Chester A. Arthur Timeline
Chester A. Arthur by People
Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States, served from 1881 to 1885 after the assassination of President James Garfield. Before his presidency, Arthur was a lawyer and a politician in New York, and he became Vice President under Garfield. As President, Arthur is best known for reforming the federal government's civil service, making jobs about merit rather than political connections. This was a big change, as it helped to reduce corruption and improve the efficiency of the government. Arthur's presidency had a lasting impact on the way the U.S. government operates today.
October 5, 1829
Birth of the Future President in Fairfield, Vermont
Born in a small Vermont town, this future leader was the son of a Baptist preacher. His early life was simple, but it prepared him for the challenges he would face as a president. His birth marked the start of a journey that would lead him to the White House.
September 1, 1845
Beginning of Education at Union College, Schenectady, New York
This was a significant step in Arthur's life as Union College was a prestigious institution known for producing future leaders. Here, he studied classical subjects like Latin and Greek, and also developed skills in debate and public speaking. This education laid the foundation for his future political career.
Year 1848
Graduation from Union College and Start of Teaching Career
After finishing his studies, he began his professional journey as an educator. He taught at a Vermont school, using his knowledge to shape young minds. This was an important step in his life, setting the foundation for his future political career.
Year 1854
Arthur becomes a lawyer
After studying law, he passed his bar exam, a tough test for future lawyers. This allowed him to start his career in law, where he fought for people's rights. His legal work laid the foundation for his future in politics.
Year 1854
Start of Law Career after Studying at State and National Law School
After studying at State and National Law School, he began his legal career. He worked on several important cases, many of which focused on civil rights. This experience helped shape his future political career.
October 25, 1856
Marriage to Ellen Lewis Herndon
The marriage was a significant event in the life of the future president. Ellen Lewis Herndon, known as "Nell", was a well-educated woman from a prominent Virginia family. Their union, which produced three children, lasted until Nell's untimely death in 1880.
October 25, 1859
Marriage to Ellen Lewis Herndon
The future president tied the knot with Ellen Lewis Herndon, a Virginia native with a strong musical talent. Their wedding was a grand affair, held at Calvary Episcopal Church in New York City. Ellen, known as "Nell," would later play a significant role in Arthur's political career.
Year 1862
Appointment as Quartermaster General of New York State Militia
This appointment marked a significant step in his career. As Quartermaster General, he was responsible for supplying the New York State Militia with necessary equipment and provisions. His role was crucial during the Civil War, ensuring troops were well-equipped for battle.
Year 1871
Appointed as the Collector of the Port of New York
This appointment was a significant role, overseeing one of the nation's busiest ports. It involved managing customs duties, a major source of government revenue at the time. Despite the position's potential for corruption, he was known for his integrity and efficiency.
Year 1871
Appointment as Collector of the Port of New York
This appointment was a big deal because the Port of New York was a major source of federal revenue. The role involved overseeing the collection of import duties - taxes on goods coming into the country. It was a powerful position, often involved in political maneuvering and patronage.
June 2, 1880
Nominated as Vice President under James Garfield
The nomination was a surprise, as he was not a well-known figure nationally. Despite this, he was chosen due to his strong ties with the Republican Party's powerful Stalwart faction. His nomination marked a significant moment in his political career.
June 8, 1880
Nomination as Vice President on the Republican Ticket
This event marked a significant step in his political career. He was chosen as a running mate for James A. Garfield, the Republican presidential candidate. Their ticket won, but after Garfield's assassination, he became the 21st President.
July 2, 1881
Becomes President after the assassination of President Garfield
After President Garfield was tragically killed, his Vice President had to step up. This man was known for his impressive whiskers and his dedication to reforming government jobs. Suddenly, he found himself in the most important job in the country. It was a tough time, but he was ready to lead.
September 19, 1881
Assumption of Presidency after the Assassination of President James Garfield
After President James Garfield was tragically killed, the Vice President had to step up. He was thrust into the role of leading the nation, a job he hadn't expected. This was a critical moment in U.S. history, showing the importance of the Vice President's role.
September 22, 1881
Signs the first general federal immigration law
This law marked a significant shift in U.S. policy, as it was the first time the federal government took on the responsibility of regulating immigration. It mainly targeted people considered "undesirable," such as criminals or those likely to become public charges. This event set the stage for future immigration laws and debates in the country.
December 6, 1881
Enforcement of Civil Service Reform with the Pendleton Act
The Pendleton Act was a major step towards ensuring jobs in the government were given based on merit, not political connections. It created a system where applicants for many federal jobs had to take an exam. This was a big change, moving away from the "spoils system" where the winning political party gave jobs to its supporters.
May 6, 1882
Veto of the Chinese Exclusion Act
The veto was a response to a law that aimed to stop Chinese laborers from coming to America for 10 years. The President believed it violated a treaty with China. However, Congress overrode the veto, making it the first law to restrict immigration based on race and nationality.
March 3, 1883
Signs the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act
This act marked a major step towards ensuring jobs in the federal government were awarded based on merit, not political connections. It was a response to the public outcry after President James Garfield was assassinated by a disappointed office-seeker. This law is seen as a cornerstone in the fight against political corruption.
June 3, 1884
Failure to Secure Nomination for a Full Presidential Term
Despite his efforts, the 21st U.S. leader didn't win his party's support for a full term. His health issues and the political climate within the Republican Party played a role in this. This was a rare instance where a sitting president was denied his party's nomination.
June 6, 1884
Loses the nomination for a second term at the Republican National Convention
The 1884 Republican National Convention saw our 21st president fail to secure his party's nomination for re-election. This was largely due to political infighting and his association with the controversial "spoils system". Instead, James G. Blaine was chosen as the Republican candidate.
November 18, 1886
Death in New York City from Cerebral Hemorrhage
This U.S. leader passed away in New York City due to a cerebral hemorrhage, a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain. His health had been declining for some time. His passing marked the end of an era in American politics.
Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States, served from 1881 to 1885 after the assassination of President James Garfield. Before his presidency, Arthur was a lawyer and a politician in New York, and he became Vice President under Garfield. As President, Arthur is best known for reforming the federal government's civil service, making jobs about merit rather than political connections. This was a big change, as it helped to reduce corruption and improve the efficiency of the government. Arthur's presidency had a lasting impact on the way the U.S. government operates today.
Born in a small Vermont town, this future leader was the son of a Baptist preacher. His early life was simple, but it prepared him for the challenges he would face as a president. His birth marked the start of a journey that would lead him to the White House.
This was a significant step in Arthur's life as Union College was a prestigious institution known for producing future leaders. Here, he studied classical subjects like Latin and Greek, and also developed skills in debate and public speaking. This education laid the foundation for his future political career.
After finishing his studies, he began his professional journey as an educator. He taught at a Vermont school, using his knowledge to shape young minds. This was an important step in his life, setting the foundation for his future political career.
After studying law, he passed his bar exam, a tough test for future lawyers. This allowed him to start his career in law, where he fought for people's rights. His legal work laid the foundation for his future in politics.
After studying at State and National Law School, he began his legal career. He worked on several important cases, many of which focused on civil rights. This experience helped shape his future political career.
The marriage was a significant event in the life of the future president. Ellen Lewis Herndon, known as "Nell", was a well-educated woman from a prominent Virginia family. Their union, which produced three children, lasted until Nell's untimely death in 1880.
The future president tied the knot with Ellen Lewis Herndon, a Virginia native with a strong musical talent. Their wedding was a grand affair, held at Calvary Episcopal Church in New York City. Ellen, known as "Nell," would later play a significant role in Arthur's political career.
This appointment marked a significant step in his career. As Quartermaster General, he was responsible for supplying the New York State Militia with necessary equipment and provisions. His role was crucial during the Civil War, ensuring troops were well-equipped for battle.
This appointment was a significant role, overseeing one of the nation's busiest ports. It involved managing customs duties, a major source of government revenue at the time. Despite the position's potential for corruption, he was known for his integrity and efficiency.
This appointment was a big deal because the Port of New York was a major source of federal revenue. The role involved overseeing the collection of import duties - taxes on goods coming into the country. It was a powerful position, often involved in political maneuvering and patronage.
The nomination was a surprise, as he was not a well-known figure nationally. Despite this, he was chosen due to his strong ties with the Republican Party's powerful Stalwart faction. His nomination marked a significant moment in his political career.
This event marked a significant step in his political career. He was chosen as a running mate for James A. Garfield, the Republican presidential candidate. Their ticket won, but after Garfield's assassination, he became the 21st President.
After President Garfield was tragically killed, his Vice President had to step up. This man was known for his impressive whiskers and his dedication to reforming government jobs. Suddenly, he found himself in the most important job in the country. It was a tough time, but he was ready to lead.
After President James Garfield was tragically killed, the Vice President had to step up. He was thrust into the role of leading the nation, a job he hadn't expected. This was a critical moment in U.S. history, showing the importance of the Vice President's role.
This law marked a significant shift in U.S. policy, as it was the first time the federal government took on the responsibility of regulating immigration. It mainly targeted people considered "undesirable," such as criminals or those likely to become public charges. This event set the stage for future immigration laws and debates in the country.
The Pendleton Act was a major step towards ensuring jobs in the government were given based on merit, not political connections. It created a system where applicants for many federal jobs had to take an exam. This was a big change, moving away from the "spoils system" where the winning political party gave jobs to its supporters.
The veto was a response to a law that aimed to stop Chinese laborers from coming to America for 10 years. The President believed it violated a treaty with China. However, Congress overrode the veto, making it the first law to restrict immigration based on race and nationality.
This act marked a major step towards ensuring jobs in the federal government were awarded based on merit, not political connections. It was a response to the public outcry after President James Garfield was assassinated by a disappointed office-seeker. This law is seen as a cornerstone in the fight against political corruption.
Despite his efforts, the 21st U.S. leader didn't win his party's support for a full term. His health issues and the political climate within the Republican Party played a role in this. This was a rare instance where a sitting president was denied his party's nomination.
The 1884 Republican National Convention saw our 21st president fail to secure his party's nomination for re-election. This was largely due to political infighting and his association with the controversial "spoils system". Instead, James G. Blaine was chosen as the Republican candidate.
This U.S. leader passed away in New York City due to a cerebral hemorrhage, a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain. His health had been declining for some time. His passing marked the end of an era in American politics.