On This Day in American History |
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On July 9, 1850, President Zachary Taylor dies suddenly after serving just 16 months. While the cause of his death is still disputed, the most widely accepted explanation is he died of a digestive ailment after a Fourth of July celebration at the Washington Monument construction site. The 12th president rose to the office as a member of the Whig Party after a long career in the military, which included involvement in the War of 1812, several Indian Wars and the Mexican-American War. He was succeeded by Millard Fillmore. |
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