Loading Events

« All Events

17th president Andrew Johnson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina

December 29

|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 29 of December, repeating indefinitely

On this day in 1808, 17th president Andrew Johnson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. The successor to Lincoln, Johnson had huge shoes to fill, wrestling with Reconstruction in a nation still heavily divided. Johnson was at odds with his “Radical Republican” Congress, who condemned his policies as too lenient to the South. This tension soon led to impeachment proceedings, but Johnson was acquitted.

Did you know? Johnson grew up very poor and never went to school. His wife, Eliza, tutored him in math and helped him to improve his basic reading and writing skills.

As states began seceding at the start of the Civil War, Johnson was the only senator from the South to remain loyal to the Union. Though he didn’t oppose slavery, he was strongly against secession.

Details

Date:
December 29
Event Category: