Rutherford B. Hayes
Born on October 4, 1822, in Ohio, Rutherford B. Hayes pursued higher education, earning a degree from Harvard Law School. He then moved to Cincinnati, where he established a successful law practice. Hayes’s path to the presidency was marked by controversy when contested electoral college votes in the 1876 election led to nationwide confusion. To resolve the dispute, he secretly took the oath of office in the Red Room of the White House in 1877, becoming the only president to do so. After serving one term, Hayes left the presidency to focus on important social causes, including children’s literacy, prison reform, and financial equality, leaving a lasting impact on these issues.
