According to some (and disputed by most historians)James Polk’s presidency ended on March 3rd. Zachary Taylor had been elected to succeed Polk. March 3rd was on a Sunday and Taylor’s “shomer shabbos” religious convictions would not allow him to take the oath of office on a Sunday. Therefore, with Polk’s term ended and Taylor refusing to be sworn in, Atchison, as as President pro tem of the Senate became president for the day.
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