This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

Why is the continent of Europe like a frying pan?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Ohio-born William Howard Taft becomes the 27th President of the United States following the election of 1908.  He serves one term in office, from 1909-1913.

Here are some interesting facts about William Howard Taft:

• Political Party:  Republican
• Birthplace:  Cincinnati, Ohio
• Colleges Attended:  Yale University, Cincinnati Law School
• LIfespan:  September 15, 1857 to March 8, 1930

Much of Taft’s pre-Presidency life focuses on being involved in the Ohio courts as a judge.  He serves in the Ohio court system before ascending to the U.S. Court of Appeals.  He becomes the only President to serve as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1921-1930).

Taft’s other roles embrace being a lawyer as well as a college professor.  From 1900-1903, he serves as the first civilian governor of the Philippines.  This appointment by President William McKinley follows the American acquisition of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War of 1898.

When Theodore Roosevelt is President, Taft serves as his Secretary of War from 1904-1908.  This position serves as a steppingstone for Taft when he runs for President in 1908.  Roosevelt steps aside as President after two terms as he decides to forego a third term.

Taft’s time as President is relatively undistinguished.  He proves to be more conservative than Roosevelt’s expansive view of Presidential power.  In the election of 1912, Roosevelt attempts take the Republican nomination away from Taft, but he is unsuccessful.

Roosevelt bolts away from the Republican Party to lead the Progressive Party, which is nicknamed the “Bull Moose.”  With the Republican Party split, Democratic Party candidate Woodrow Wilson easily wins the election, and he will go on to serve as President for two terms.

In 1921, Taft fulfills a lifetime dream of serving on the United States Supreme Court.  Ohio-born President Warren Harding taps him to serve as Chief Justice, and Taft serves until his death in 1930.

Because of his large size, Taft earns the nickname of “Big Bill.”  His weight of nearly 300 pounds makes him the largest person to ever serve as President.

From top left and moving clockwise: portrait of PRESIDENT taft, portrait of chief justice taft, with theodore roosevelt, taft family home in cincinnati, portrait with Helen taft (his wife), governor-general of the philippines, family portrait with helen and children.  (all images courtesy of PINTEREST)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Because it has Greece at the bottom.