Zachary Taylor dies; Millard Fillmore becomes 13th President

Background. Zachary Taylor served as the 12th President from 1849 until his death in 1850. Millard Fillmore, elected Vice President in 1848, succeeded to the presidency upon Taylor's death. Fillmore was sworn in as Vice President in March 1849. The transition occurred during a period of sectional conflict, particularly regarding the Compromise of 1850, which Fillmore later supported.

Death of Zachary Taylor. On July 4, 1850, Taylor attended celebrations for the Washington Monument cornerstone, reportedly consuming cherries and iced milk on a hot day. He died on July 9, 1850, at age 65. Fillmore received formal notification of the death, signed by the cabinet, on the evening of July 9 at his residence in the Willard Hotel.

Succession and Swearing-In. Millard Fillmore became the 13th President on July 9, 1850. He was sworn in on July 10, 1850, in Washington, D.C. Upon becoming president, Fillmore dismissed Taylor's cabinet and pushed Congress to pass the Compromise of 1850, which he had supported unlike Taylor.