*Presidential Fun Fact of the Day

Tidbits from James Polk's inauguration:

1. Polk's was the first inauguration to be relayed by telegraph.

2. It was also the first time the Marine Band played "Hail to the Chief."

3. At the age of 49, Polk was the youngest president ever elected at the time.

4. Polk traveled from Tennessee to Washington, D.C. with his wife Sarah. They took a steamboat from Nashville to Wheeling, Ohio. Along the way, a group of musicians boarded one Sunday in the hopes of playing in Polk's honor. Religious Sarah wouldn't allow it on the grounds that it violated the Sabbath, and the musicians left quietly. Her husband explained that she was in charge of their domestic affairs.

5. Polk quoted from Thomas Jefferson's inaugural address in his own address.

Posted by Jennifer at March 8, 2004 09:55 AM

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