Humpday History Highlight
By Wyatt Earp | August 5, 2009
Quick, who was the 12th President of the United States? If you said “Zachary Taylor,” you may technically be incorrect.
Think you know your presidents? I thought I did before I read this story.
David Rice Atchison – President for One Day?
At noon on Sunday, March 4, 1849, President James Polk’s term officially ended. Because it was a Sunday, however, Polk’s successor – Zachary Taylor – refused to be sworn in until the next day.
Missouri Senator David Rice Atchison was serving as president pro tempore of the Senate, which made him next in line after the president and vice-president. Therefore, the argument goes, he served as America’s 12th president until taylor was sworn in. (H/T – )
All because Taylor refused to be sworn in on a Sunday.
Topics: HHH | 4 Comments »
August 5th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Kinda reminds me of Bill Belichicks head coach job with the Jets.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
That sounds just like something that would happen here too.
August 6th, 2009 at 7:52 am
I missed that little fact.
August 7th, 2009 at 1:08 am
Sully – Well crafted. And right before football season!
Illy-chan – It’s a shame Obama’s inaugural was in the middle of the week.
Admiral – As did I, until I read the book.