President for a Day

Tomorrow is President's Day, so let's honor someone special -- the man who was President of the United States for only one day. Of course we're talking about David Rice Atchison. Turns out that in 1849 James K. Polk's term ended on Sunday, March 4 at noon and Zachary Taylor's inauguration wasn't until Monday. So, as president pro tempore of the Senate Atchison was thrust into the presidency for about 24 hours (rumor is that he slept through it, and in fact he was never sworn in). The best part? There's a commemorative monument in Plattsburg, Missouri that you can visit. Learn more about Atchison and other American oddities at RoadsideAmerica.com.