Changes

*''Born: [[1822]]''

*''Born: [[1822]]''

*''Died: [[1885]]''

*''Died: [[1885]]''

*''Titles: General-in-Chief of the Union Army (1864-1865), President of the United States (1869-1877)''

*''Titles: General-in-Chief of the Union Army (1864-1869), President of the United States (1869-1877)''

Ulysses S. Grant, American Civil War hero and two-term President, visited Japan from June 21 to September 3, 1879, the last leg of a two and a half year global tour. Though no longer President at this time, and traveling purely as a private citizen, not as an official representative of the United States in any respect, his visit was viewed by the [[Meiji government]] as an important diplomatic opportunity.

Ulysses S. Grant, American Civil War hero and two-term President, visited Japan from June 21 to September 3, 1879, the last leg of a two and a half year global tour. Though no longer President at this time, and traveling purely as a private citizen, not as an official representative of the United States in any respect, his visit was viewed by the [[Meiji government]] as an important diplomatic opportunity.

Though he had visited a great many countries during his two and a half year tour, it is said that Grant truly held a special admiration, sympathy, and affection for Japan, which he saw as a rising power in the East, capable of great things<ref name=chang/>.

Though he had visited a great many countries during his two and a half year tour, it is said that Grant truly held a special admiration, sympathy, and affection for Japan, which he saw as a rising power in the East, capable of great things<ref name=chang/>.

Grant fell ill in 1885, and died later that year. During his illness, the Japanese ambassador to Washington was sent by the Emperor to visit the former president at his home in upstate New York on at least four occasions.

Grant fell ill in 1885, and died later that year. During his illness, the Japanese ambassador to Washington was sent by the Emperor to visit the former president at his home in New York City on at least four occasions; Grant focused, as well, in those last months of his life, on composing his memoirs.<ref>Plaque on-site at his former home at 3 East 66th St, where he lived from [[1881]] until 1885.</ref>

During discussions surrounding the composition of the [[Meiji Constitution]] in [[1889]], the Meiji Emperor is said to have drawn heavily upon Grant's advice<ref name=chang/>.

During discussions surrounding the composition of the [[Meiji Constitution]] in [[1889]], the Meiji Emperor is said to have drawn heavily upon Grant's advice<ref name=chang/>.