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James Monroe Day of Birth
James Monroe was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Son of Spence Monroe, a carpenter and farmer and Elizabeth Jones Monroe. -
College of William and Mary
James Monroe attended College of William and Mary at age 16 to study law. -
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American Revolutionary War
James Monroe cut his studies short, left college and enlisted in the Third Virginia Regiment during the spring of 1775 to fight against the British. -
Elizabeth Kortright
Married Elizabeth Kortright. The couple had two daughter and a son who died as an infant. -
James Monroe elected to the Senate
James Monroe was a young and upcoming politician. He followed Thomas Jefferson's practices, and he was elected to the United States Senate in 1790. -
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James Monroe, ambassador to France
Monroe worked with the French, smoothing ties and establishing relationships. His work as ambassador likely helped paved the way to the Louisiana Purchase later on. -
Governor of Virginia
After working as Ambassador, Monroe moved on to become the Governor of his home state, Virginia. He ended up being re-elected for a total of four terms. -
Louisiana Purchase
Monroe helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase from France. -
War of 1812
During the war, Monroe continued working in government. He worked as the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War. -
James Monroe becomes president
The fourth US president, President Madison, backed Mr. Monroe for the presidential election, and Monroe easily won. -
Adding to the Union
During his presidency, Monroe added five states to America. They were Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri. -
Missouri doesn't make it into the Union
Missouri's economy was going through a depression and they applied to join the Union as a slave state. President Monroe's administration denied their request, but the Missouri Compromise was eventually passed, which had a plan to get rid of slavery. -
Monroe is re-elected
With a good track record during his previous presidency, President Monroe won the re-election without any problems. He was known as naming strong, influential people to his presidential cabinet. -
The Monroe Doctrine
Monroe's work toward making America secure became law. The Monroe Doctrine helped make it off-limits for other countries to come onto the American Continent to make new colonies. -
Monroe dies
President Monroe passed away after successfully serving two terms. He was 73 years old when he died from tuberculosis.
