February 24

If you’re considering pursuing a career in national politics, though why anyone in their right mind would want to do that is beyond me, you should begin by building a resume with at least a couple of items of public service in it. Andrew Johnson, 17th president of the United States has the distinction, among others, of having held every non-judicial post in the American political system, a feat not duplicated by anyone else. He was a city councilman, mayor, state representative, state senator, governor, representative, senator, vice-president and president. You would also do well to develop a very thick skin because on the 24th in 1868, Johnson became the first president to be impeached by the House of Representatives. While the Senate would subsequently acquit him, this was the second time around for Johnson because impeachment proceedings against him were also held in 1867.