presence at the nominating convention. They sent him notification of the nomination without postage paid so he had to pay for the letter that told him that he was their nominee. He refused to pay the postage and did not find out about the nomination for weeks.

Fact #6

The main issue of the 1848 election was whether the new territories gained in the Mexican War would be free or slave. Although Taylor had slaves himself, he did not state a position during the election. Because of this stance and the fact that he slaves, he garnered the pro-slavery vote while the anti-slavery vote was divided between candidates for the Free Soil Party and the Democratic Party.

Fact #7

The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty was an agreement between the US and Great Britain related to the status of canals and colonization in Central America that passed while Taylor was president. Both sides agreed that all canals would be neutral and neither side would colonize Central America.

Fact #8

Zachary Taylor's family could trace their roots directly to the Mayflower and William Brewster. Brewster was a key separatist leader and preacher in the Plymouth Colony. Taylor's father had served in the American Revolution.