James Knox Polk (November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849) was the 11th president of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849. A protégé of Andrew Jackson and a member of the Democratic Party, he was an advocate of American expansionism and Jacksonian democracy. Polk saw Texas join the Union in his first year in office, one of the precipitating causes that soon led the U.S. into the Mexican–American War. The settlement of that war expanded American territory to the Pacific Ocean.
US President James K. Polk announces to Congress that the United States should aggressively expand into the West, a wide
US President James K. Polk announces to Congress that the United States should aggressively expand into the West, a widely held belief termed "manifest destiny" by newspaper editor John O'Sullivan
Historical Significance
James Knox Polk (November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849) was the 11th president of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849.
Key People
Events Before
First issue of "Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant" newspaper is published; issued three times per week
First issue of "Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant" newspaper is published; issued three times per week
Samuel Morse taps out "What hath God wrought" in the world's first telegraph message
Samuel Morse taps out "What hath God wrought" in the world's first telegraph message
Canada defeats the USA by 23 runs in the first international cricket match at the grounds of St. George's Cricket Club i
Canada defeats the USA by 23 runs in the first international cricket match at the grounds of St. George's Cricket Club in Manhattan, New York
New York Politician Boss Tweed (21) weds Mary Jane C. Skaden
New York Politician Boss Tweed (21) weds Mary Jane C. Skaden
University of Notre Dame receives its charter in Indiana
The University of Notre Dame du Lac (known simply as Notre Dame; NOH-tər-DAYM; ND) is a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.
Events After
Legislative Assembly of Yucatán declares independence from Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to...
Thornton Affair: Open conflict begins over the disputed border of Texas, triggering the Mexican–American War
Texas ( TEK-səss) is the most populous state in the South of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and an...
First officially recognized baseball game (played by Cartwright Rules) - NY Nine defeats the NY Knickerbockers 23-1 in H
First officially recognized baseball game (played by Cartwright Rules) - NY Nine defeats the NY Knickerbockers 23-1 in Hoboken, New Jersey
US Act of Congress passes establishment of the Smithsonian Institution, now the world's largest museum and research comp
US Act of Congress passes establishment of the Smithsonian Institution, now the world's largest museum and research complex
Italian "The Barber of Seville" opera composer Gioachino Rossini (54) marries 2nd wife, French model Olympe Pélissier (4
Italian "The Barber of Seville" opera composer Gioachino Rossini (54) marries 2nd wife, French model Olympe Pélissier (47) in Paris, France
More from the 1840s
Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman" premieres in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony
Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman" premieres in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony
Explorer and medical missionary David Livingstone (31) weds Mary Moffat
David Livingstone (19 March 1813 – 1 May 1873) was a Scottish doctor, Congregationalist, pioneer Christian missionary with the London Missionary Society, and an explorer in Africa.
First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York
First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York
New York Illustrated News, the first illustrated weekly magazine in the US, publishes its first issue in New York
The Illustrated London News, founded by Herbert Ingram and first published on Saturday 14 May 1842, was the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on December 2, 1845?
- James Knox Polk (November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849) was the 11th president of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849. A protégé of Andrew Jackson and a member of the Democratic Party, he was an advocate of American expansionism and Jacksonian democracy. Polk saw Texas join the Union in his first year in office, one of the precipitating causes that soon led the U.S.
- Why is US President James K. Polk announces to Congress that the United States shoul... significant?
- James Knox Polk (November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849) was the 11th president of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849.
- Who was involved in US President James K. Polk announces to Congress that the United States shoul...?
- Key figures include James Knox Polk.