On the occasion of his birthday, Constitution Daily looks at some unusual facts related to one of the more controversial Presidents, Woodrow Wilson.
Today, the controversy over Wilson involves his legacy at Princeton University, where a debate continues about Wilson’s racial viewpoints during his lifetime. But Wilson was also controversial as Princeton’s president before his sudden rise to the White House. And his eight years in office didn't lack drama.
Here’s a quick look at 10 fascinating facts about the 28th President.
1. Wilson experienced the Civil War in his youth. Born on December 28, 1856 in Virginia, young Thomas Woodrow Wilson was present in Georgia when Union troops entered his town and his mother tended to wounded Confederate soldiers.
2. As a child, Wilson saw Robert E. Lee. Young 13-year-old “Tommy” Wilson and his father were at a procession in Augusta, and the future president stood next to General Lee at the event.
3. Wilson did eventually attend Princeton as a student.After a brief time at Davidson College, Wilson would up in New Jersey at Princeton, where he graduated 38th in his class of 167 students.
4. Wilson was a professional historian and political scientist. After a brief law career, Wilson settled into an academic career that lasted until 1910. He was a professor at other schools, and then returned to Princeton, where he was named president in 1902.
5. Wilson only had a little over two years of political experience when he became President of the United States. After his Princeton career, Wilson won election as New Jersey’s governor in 1910, and just two years later, he was in the White House.
6. The 1912 election wasn’t a popular landslide. Wilson won easily in the Electoral College against the divided William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt factions, but his 42 percent popular vote total was the third-lowest winning tally in history.
7. Wilson put the first Jewish justice on the Supreme Court. In 1916, the President pushed for Louis Brandeis to be named to the high court against fierce opposition. In the end, Wilson prevailed.
8. Wilson’s health problems led to constitutional change. The frail Wilson had a history of health issues, but stress related to promoting the League of Nations led to a series of strokes in 1919. The partially incapacitated Wilson remained in office until 1921. Eventually, the 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, allowed for constitutional measures to deal with temporary or permanent incapacity of the President in office.
9. Wilson made the first live remote national radio broadcast. In November 1923, shortly before his death, Wilson spoke to a national audience just before Armistice Day from his Washington, D.C. home. The next day, 20,000 people showed up at his house to hear a few more words from the former President.
10. Wilson is the only U.S. President buried in Washington, D.C. The 28th President is in a sarcophagus at the Washington National Cathedral. William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy are interred at Arlington, Virginia.
As an avid historian and political enthusiast, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the intriguing facts surrounding the 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson. My understanding of historical events and political nuances allows me to delve into the details and provide a comprehensive overview of the key concepts mentioned in the provided article.
Woodrow Wilson's early life was marked by significant exposure to the Civil War, experiencing it firsthand as a youth in Virginia. This formative experience, highlighted in the first fact, shaped Wilson's perspectives and understanding of the complex sociopolitical landscape of his time. The article underscores the point that Wilson was present in Georgia during the Civil War when Union troops entered his town, offering a glimpse into the historical context of his upbringing.
A noteworthy aspect of Wilson's youth is captured in the second fact, where he encountered the iconic Confederate General Robert E. Lee at the age of 13 during a procession in Augusta. This encounter with a prominent figure of the Civil War era likely influenced Wilson's early perceptions and awareness of the historical events unfolding around him.
Moving forward, the article touches upon Wilson's educational journey, mentioning his enrollment at Princeton after a brief stint at Davidson College. Wilson's academic pursuits are integral to understanding his intellectual foundation, which later manifested in his roles as a professional historian and political scientist, as highlighted in the fourth fact.
The political trajectory of Woodrow Wilson is a central theme in the article, emphasizing his relatively short political experience before ascending to the presidency. From his election as the governor of New Jersey to his rapid transition to the White House, the article notes Wilson's swift rise to power, underscoring this in the fifth fact.
The contentious 1912 election, discussed in the sixth fact, adds another layer to Wilson's political narrative. Despite a less-than-overwhelming popular vote, Wilson emerged victorious in the Electoral College, a testament to the complexities of the political landscape during that period.
Fact number seven delves into Wilson's impact on the composition of the Supreme Court, highlighting his role in appointing the first Jewish justice, Louis Brandeis, in 1916. The President's success in overcoming opposition to this historic appointment reflects his political acumen.
Wilson's health struggles, as outlined in the eighth fact, played a crucial role in shaping constitutional history. The stress-related health issues he faced during his advocacy for the League of Nations ultimately contributed to the development and ratification of the 25th Amendment in 1967.
The ninth fact underscores Wilson's pioneering role in communication, specifically in making the first live remote national radio broadcast in 1923. This technological milestone showcased Wilson's ability to adapt to emerging mediums for reaching the American public.
Finally, the article touches on Wilson's lasting legacy, noting that he is the only U.S. President buried in Washington, D.C., specifically at the Washington National Cathedral. This fact adds a poignant dimension to Wilson's place in American history, symbolized by his resting place.
In conclusion, my expertise in history and politics allows me to navigate the intricate details of Woodrow Wilson's life, offering insights into the historical context, political dynamics, and constitutional developments mentioned in the provided article.
