Zachary Taylor #12

The 5th Graders have been working on a huge project to study presidents. Allie loved each step of it. They did research, made posters, made trivia boxes, wrote reports, a made timelines, gave speeches, made busts out of clay and yesterday they dressed up and presented their projects to the school. They even had a taste testing party where they tasted the presidents' favorite foods. Allie got to study Zachary Taylor-#12. Did you know that he never voted? Even for himself. He was so busy in the army he never voted.



Allie said the funniest thing while we were trimming and superglueing her wig look more like Zachary Taylor. It wasn't going as planning and she got a little upset. I tried to calm her down and thought she was upset because she was nervous that she looked silly. But she was worried about being authentic. She said, "But Mom! I look like James Monroe!" Haha! I told her most people wouldn't know what James Monroe looked like so she would probably be okay.

Allie's speech that she gave (in character!) 

ATTENTION!

 Soldiers, welcome to the U.S. Army. Let me introduce myself. I am Zachary Taylor, brigadier general and the 12^th president of the United States of America.

    I was one of the few presidents born in a log cabin. Shortly after my birth, my mother and father, my 5 siblings and I moved from Virginia to Kentucky. Many years later, in 1809, I married Margret Mackall Smith. During our 40+ years of marriage, we had 6 kids.

    I only had two jobs before I became commander in chief of our country. I was a farmer and a soldier. As a war hero, I got so much mail, I told the postmaster to just return all letters marked “postage due.” During my life as a soldier, I also earned the nickname, “Old Rough and Ready.” I earned this name because I was always ready to go into battle.

      My faithful horse, Old Whitey, served by my side for many years. When I was elected, I kept him on the White House lawn. But all the pesky tourists tormented him by plucking his tail hairs for souvenirs. Finally, I built a stable for him, so he could escape the plucking. During my presidency, I did not accomplish many things. Maybe it was because I was better at being a soldier. Perhaps it was my short term.  My main accomplishment was signing a treaty with Great Britain to smooth out our relationship. Nevertheless, I devoted myself to the interest of the people.  

I did not last long as president. On July 9^th, 1850, I died of a heat stroke and food poisoning. I had only served 16 months.  Before I died I said, “I have always done my duty. I am ready to die. My only regret is for the friends I leave behind me. SOLIDERS DISMISSED!