James K. Polk

State of the Union Written Messages were recorded in 140.

Proclamations were issued in 1790.

James K. Polk was born on November 2, 1795, in Pineville, North Carolina.

James K. Polk, the eleventh president of the United States, was born on November 2, 1795.

The Polk family moved to Tennessee in 1806 when James K. Polk was 10 years old.

In 1812, Dr. Ephraim McDowell performed surgery on James K. Polk in Danville, Ky., to remove urinary stones.

In 1818, James K. Polk returned to Tennessee and studied law under Felix Grundy.

James K. Polk returned to Tennessee to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1820, at the age of 24.

In 1821, James K. Polk was admitted to the Tennessee state bar and started practicing law in Columbia, Tennessee.

In 1823, James K. Polk was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives, where he was known for consistently backing the political aspirations of General Andrew Jackson, gaining the nickname “Young Hickory.”

On January 1, 1824, James K. Polk married Sarah Childress, a woman from one of Tennessee’s most well-regarded families. Sarah was very well educated and often assisted her husband with speech writing and provided policy advice throughout his political career.

James Polk was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1825 after a successful run for the Tennessee legislature. His rapid political ascension was aided by his relationship to Andrew Jackson, and he served seven terms in Congress, including two terms as Speaker of the House.

Upon his death in 1827, Samuel Polk left behind 8,000 acres of land and fifty-three enslaved people to his wife and ten children.

During his time in Congress, James Polk was involved in the passing of the controversial Indian Removal Act of 1830, which resulted in the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands.

At the age of 16, James K. Polk underwent a major surgery for urinary tract stones, which was performed without anesthesia.

James Polk was involved in the Nullification Crisis of 1832, a period of confrontation between the federal government and the state of South Carolina over the issue of protective tariffs. This crisis highlighted the growing tensions between the federal government and individual states.

In 1833, James K. Polk became the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

With President Andrew Jackson's support, Polk was elected speaker of the House in 1835.

In 1837, James K. Polk served as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1839, James K. Polk left his position as Speaker of the House of Representatives to become the Governor of Tennessee.

In 1841, James K. Polk served as the Governor of Tennessee.

Polk also ran for governor of Tennessee in 1843, but he lost.

James K. Polk was nominated on May 29 as the Democratic Party’s candidate for president, marking a crucial step in his political career.

On June 12, 1844, James K. Polk accepted the Democratic Presidential Nomination.

Former President Van Buren failed to receive the 2/3 votes necessary on the first ballot. James K. Polk, initially receiving no votes, was nominated unanimously on the 9th ballot, becoming the first 'dark horse' candidate.

James K. Polk was inaugurated as the 11th President of the United States on March 4, 1845.

On March 15, 1845, James K. Polk delivered a special message.

In May 1845, Frederick Douglass presented an opposing perspective during James K. Polk's single term.

On June 16, 1845, James K. Polk issued an executive order regarding the death of Andrew Jackson.

In his first annual message, James K. Polk emphasized that the Americas should not be colonized by European powers. He also addressed the negotiation with Britain about Oregon and stated that the admission of Texas only awaited an act of Congress.

James K. Polk addressed Congress on the present state of affairs and the administration's goals for the coming year.

James K. Polk sent a special message to Congress, announcing that Texas had accepted the terms of admission.

A Special Message was issued on December 10, 1845.

A Special Message was issued on December 15, 1845.

James K. Polk sent an extradition treaty with Prussia to the Senate, which had been signed on January 29.

A Special Message was issued on December 19, 1845.

On December 22, 1845, a special message was delivered.

Mexico was informed that it would receive an American commissioner.

During President Polk's first year in office, Texas joined the United States as the 28th state, marking a significant expansion of the country's territory.

On January 3, 1846, another special message was delivered.

On January 6, 1846, yet another special message was delivered.

On January 12, 1846, a special message was delivered once again.

On January 13, 1846, another special message was delivered.

On January 17, 1846, Proclamation 46B was issued, declaring Lewiston, New York a Port of Delivery.

A special message was delivered on January 20, 1846.

A special message was delivered on January 28, 1846.

On February 2, 1846, the U.S. Senate ratified the Oregon Treaty with Britain, impacting the territorial boundaries of the United States.

A special message was delivered on February 03, 1846.

A special message was delivered on February 05, 1846.

A special message was delivered on February 07, 1846.

A special message was delivered on February 09, 1846.

On February 12, 1846, another special message was delivered.

On February 16, 1846, yet another special message was delivered.

On February 18, 1846, a special message was delivered.

On March 23, 1846, a special message was delivered.

On March 24, 1846, a special message was delivered.

On April 1, 1846, a special message was delivered.

On April 3, 1846, another special message was delivered.

On May 13, 1846, President James K. Polk signed a declaration of war against Mexico after General Zachary Taylor and his troops clashed with Mexican forces on the northern bank of the Rio Grande.

James K. Polk died on June 15, 1849, three months after leaving office at the age of 53.

The Oregon Treaty granted the United States clear title to vast tracts of land in the Northwest and allowed both Britain and the United States access to the Pacific Ocean through the channel south of Vancouver Island, averting a potential war.

The Tariff of 1846, also known as the 'Walker Tariff,' was passed by Congress as a key part of President Polk's domestic agenda. It aimed to lower rates toward revenue-only levels, with a few items remaining protected. The tariff was named after Polk's secretary of the Treasury, Robert J. Walker.

President vetoed the French spoliation claims bill, marking the second of his three vetoes.

President Polk signs into law the Independent Treasury, which he refers to as a 'Constitutional Treasury,' as a crucial part of his domestic agenda.

President James K. Polk delivered his second State of the Union message to Congress, addressing the nation's current state and outlining his administration's priorities.

James K. Polk attended the cornerstone laying of the Smithsonian Institution building, which is now known as 'The Castle', on May 1, 1847.

President James K. Polk embarked on a tour, visiting several states including Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and New Jersey, to engage with the citizens and promote his policies.

In mid-November 1847, Trist received the recall notice but decided to ignore it, believing that he could secure a treaty with Mexico despite President Polk's order to return to Washington, D.C.

President Polk delivered his third State of the Union message to Congress, addressing the nation's current state and outlining his administration's priorities.

President Polk vetoed the Wisconsin Territory internal improvements bill, citing concerns about the allocation of funds for internal improvements beyond the Wisconsin Territory. This decision highlighted the ongoing debate about the extent of federal government power and its impact on internal improvements.

The President refuses to disclose all instructions given to an emissary on the grounds of protecting the public interests.

Following a controversial two-year war, Mexico ceded New Mexico and California to the United States through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo during President Polk's administration.

The Senate approved the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on March 10, 1848. This approval finalized the terms of the treaty, which included Mexico recognizing the Rio Grande as the Texas border and ceding California and New Mexico to the United States.

J. G. Ramsey was requested to convey James K. Polk's firm decision of not seeking reelection to the Democratic Convention.

James K. Polk attended the cornerstone laying of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 1848.

James K. Polk addressed Congress on the present state of affairs and the administration's goals for the coming year.

James K. Polk's presidency ended on March 3, 1849, after serving a single term as the 11th President of the United States.

At the end of his single term as the 11th president of the United States, James K. Polk had reshaped the nation, fulfilling the American spirit of manifest destiny. His presidency ended on March 4, 1849.

On March 5, 1849, James K. Polk attended the delayed inauguration of General Taylor, which was postponed due to the 4th being a Sunday. He was reported to have received friends and associates after the ceremony.

James Knox Polk passed away on June 15, 1849, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 53. He served as the 11th President of the United States from 1845 to 1849.

The remains of James K. Polk were transferred to a tomb at Polk Place.

The remains of James K. Polk and Sarah C. Polk were transferred to the grounds of the Tennessee state capitol in Nashville.

The President James K. Polk Home and Museum is owned by the State of Tennessee and partially funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation/Tennessee Historical Commission.