James Knox Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, on November 2, 1795. He graduated with honors in 1818 from the University of North Carolina. Leaving his law practice behind, he served in the Tennessee legislature, where he became friends with Andrew Jackson. Polk moved from the Tennessee legislature to the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1825 to 1839 (and serving as speaker of the House from 1835 to 1839).
Polk took office on March 4, 1845, and at 49 years of age, he became the youngest president in American history. Before Polk took the oath of office, Congress offered annexation to Texas, and when they accepted and became a new state, Mexico severed diplomatic relations with the United States and tensions between the two countries escalated.
Things went less smoothly in the hunt for California and New Mexico, and ever-increasing tensions led to the Mexican-American War. After several battles and the American occupation of Mexico City, Mexico ceded New Mexico and California in 1848, and coast-to-coast expansion was complete.
Polk promised his people that he would only serve one term and he made good on his promise. He did not seek re-election in 1848. He retired to his home in Tennessee. However, the stress of the presidency took its toll on Polk and he died later that summer.
Fun Facts:
- Polk began his formal education at the age of 18.
- It is thought that Polk died of cholera.
- Polk is considered to be one of the best one-term presidents in United States history.
James Knox Polk:
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