Profile of the Day: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Posted October 14, 2020 by Amanda | No Comment

On this day in 1890, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, was born.

Image: Dwight D. Eisenhower / Library of Congress

Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas to David Jacob Eisenhower and Ida Elizabeth Stover. The third of seven sons, Eisenhower grew up in Abilene, Kansas and formed a great fondness for the outdoors. An excellent athlete, Eisenhower excelled at sports in high school and received an appointment at the United States Military Academy in West Point.

During World War II, Eisenhower rose quickly in the ranks and in 1943, he was appointed as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Eisenhower successfully commanded the Allied forces in the invasion of Normandy.

After the war, Eisenhower returned to the United States a war hero and served as chief of staff of the Army. In 1952, Eisenhower was elected the 34th President of the United States in a landslide victory. He would serve two terms as president.

Eisenhower died on March 28, 1969 at the age of 78.

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