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

Which of the following comes closest to being a factual statement?

A)  Lawyer:  “Our whole political system is corrupt.”

B)  Upholster:  “These are the most comfortable chairs we make.”

C)  Coin collector:  “Fewer than ten of these silver coins were minted in the year 1947.”

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Nicknamed by some as “The Accidental President,”  Millard Fillmore served as the 13th President of the United States (1850-1853).

Here are a few quick facts about President Fillmore:

• Political party:  Whig (he would be the last President from this party)
• Home state:  New York
• Life span:  1800-1874
• Occupation:  teacher and lawyer

As a young mill worker, Fillmore read the dictionary during breaks.  He was primarily self-taught.  His only formal teacher was Abigail Powers, who would later become his wife.  She was instrumental in starting a Presidential Library, which was housed in the White House.

Like Abraham Lincoln, Fillmore rose from his childhood log cabin to reside in the White House.  He also served in Congress as a U.S. Representative from New York state.

Fillmore was a relative political unknown when he was tapped to become Zachary Taylor’s running mate in the election of 1848.  Few could have imagined that he would be called upon to fill Taylor’s shoes as President.  He joined William Tyler as one more Vice President taking the oath of office following the death of the incumbent President.

One of the most significant achievements of the Fillmore’s administration was supporting the Compromise of 1850.  Though opposed to slavery, he valued the preservation of the Union at any cost.  An uneasy peace would remain until the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

left:  fillmore as president.  right:  fillmore home in buffalo, new york.  (photographs courtesy of pinterest.)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

C

All others are opinion or conjecture.