Today Is the 200th Birthday of American Hero US Grant

“The great distinguishing qualities of General Grant were truth, courage, modesty, generosity and loyalty. He was loyal to every work and every cause in which he was engaged—to his friends, his family, his country and to his God, and it was these characteristics which bound to him with hooks of steel all those who served with him.” —Major General Grenville M. Dodge

Ulysses S. Grant—general, president, patriot, hero. As one of the biggest victims of the romanticized and mendacious Confederate myth, Grant has far too often been criticized or dismissed or downplayed when he should have been celebrated. Today is the 200th birthday of U.S. Grant, and I want to share a few facts that highlight why Grant is one of the greatest men in American history.

1) Grant is arguably the greatest civil rights president in American history, besides Lincoln.

2) Grant was an excellent and even brilliant general. Due to the romanticized Confederate myth, and due to the fact that Grant did in fact have some losses (but who hasn’t? Even the phenomenal General George Washington saw quite a few losses for various reasons), Grant after his death has not received the credit he should. He impressed many of those who knew him best.

3) It really does say something about Grant that, when he went on his world tour post-presidency, rulers and important figures in nations from Germany to China to England all wanted Grant’s advice and company.