Ulysses S. Grant was an American soldier and politician who served as the 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877. He was a Union general during the American Civil War and is best known for leading the Union forces to victory over the Confederate forces. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio on April 27, 1822. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1843. He served in the Mexican-American War and was promoted to the rank of captain. After the war, he resigned from the army and worked as a farmer and real estate investor. In 1861, Grant rejoined the army and was appointed a brigadier general. He was promoted to major general in 1862 and led the Union forces to victory at the Battle of Shiloh. He was promoted to lieutenant general in 1864 and was given command of all Union forces. He accepted the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House in April 1865, effectively ending the Civil War. After the war, Grant was elected the 18th President of the United States in 1868. He was re-elected in 1872 and served two terms. During his presidency, he oversaw the Reconstruction of the South and the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, which granted African Americans the right to vote. He also signed the Indian Appropriations Act of 1871, which granted Native Americans U.S. citizenship. Grant died on July 23, 1885 at the age of 63. He is remembered for his leadership during the Civil War and his commitment to civil rights.