On  December 28, 1856, future president Woodrow Wilson was born in Staunton, Virginia. Growing up in the South during the Civil War and the Reconstruction that followed shaped his views in ways that would profoundly affect his presidency. Wilson’s father was a staunch supporter of the Confederacy, and, as president, Wilson enforced strict racial segregation in the federal government. He was passionate about the topic and defended racial segregation on supposed scientific grounds in both public and private settings.

He was also known for opposing women’s right to vote, at least initially. He was so vehemently opposed to it that he became the subject of a series of protests. However, over time, he changed his mind. In 1918, he even gave a speech to Congress on the need to give women the right to vote nationwide.

Wilson is famous for establishing the League of Nations, an intergovernmental organization facilitating communication between nations to maintain world peace. Although the League of Nations did not last long, it is believed to have inspired the subsequent United Nations. Wilson also actively promoted democracies worldwide and advocated for everyone’s right to free navigation of the world’s oceans.

He served two terms and decided to run for a third term, which was legal then. However, in 1919, he suffered a severe stroke and was unable to make that third run. He died in 1924.