Which US president had the shortest term in office?

Lng2kissu

William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) was the first US president to die in office. At 32 days, he also had the shortest term in office. William Henry Harrison's Administration and Death in Office: When Harrison took office, he gave the longest inaugural address ever talking for one hour and 40 minutes. It was delivered in the cold during the month of March. He then got caught in the rain and in the end came down with a cold. His illness got worse until he finally died on April 4, 1841. He did not have the time to accomplish much and spent most of his time dealing with job seekers. Historical Significance: William Henry Harrison was not in office long enough to really have a significant impact. He only served one month, from March 4 until April 4, 1841. He was the first president to die in office. In accordance with the Constitution, John Tyler took over the presidency. http://americanhistory.about.com/od/williamhenryharrison/p/pwmharrison.htm?terms=william+henry+harrison [Added reference - McG] Nov 10 00, 6:15 PM

crimexscene

ACTUALLY! It was a man named David Rice Atchison. He was president for a day. My government teacher told me this and also, this is some information I found on a website. The last day of 11th President James K. Polk's term of office fell on March 3, 1849 -- a Saturday. With the inauguration of President Elect, Zachary Taylor not scheduled until Monday the 5th of March, the country would be without a President for an entire day. In an attempt to avoid this dangerous situation, Congress asked General Taylor if he would agree to take oath of office on Sunday. But, Taylor, a strictly religious man read the Constitution as clearly making it illegal to perform such official business on a Sunday and refused. In a debate lasting all day Saturday and into the wee-hours of Sunday, Congress decided that the law had to be followed. With no President or Vice President in office, the president pro-tem of the Senate takes over as President of the United States. And that's how Mr. David Rice Atchison, then president pro-tem of the Senate became President of the United States from noon on March 4, 1849 until noon on March 5, 1849. On Monday morning, Mr. Atchison signed some minor, but official papers as President of the United States. Yet, when asked how he had chosen to seize the moment of his great opportunity as President for a day, Atchison simply replied, "I went to bed." http://usgovinfo.about.com/blatchison.htm [Edited to add reference URL - McG] Dec 30 06, 10:33 PM

Baloo55th

Nice one! At last - someone digging up an archive to give some real info on it.... Dec 31 06, 8:11 AM

McGruff

It does happen once in a while. Most of the time I delete what gets added on to an older question unless it does contain interesting information such as this, and a reference. Parrot answers, opinions, and stuff I can't verify gets deleted. Dec 31 06, 9:45 AM