Milliard Fillmore born January 7, 1800

[Jack Rabbit]

Our 13th President

• The last Whig to serve as president (1850-53)
• The last Whig to run for president (1856)
• Patron saint of mediocrity (which means he was a better president than G. W. Bush)

Official Presidential Portrait from
WhiteHouse.gov

• Like G. W. Bush, he was never elected president, but as Vice President succeeded to the office on the death of President Taylor in July 1850
• Signed into law the five bills that comprised the Compromise of 1850

The good news: California became a state

The bad news: The Fugitive Slave Act, one of the worst pieces of legislation passed by Congress before the Military Commissions Act, became law.

Like many politicians then and now, Fillmore tried to have it both ways on issues, even when they couldn't go both ways (like slavery then or defending the Constitution from imperial presidents now).

Let's Sing "Happy Birthday" to Our 13th Presdient
(Everybody in a different key)

[Captain Hilts]

1. Hey - he did something important - he banned flogging in the Navy. GWB has done no such good. nt

[rockymountaindem]

2. Interesting fact: he was also the only President named Millard

Bet you didn't know that!

[tblue]

3. And he has a r/w wacko comic strip almost named after him!

I didn't know any of this about our friend Millard. Quite colorful, I guess. Nice job on the slave thing. I wish Obama would turn that WH portrait upside down! Maybe Michelle will do it.

[On the Road]

4. That Hair Certainly Looks Like a "Whig"

and I'm glad it was the last one.

[Retrograde]

5. And who can forget his last words

"The nourishment is palatable".

I have a soft spot in my heart for him because he lived down the street from my sister. OK, it was over a hundred years before she was born, but it was still one of the big attractions of the town. And it's a cute little house.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Oh, yes. Thank you for reminding us: the first president to be born in a log cabin

Please click here.

[nini]

7. I found out I was related to him while doing ancestry research

LOL

[jberryhill]

8. There should be a drink named after him /nt

[Danger Mouse]

9. The Fugitive Slave Act is worse than the Military Commissions Act.

[Condem]

10. He was no James Buchanan, Jack Rabbit

Now, there was a president.

[Jack Rabbit]

11. No, Fillmore is mediocre

As president, Buchanan never rose to that level. Just like Bush the Frat Boy.

[DevonRex]

12. Is this a safe thread to be in?