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James is born
James was born to a humble life in Ohio and raised by a widowed mother on a small farm. -
Education and Work
James graduates from Williams College in Massachusetts, moves back to his home in Ohio and a classics professor at Western Reserve Eclectic Institute. Within a year, James President of the College. -
Becomes Senator
Garfield is elected senator of Ohio as a Republican. During his time as a congressmen, he advocated to keep the seceding states in the Union. -
Leads Brigade in Civil war
When the Union has very few battle victories, Garfield successfully led a Union brigade against confederates in Kentucky. Later, President Lincoln would persuade Garfield to resign from his duties as a brigadier general so that he could continue his work in congress. -
Wins Presidential Election
Garfield won the Presidency by just 10,000 popular votes against the democratic nominee, Winfield Scott Hancock. -
Garfield arrives in Washington
Newly elected James Garfield and his wife arrived in Washington. Garfield immediately began formulating a cabinet and administration. -
Garfield becomes President
James Garfield is sworn in as president, and becomes the first member of congress to gain presidency. -
The beginning of Conkling and Garfield
President Garfield sent his list of nominations to senator of New York, Roscoe Conkling. From here on out, Conkling would prove to be a source of conflict for the President. -
Garfield Removes E.A. Meritt
President Garfield was highly against the spoils system. So one of his first acts was removing Ethan Atkins Meritt from the NY Customs house. Meritt was only there due to Roscoe Conkling giving him the job in exchange for his support. Garfield then sent W.H. Robertson's name in to replace Meritt. Conkling being a rival of Robertson, was extremely unhappy about the President's decision. -
Filibuster
A democratic filibuster ends with Garfield agreeing to remove some of his appointments that some members did not agree with. But with the filibuster ending, it also allows Garfield to push for Robertson's place in the customs house -
Garfield removes nominations
Just before the senatorial vote on New York nominees, Garfield finds out that Conkling is going to try and adjourn before Robertson is considered. So Garfield removes all of his other nominees just so Robertson will get the job -
Senators Resign
NY senators Roscoe Conkling and Tom Platt resign in attempt to protest Robertson's confirmation -
Senate Confirms Robertson
The senate agrees with the President and confirm Robertson to take the place of Merritt as collector of customs in NY. -
Executive Order
Garfield issues an executive order that allows the heads of the executive departments to get out of work to decorate graves of soldiers on Monday, May 30, 1881. (memorial day) -
Garfield is shot
Charles J. Guiteau fires 2 shots at Garfield and hits him at Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Passenger Terminal in Washington D.C. -
Garfield passes away
President Garfield finally passes away during his sleep due to infection and pneumonia at the age of 49.
