Today, our nation celebrates the birthday of President Ulysses S. Grant, the determined general who led the Union to victory in the Civil War. As the 18th President, he helped to heal a fractured Republic, urging its citizens to come together in unity once more.
Ulysses S. Grant was born on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio. He was the son of a diligent leather tanner and a caring mother, and was raised in a Christian household. At the age of 17, he joined the United States Military Academy, where he became renowned as the best horseman in his class, eventually receiving his commission in the United States Army.
During the Mexican-American War, Lieutenant Grant served with the 4th Infantry Regiment, participating in nearly every significant battle. He returned to military service at the start of the Civil War, achieving key victories from Fort Donelson to Vicksburg, and was subsequently appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as lieutenant general in charge of all U.S. armies. At Appomattox Court House in April 1865, his persistence, which earned him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender Grant,” culminated in the surrender of General Robert E. Lee, effectively ending four long years of civil war. Grant’s unwavering determination secured the Union’s success, and he inspired steadfast loyalty among his troops.
Grant was elected President in a sweeping victory in 1868, dedicating two significant terms to mending the nation’s divisions and reconstructing the American Republic from the devastation of war. He advocated for the ratification of the 15th Amendment, established the Department of Justice to uphold the rule of law, created Yellowstone as the first national park, facilitated the westward expansion by incorporating Colorado into the Union, and worked tirelessly to rejuvenate the economy and restore national unity after years of intense conflict.
Ulysses S. Grant’s story mirrors that of America—crafted through adversity, built with determination, and poised for greatness. Despite challenges, neither Grant nor the promise of the Republic could be diminished. As President during the nation’s Centennial, he led a country that, within a century, had built, innovated, and endured turmoil, only to rise as a global force. Today, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Republic’s birth and stand as a leading nation, we continue to uphold the values to which Grant dedicated his life’s work. My Administration is committed to restoring order, defending the rule of law, strengthening the military, and uniting the country under the ideals of strength, faith, and freedom that Grant so valiantly upheld.
On what would have been his 204th birthday, we pay tribute to President Ulysses S. Grant, whose bravery and leadership forged a stronger Union and whose remarkable legacy continues to illuminate the path for a strong, free, and courageous America.
