Johnson, Andrew

1808 - Born on December 29th in Raleigh, North Carolina. The 17th president of the United States, who took office upon the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln during the closing months of the American Civil War.

1826 - When he had just turned 17, having broken his indenture, he and his family moved to Greeneville, Tennessee. Johnson opened his own tailor shop, which bore the simple sign “A. Johnson, tailor”.

1827 - Married to  Eliza McCardle on May 17th. At 18 years old, he married 16-year-old Eliza McCardle (Eliza Johnson), whose father was a shoemaker.

1828 - The alderman of Greeneville, Tennessee.

1830 - Elected mayor of Greeneville, Tennessee.

1835 - Was a member of Tennessee house of representatives.

         - Before he was 21, he organized a workingman's party that elected him first an alderman and then mayor of Greeneville. During his eight years in the state legislature, he found a natural home in the states' rights Democratic Party of Andrew Jackson and emerged as the spokesman for mountaineers and small farmers against the interests of the landed classes.  

1841 - Was a member of Tennessee senate.

1843 - Representative from Tennessee.

1853 - The governor of Tennessee.

1857 - Senator from Tennessee.

1860 - He broke dramatically with the party when, after Lincoln's election, he vehemently opposed Southern secession.

1861 - When Tennessee seceded in June, he alone among the Southern senators remained at his post and refused to join the Confederacy. 

1862 - In recognition of this unwavering support, Lincoln appointed him (May) military governor of Tennessee, by then under federal control.

1864 - Johnson was selected to run for vice president on Lincoln's reelection ticket. His first appearance on the national stage was a fiasco. On Inauguration Day he imbibed more whiskey than he should have to counter the effects of a recent illness, and as he swayed on his feet and stumbled over his words, he embarrassed his colleagues in the administration and dismayed onlookers.  

1865 - He was appointed as the vice-president of United States.

         - He was the 17th president of United States.

         - He attempted to pursue lenient Reconstruction policies as envisioned by Abraham Lincoln, but largely prevented by opposition of radical Republicans in Congress.

1868 - He was impeached by 126-47 House vote, on eleven articles of impeachment including dismissal of Edwin Stanton in violation of Tenure of Office Act (1st US president to be impeached), but narrowly acquitted in Senate by 35-19 vote on each of three articles (other articles dropped).

1875 - Died on July 31st in Carter's Station, Tennessee.

• "Our government sprang from and was made for the people -- not the people for the government. To them it owes an allegiance; from them it must derive its courage, strength, and wisdom."