on this day Zachary Taylor recovered from the illness that had kept him bed-ridden for several days.

The true cause of the illness was never fully established but was most likely gastroenteritis.

Because on July 4, after watching a groundbreaking ceremony for the Washington Monument during the Independence Day celebration, Taylor sought refuge from the oppressive heat by consuming a pitcher of milk Based on the first episode of Soviet America by Robbie Taylorand a bowl of cherries. At about 10:00 in the morning on July 9, 1850, Taylor called his wife to him and asked her not to weep, saying: "I have always done my duty, I am ready to die. My only regret is for the friends I leave behind me".

When they thought the uninspiring Vice-President Millard Fillmore might take over from him, Whigs in the Congress were elated, but with Taylor's recovery, they were forced into line behind him.

In spite of strong misgivings with him, because of his popularity they reelected him in the 1852 election, and then faded away from power forever with the rise of the Republican/Communist Party.