Friday, December 26, 2008

WARREN HARDING, 29TH PRESIDENT - Warren Harding was sworn in as our nation's 29th President on March 4, 1921. He was the first President to ride to and from his inauguration in an automobile. His was also the first inauguration for which loudspeakers were used, as well as the first inauguration for which a steel inaugural stand was utilized (and was used in future presidential inaugurations until 1981). He died in office while on a trip to San Francisco. While he was popular while in office, soon after his death revelations about the Teapot Dome and other scandals during his presidency soon surfaced. It also was published that he had fathered an illegitimate child and had several affairs with other women. Because of these scandals and the general lack of presidential leadership during his time in office, he is often ranked as the worst president in U.S. history.