Humanities › History & Culture Ulysses S Grant Fast Facts Eighteenth President of the United States Share Flipboard Email Print FPG/ The Image Bank/ Getty Images History & Culture American History U.S. Presidents Basics Important Historical Figures Key Events Native American History American Revolution America Moves Westward The Gilded Age Crimes & Disasters The Most Important Inventions of the Industrial Revolution African American History African History Ancient History and Culture Asian History European History Genealogy Inventions Latin American History Medieval & Renaissance History Military History The 20th Century Women's History View More By Martin Kelly History Expert M.A., History, University of Florida B.A., History, University of Florida Martin Kelly, M.A., is a history teacher and curriculum developer. He is the author of "The Everything American Presidents Book" and "Colonial Life: Government." our editorial process Martin Kelly Updated July 01, 2017 Ulysses S Grant attended West Point but was not impressive as a student. After graduating, he fought in the Mexican-American War as a Lieutenant. However, after the war he retired to become a farmer. As in a lot of his personal life, he did not have much luck. He didn't rejoin the military until the start of the Civil War. He started as a colonel but quickly rose through the ranks until President Abraham Lincoln named him as the Commander of all Union forces. He would then move on to become America's eighteenth president. Here is a quick list of fast facts for Ulysses S Grant. For more in depth information, you can also read the Ulysses S Grant Biography. Birth: April 27, 1822 Death: July 23, 1885 Term of Office: March 4, 1869-March 3, 1877 Number of Terms Elected: 2 Terms First Lady: Julia Boggs Dent Nickname: "Unconditional Surrender" Ulysses S Grant Quote: "My failures have been errors of judgment, not of intent." Major Events While in Office: ReconstructionTranscontinental Railroad Completed (1869)Black Friday Scandal involving James Fisk and Jay Gould (1869)Fifteenth Amendment Ratified (1870)Credit Mobilier Scandal (1872)Panic of 1873Whiskey Ring Scandal (1875)Belknap Bribery Scandal (1876)Battle of Little Bighorn (1876) States Entering Union While in Office: Colorado (1876) Related Ulysses S Grant Resources: These additional resources on Ulysses S Grant can provide you with further information about the president and his times. Ulysses S Grant BiographyTake a more in depth look at the eighteenth president of the United States through this biography. You'll learn about his childhood, family, early career, and the major events of his administration. Civil WarUlysses S Grant was the commander of Union forces during the Civil War. Learn more about the war, its battles, and more with this overview. Top 10 Presidential ScandalsUlysses S Grant was president during three of these top ten presidential scandals that occurred throughout the years. In fact, his presidency was marred by one scandal after another. Reconstruction EraAs the Civil War ended, the government was left with the job of mending the horrendous rift that had torn the nation apart. The programs of reconstruction were efforts to help achieve this goal. Chinese-Americans and the Transcontinental RailroadChinese immigrants had a huge impact on the history of the west in America. They were instrumental in the completion of the railroads, despite intense discrimination from fellow workers and bosses. Chart of Presidents and Vice PresidentsThis informative chart gives quick reference information on the presidents, vice-presidents, their terms of office and their political parties. Other Presidential Fast Facts: Andrew JohnsonRutherford B. HayesList of American Presidents