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The 15th Masonic President

In the courthouse of Plattsburg, Missouri, there is a statute of Brother Atchison bearing the inscription "David Rice Atchison 1807-1886, President of the United States for One Day.

The circumstances were the transition from President James Polk to Zachary Taylor.

According to the law at that time, President Polk stepped down as President on Sunday, March 4, 1849. Zachary Taylor was a deeply religious man and refused to be inaugurated on a Sunday. Thus, according to ascension laws, the office falls to the Vice-President George M. Dallas however his term also ended on noon on March 4. Thus the Presidential line then falls to the President Pro Tem of the Senate - who was David Rice Atchison.

The problem was debated in the Congress for several hours and agreed by them that Brother Atchison, although never inaugurated was legally and by the Constitution, President of the United States from noon on March 4, 1849 until noon on March 5, 1849. Brother Atchison was a member of Platte Lodge No. 56 in Platte City, Missouri.

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Last modified: March 22, 2014