-
He was born on his family's farm in North Carolina. He was the oldest of 10 kids. He was often sick when he was young, and survived an operation to fix it.
-
Polk was only informally schooled as a child. When he was 18, he attended a religious school nearby. Later, he went to the University of North Carolina. He also met his future wife Sara Childress here.
-
James met Sarah at his college in North Carolina. He decided to become engaged to her. On January 1, 1824, James married Sarah, who was a resident in Murfreesboro's capital.
-
Polk became Speaker of the House in 1835. Polk's party members convinced him not to run for speaker again. He left in 1839 and won the gubernatorial election in Tennessee.
-
Before presidency, James was in the Tennessee legislature and the Senate. In 1839 he became governor of Tennessee. He was a democrat who wasn't very well known.
-
James K. Polk was hoping to be elected for Vice President on May 27, 1844. He did not win this because of his stand on Texas' annexation. He became a "black horse" candidate, and was elected as president.
-
Many states were added to the union during Polk's presidency time. First, Texas was added after the war we fought. Then Iowa and Wisconsin were added without any conflicts.
-
The Oregon Treaty allowed Polk to get lots of land without a big war. The Oregon Treaty settled the borders between the United States and the British. As a result of this, the US gained Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and some of Montana and Wyoming.
-
James K. Polk decided to keep his promise and only serve one term. After he left, Zachary Taylor became the 12th president. Zachary Taylor was a military leader in the Mexican-American War.
-
James K. Polk decided to leave the white house in 1849. He did not go for re-election after his first term. He went back to his house, Polk Place, in Nashville.
-
The stress of presidency left him in poor health. He died that summer on June 15 when he was 53 years old.
-
James' and his wife's remains were moved from Polk Place. His wife outlived him by around 40 years. Their remains were moved to the Tennessee Capital in Nashville.
