President's Day

It's President's Day, and I am off work.  In honor of our Presidents, here are some fun facts about our Presidents. These are drawn from the book Stupid History: Tales of Stupidity, Strangeness, and Mythconceptions Throughout the Ages, which my daughter, showing a keen insight into the interests of her father, gave me for Valentines Day.

• Some people claim that David Rice Atchison was President of the United States for one day. James Polk's term of office ended at noon on Sunday, March 4, 1849. Zachary Taylor was due to be sworn in that day, but he refused to be sworn in on the Sabbath, and his Vice President followed suit; both of their inaugurations were scheduled for the next day. Since Atchison was President pro tempore of the Senate, he was thus next in line and was therefore President for one day. Family legend has it that he slept through the day, making this a great lead in for me making a crack about him being the most effective President ever, if I were inclined to disrespect the office of the President.

• From no president to two: Rutherford B. Hayes (I guess we always include the "B." to distinguish him from all the other "Rutherford Hayes" who have been President) had been beaten in the general election by Samuel Tilden (losers don't get a middle initial), but Hayes was elected President by one electoral vote.  Tensions were high and there was a fear that supporters of Tilden would disrupt the inauguration, so Hayes, then-President Ulysses S. Grant (I guess we include the "S." blah blah blah) and Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite (I guess blah blah "R." blah blah) snuck off to administer the oath of office to Hayes the day before the inauguration, which also happened to be several hours before Grant's term ended.  Does this mean that Rutherford B. and Ulysses S. were both President until Grant's term expired?  I'm no lawyer, but if  it doesn't, it doesn't really matter; it's still an interesting piece of history.

• President Franklin Pierce was arrested in 1853 - during his term of office - for running down a lady with his horse. He was probably drunk at the time.

• The Chicago Times didn't like the Gettysburg Address. Here is what they said about it:

The cheek of every American must tingle with shame as he reads the silly, flat and dish-watery utterances of the man who has been pointed out to intelligent foreigners as the President of the United States.

• Stupid History also informs that President Lincoln did not have the deep, resonant voice that the movies would have us believe, but that he had a high, shrill voice - a voice perfect for being heard long distances during open-air debates with no amplification.

So there you have it. Happy President's Day!