Tuesday, April 19, 2005

POTUS 4: President James Madison, The First President To Wear Pants


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President Madison was the 4th president of the United States. He served eight years each as a Congressman, as secretary of state, and as POTUS. He played many parts in the founding of this country, and he led the country through the War of 1812, which was more or less a second war of independence.

Madison co-authored The Federalist Papers--a series of articles written under the pen name Publius with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. These papers were intended to gain support for the proposed Constitution. The Federalist Papers are often studied in public relations classes as a prime example of how to conduct a successful campaign; they are considered one of the greatest PR campaigns of all time.

We mainly remember James Madison as "Father of the Constitution." He was its leading defender and interpreter for 50 years. He is often considered a lackluster President, but in fact he accomplished a great deal without a lot of flash.

His wife Dolley Madison was a spitfire, and one of the best-loved first ladies of all time. James Madison is the only President to have two Vice Presidents die, and is the first President to wear pants instead of knee breeches.
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