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John Adams/1797
When John Adams was inaugurated in 1979, he tried to uphold Washington's policies and Cabinet. When Federalists gained control of both Houses in Congress, Adams had backed the Alien and Sedition Acts. These acts included laws that embodied new powers to deport foreigners and make it harder for new immigrants to vote. -
Thomas Jefferson/1803/Cheif Diplomat
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between the US and France, the US nearly doubling in size, with 827000 acres of new land. The purchase treaty was ratified on Oct 20th, 1803. At the time, Spain had control of Louisiana. But Spain had no power to block the treaty, returned the Louisiana territory to France on Nov 30. The land was officially given to the US Dec 20, taking formal possession Dec 30. -
John Tyler/1842/Legislative Leader
After vetoing two bills to resurrect the national bank, President Tyler vetoed tariff bills. After vetoing the bills concerning a national bank, Tyler was promptly expelled from the Whig Party. After vetoing the bill a second time, all of his Cabinet, with the exception of his Secretary of State, resigned. After vetoing the tariff bill, the House called for his impeachment. -
Chester Arthur/1883/Cheif Executive
Pendleton Act
The Pendleton Act was passed in 1883 by President Chester Arthur, after President James Garfield was assassinated by a political supporter who hadn't been given a federal job. The Pendleton Act, aka the Civil Service Reform Act, put an end to the Spoils System, which had allowed people to be appointed based on their political support, rather than being qualified for the job. This Act made way for the Merit System. -
Harry Truman/1947/Head of State
On November 11, 1947, on Armstice Day, President Harry S. Truman attends a funeral service, dedicated to an Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetary. During this ceremony, President Truman lays a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier during an Armistace Day observance. -
John F. Kennedy/1963/Economic Leader
After the 1958 recession, unemployment was still high, at about 6.8%. Slowly, unemployment fell, but remained around 6%. The Economic Council advised him to battle unemployment with New Deal type spending, but President Kennedy was worried that a large deficit would be unjustifiable. In 1963, the President proposed to cut income taxes from 20-91% to 14-65%, and to cut corporate tax rates from 52% to 47%. -
William Taft/1911/Chief Executive
On May 24, 1911, President William Howard Taft exercised his executive power by making an executive order. This order was Executive Order 1359. Order 1359 states that listed lands of were to be restored to public domain and were to be preserved from entry, sale, or things of that nature. The land is known as Alamo Naitonal Forest. -
Ronald Reagan/1983/Commander in Chief
Ronald Reagan on Lebanon and Grenada
After Grenada's leader, Maurice Bishop, was assassinated, Marxist Bernard Coard, took power. Violence in the Carribean nation escalated as protesters fought the new government. At the time, there were nearly 1000 American citezens in Grenada. President Reagan sent troops to invade and secure the American citezen's safety. Grenada's government was overthrown in a little over a week.
