TigerCoach
03-04-2008, 02:08 PM
Can you name a U.S. President that was only in office for 24 hours?
Back before FDR, the Presidential Innauguration was held on March 4th, instead of the January 20th we have now. This particular March 4th fell on a Sunday and the newly elected President, Zachary Taylor, refused for religious reasons to take an oath on Sunday. So, since the term of the former president expired at noon, and the new guy wouldn't take th eoath until Monday, the oval office would be empty.
The Succession Act of 1792 had provided for just such a problem. The vacancy was to be filled by the President ProTem of the Senate. This person was Missouri Senator David Rice Atchison.
White House logs indicate that during this 24 hour term as President, Atchison did neither tax nor spend. Rather, he slept through the day.
Thought that was pretty interesting!
Back before FDR, the Presidential Innauguration was held on March 4th, instead of the January 20th we have now. This particular March 4th fell on a Sunday and the newly elected President, Zachary Taylor, refused for religious reasons to take an oath on Sunday. So, since the term of the former president expired at noon, and the new guy wouldn't take th eoath until Monday, the oval office would be empty.
The Succession Act of 1792 had provided for just such a problem. The vacancy was to be filled by the President ProTem of the Senate. This person was Missouri Senator David Rice Atchison.
White House logs indicate that during this 24 hour term as President, Atchison did neither tax nor spend. Rather, he slept through the day.
Thought that was pretty interesting!