Today in History: Rutherford B. Hayes
Today in History–October 4–the Library of Congress features President Rutherford B. Hayes, born on this day in 1822. After a bitterly contested election, Hayes became the nineteenth president of the United States in 1877 thanks to the vote of a special electoral commission. Learn more about Rutherford’s fascinating four years as chief executive by reviewing the Today in History section then click the links below to access more primary resources and stories related to this president.
Rutherford Birchard Hayes Was Born from America’s Library
Primary Source Spotlight: 1876 Contested Presidential Election
Rutherford B. Hayes historical newspaper coverage
President Hayes historical newspaper coverage
Rutherford B. Hayes presidential inauguration items March 5, 1877
Rutherford B. Hayes’s First Annual Message to Congress December 3, 1877
Select political cartoons
- “Reason Why the Anti-Coolie Bill Had No Effect” from The Wasp Volume 3, Aug. 1878- July 1879
- “Goodbye, John!” Cover from The Wasp Volume 5, Aug. – Dec. 1880 (political cartoon)
More Rutherford B. Hayes political cartoons
Letter from Rutherford B. Hayes to Benjamin Harrison March 5, 1889
- “Two Years of President Hayes” The Atlantic Monthly Volume 44, Issue 262, August 1879
- “President Hayes’ Address” The American Missionary Volume 36, Issue 12, December 1882
- “The Hayes-Tilden Electoral Commission” The Atlantic Monthly Volume 72, Issue 432, October 1893
Books & other texts related to Rutherford B. Hayes
Hayes sheet music
- Give Hayes and Wheeler, three times three! / by G. Elmer Jones
- Hayes grand march / by E. Mack
- Hayes and Wheeler / by Guiseppe Riano
- The Humbug reform / by R. M. Stapp
- National reform / by John Harloe
- Tilden and Hendricks march / by G. Wiegand
- Who shall be the man / by Henry Schroeder
Sheet music
- “The Boys in Blue Will See It Through” 1876 Campaign song and Chorus
- Hurrah! For Hayes and Honest Ways! 1876
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center
Related resources