Jefferson Davis was a U.S. senator and the president of the Confederate States of America.
Here are a few facts regarding where Davis was born and his life in general.
1. Birthplace
Jefferson Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Christian County, Kentucky,
according to Biography. Davis was born just 100 miles away from President Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace. Christian Country cannot be found today because it was renamed Fairview after Davis’s birth.
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2. Military Background
Davis was born to a family of nine other children. His father and uncles served in the American Revolutionary War, while three of his older brothers fought during the War of 1812. Davis was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point, when he was only 16, according to Biography.
3. Slave Holder
After military life, Davis settled down in Mississippi, where he owned a cotton plantation with slaves,
according to Civil War Trust. Davis was later elected to the House of Representatives for a short term for his state.
4. Mexican War
After a short term, Davis quit serving in the House to again served in the military during the Mexican war. He then returned as a senator, and opposed the Compromise of 1850, which made California a slave free state,
according to History.
5. Confederate President
During the crisis of state secession, Davis resigned from his Senate seat and was eventually chosen by acclamation to become President of the Confederate States of America in 1861.
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6. European Trips
After being captured by the Union army and serving two years in prison, Davis and his family packed everything up and traveled around Europe for some time. Davis finally returned to the American South and lived out the rest of his days in Mississippi, according to Civil War Trust.
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