Is President Barack Obama Really the USA's First Black President or Was 29th President Warren G. Harding the First?

From the International Business Times: Is President Barack Obama the first U.S. black president or was Warren G. Harding, whose presidency was largely ineffective, the first?

Was President Warren G. Harding Biracial?

Consider the case of Warren G. Harding, the Republican from Ohio who became the 29th president in the early 1920s. Harding’s term was largely undistinguished and he is widely regarded as one of the most unaccomplished presidents in history. Indeed, his tenure was scarred by the ‘Teapot Dome’ scandal.

Rumors have long abounded that Harding had partial black African ancestry. During the presidential campaign of 1920, the subject was frequently raised by Harding’s enemies and opponents.

One of them, William Estabrook Chancellor, a professor at the College of Wooster in Ohio, tried to derail Harding’s bid by accusing the nominee of being an "octoroon" – a descendant from "Negro" ancestors. A passionate Democrat, Chancellor implied that due to his mixed blood-line, Harding was unqualified to occupy the White House.

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