|
 |
James
Polk- 11th President
Party: Democrat
Term: March 4, 1845 - March 3, 1849
Age at Inauguration: 49
Life Span: Nov 2, 1795 - June 15, 1849 [53]
Spouse: Sarah Childress
- Age at Marriage: 28
Vice President: George Dallas |
 |
- James Polk was the first "Dark
Horse" candidate elected President
- Nominated as an alternative candidate
on the eighth ballot, the democratic convention overwhelmingly
gave
him the nod on the ninth
- News of the president's nomination
at the democratic convention in 1844 was telegraphed from Washington
to
Baltimore - the first such notification by wire
- James and Sarah Polk arrived in Washington
for the inauguration by boat on a Sunday
- The stage would be set for the next
four years when the new presidential couple insisted such a display
was not
necessary, and also conflicted with their religious convictions
concerning the Sabbath
- There was no dancing, singing, or
alcohol permitted in the Polk White House
- The Polk's had no children and worked
together as team to run the government
- Sarah sat in on cabinet meetings and
was very influential in her husband's decisions
- Beginning with the election of 1845,
election day was proclaimed uniform for all states as the first
Tuesday after
the first Monday in November
- Polk was the first former Speaker
of the House elected president
|
|
|