Chester A. Arthur – 10 Interesting Facts About the Forgotten President
Chester A. Arthur was the 21st President of the United States.
Arthur served as president from 1881 to 1885.
He was born on October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont.
Arthur was the first president to take the oath of office with a Bible owned by his father.
He became president after the assassination of James A. Garfield.
Arthur was known for his impeccable fashion sense, often wearing extravagant suits.
He was nicknamed the Gentleman Boss due to his elegance and refined demeanor.
Despite being a lawyer by profession, Arthur made a career in politics.
He was instrumental in passing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act to combat political corruption.
Arthur was a strong advocate for civil rights, particularly for African Americans.
He was the first president to advocate for the rights of Chinese immigrants.
Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which limited immigration from China for ten years.
He modernized the United States Navy by strengthening its fleet and introducing new naval technology.
Arthur championed a higher standard of living for the working class by supporting labor unions and workers’ rights.
He signed the Immigration Act of 1882, which levied a tax on immigrants to fund public programs.
Arthur was known for his love of cigars and often smoked in the White House.
He initiated a major renovation of the White House, modernizing its infrastructure.
Arthur was the first president to visit Yellowstone National Park.
He was an avid reader and accumulated a vast personal library during his lifetime.
Arthur suffered from kidney disease during his presidency, which significantly affected his health.
He established the United States Civil Service Commission to oversee federal employment practices.
Arthur was a strong supporter of women’s suffrage and advocated for their right to vote.
He vetoed the Rivers and Harbors Act, which would have provided federal funding for unnecessary projects.
Arthur authorized the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, a significant engineering feat of its time.
He promoted American manufacturing and advocated for protective tariffs on imported goods.
Arthur’s administration saw a period of economic growth and prosperity known as the Gilded Age.
He believed in an active role for the United States in international affairs.
Arthur advocated for the modernization of the American infrastructure, including the expansion of railroads.
He worked to strengthen diplomatic relationships with Latin American countries.
Arthur supported the temperance movement and worked towards implementing alcohol regulations.
He pardoned the Irish-American activist, John W. Hinckley, who attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria.
Arthur’s face appeared on the ten-dollar bill during his presidency.
He was a strong advocate for the separation of church and state.
Arthur established the United States Weather Bureau, which later became the National Weather Service.
He was posthumously inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his support of the sport.
Arthur was the first president to have his inauguration photographed.
He implemented various reforms to improve the management and efficiency of the federal government.
Arthur’s presidency marked a shift towards a more centralized and powerful executive branch.
He worked to reduce government corruption by appointing individuals based on merit, not political connections.
Arthur was the second president to be born in Vermont, following Calvin Coolidge.
He was a skilled orator and often delivered powerful speeches to promote his policies.
Arthur’s presidency saw the construction of the Washington Monument, dedicated to George Washington.
He advocated for the preservation and conservation of natural resources, supporting the establishment of national parks.
Arthur’s favorite hobby was collecting stamps, and he had an extensive stamp collection.
He is buried in Albany Rural Cemetery, New York.