Chester A. Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur, the twenty-first president of the United States, was born on October 5, 1829.

In 1855, Chester Arthur successfully represented Elizabeth Jennings Graham, a black woman who had been denied a seat on a Manhattan streetcar due to her race. This case helped lead to the desegregation of public transportation in New York City.

On October 25, 1859, Chester A. Arthur married Ellen Lewis Herndon. She was the daughter of a naval officer and their marriage was a significant event in Arthur's personal life.

In 1861, Chester A. Arthur was appointed as a brigadier general in the New York State Militia.

Chester Arthur became the 21st U.S. president on March 4, 1881, following the assassination of President James Garfield. He advocated for civil service reform and signed the Pendleton Act in 1883, which required government jobs to be distributed based on merit.

On July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau at the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad station in Washington, D.C.

Chester A. Arthur assumed the presidency on September 19, 1881, following the assassination of President James A. Garfield.

On September 20, 1881, President James A. Garfield was assassinated, leading to Chester A. Arthur succeeding him as the 21st President of the United States.

Chester Arthur delivered an Inaugural Address following a public ceremony to administer the Oath of Office in the Vice-President's room at the Capitol, emphasizing the peaceful transition of power.

On September 23, 1881, Chester A. Arthur issued Proclamation 251, convening an extra session of the United States Senate.

President Arthur issued a proclamation declaring September 26th a day of mourning for former President James A. Garfield.

An executive order was issued at the Yorktown Centennial Celebration, directing the salute of the British flag by the forces of the Army and Navy of the United States.

The murder trial of Charles Guiteau, the accused assassin of former president James A. Garfield, commences amidst disorder and controversy.

Secretary of State James G. Blaine resigns from his position due to political disagreements with President Arthur.

Charles Guiteau is convicted in the murder trial, marking the end of the legal proceedings related to the assassination of President James A. Garfield.

Congress passes a bill linking congressional representation to the census, resulting in an increase in the number of representatives to 325.

On March 1, 1882, the United States acceded to the Geneva Convention of 1864, which aimed to provide protection and care for wounded war personnel. The Senate concurred with the accession on March 16, 1882, and it was proclaimed on July 26, 1882.

The U.S.-Mexico Convention of 1882 concluded with the provision of an international boundary survey to relocate the frontier line between the U.S. and Mexico territory to the west of Rio Grande. The treaty was ratified by President Arthur on 11/07/1892 and proclaimed on 3/5/1883.

On March 22, 1882, the Amended Antipolygamy Act, also known as the Edmunds Act, was signed into law. This act made it a felony for Americans to marry multiple spouses.

On April 4, 1882, President Chester A. Arthur vetoed the First Chinese Exclusion Act, which aimed to prohibit the immigration of Chinese laborers to the United States for twenty years. Arthur believed that the suspension of immigration for twenty years was too extreme.

President Arthur uses his veto power to reject the first Chinese Exclusion Act, which aimed to prohibit Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States for twenty years and to deny American citizenship to existing Chinese residents. This decision sparks strong opposition from labor groups who perceive the growing Chinese labor force as a threat.

Charles Guiteau, the assassin of President James A. Garfield, is executed for his crime.

President Arthur vetoed the Steamboat Safety Bill, citing concerns about its phrasing.

In August 1882, President Arthur's physician, Brode Herndon, documented in his private diary that the President was suffering from Bright's disease, a fatal kidney ailment. Despite the diagnosis, Arthur's declining health was kept secret from the public.

President Arthur vetoed the River and Harbor Act due to his belief that the allocated funds for the repairs of rivers and harbors were excessive.

Following the 1880 census results, the House increased by 32 seats. Democrats gained the majority in the House but lost the majority in the Senate, weakening President Arthur's position.

The Civil Service Reform Bill was a significant legislative initiative advocated by President Arthur to improve the efficiency and fairness of the government's civil service system.

President Arthur, despite his initial opposition, recognized the significance of the Civil Service Reform Act and eventually signed it into law.

On May 24, 1883, President Chester Arthur and New York Governor Grover Cleveland participated in the ceremonial opening of the Brooklyn Bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge was the first bridge to be built across the East River linking New York City and Brooklyn. The bridge was an engineering marvel, utilizing numerous construction techniques that had never before been attempted on such a massive scale.

President Arthur's health was deteriorating due to Bright's disease, but he received a spectacular welcome at the Brooklyn Bridge opening celebration. He walked across the bridge with Governor Cleveland and the 7th regiment as part of the celebration.

President issues Executive Order to reduce Internal Revenue collection districts from 126 to 83. The order was prominently noted in the Annual Message, Reports of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and newspapers, indicating a high degree of personal presidential involvement in consolidation decisions.

Arthur issues a proclamation recommending the observance of the 100th anniversary of General George Washington returning his commission as commander-in-chief to the Continental Congress.

Congress passes a bill repealing the 1862 test oath, which mandated office holders to declare they had not been involved in illegal or disloyal activities.

Congress approves an act concerning the civil administration of Alaska, which had been transferred to the United States from Russia in 1867.

President Arthur vetoed the relief of Fitz John Porter Bill, believing that it was an attempt by Congress to intrude on the authority of the Executive branch.

President Arthur signed the Act creating the Bureau of Navigation as part of the Treasury Department.

President Arthur signed the Act creating the Central and South American Commission.

President Arthur signs an act to prevent and provide penalties for illegal occupancy of public lands.

President Arthur signs the Contract Labor Act, which prohibits contracting migrant workers to perform labor in the United States.

Chester A. Arthur's presidency comes to an end as he completes his term in office.

Chester A. Arthur died of kidney disease at his home on Lexington Avenue in New York, N.Y. He was interred in Albany Rural Cemetery, Albany, N.Y. Prior to his death, there was an ordered destruction of his personal and official papers.