Timeline Description: William Howard Taft was the 27th American president. He was the only president to serve both as president and also as a Chief Justice of the United States. He served one term in the White House.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1857 | William Taft's birth William was in a long line of presidents who were born in Ohio. He came from a powerful family, including his father who served as Secretary of War under President Ulysses S. Grant. |
| 1878 | Yale College William attended Woodward High School and later Yale College. He graduated second in his class before moving on to law school. |
| 1882 | Career Beginnings Taft began his career as Assistant Prosecutor of Hamlin County. In 1882 he was appointed local Collector of Internal Revenue. |
| 1886 | Marriage Taft's life continued its course when he married Helen Herron. They had been long-time sweethearts. |
| 1887 | Supreme Court Taft's road to success seemed to move at a quick pace. He was appointed a Supreme Court Judge of Cincinnati before moving on the Solicitor General of the United States under President Harrison. |
| 1900 | Work in the Philippines Taft began work in the Philippines under President McKinley. His work continued when he was appointed Governor-General of the Philippines. |
| 1904 | Secretary of War President Roosevelt appointed Taft to Secretary of War. They had an agreement that would advance both of their careers in the presidency and the Supreme Court. |
| 1906 | Tensions with Cuba Rumors of war spread across the world as Japan, Russia, and even Cuba worked through problem. The US stepped in and occupied Cuba, and Taft became the temporary governor of Cuba. |
| 1908 | Presidential Election Taft was firm in his desire to work toward the US Supreme Court. However, President Roosevelt insisted he would make a fine president, and he won the nomination. |
| 1909 | President! President Taft began his first term without and fanfare. In fact, the press often complained that he didn't appear often enough for them to interview. |
| 1912 | Chamber of Commerce After fighting over tariffs and going to battle with the big railroad companies, President Taft decided to create a way to aid business as well as the country. He created the Chamber of Commerce. |
| 1913 | The Sixteenth Amendment With continuing issues regarding taxes and big business, President Taft worked into the law the sixteenth amendment. It charged a tax new tax on large corporations. |
| 1913 | A second term for president President Taft ran for a second term as president. However, the enemies he had made while in the White House worked against him, and he was badly defeated. |
| 1921 | US Supreme Court Eight years after leaving the White House, Taft was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Harding. It had always been Taft's dream, and he accepted readily. |
| 1930 | Taft's death Taft retired from the Supreme Court in February. In March, he passed away. |