James Knox Polk Quick Facts

11th president of the United States

Birth	November 2, 1795
Death	June 15, 1849
Home State	Tennessee
Party	Democrat
Term In Office	1845-1849
Vice President	George Mifflin Dallas
Significant Acts	Lowered the tariff on imported goods by signing the Walker Tariff in 1846.
	Added the Oregon Territory to the United States in 1846 by skillful negotiation with Britain.
	Commanded the United States in the Mexican War (1846-1848), which ended in a U.S. victory and significant territorial gains for the United States.
Career	1823-1825 Served in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
	1825-1839 Represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives.
	1835-1839 Served as speaker of the House.
	1839-1841 Served as governor of Tennessee.
	1845-1849 President of the United States.
Did You Know	Polk laid the cornerstone of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 1848.
	Sedated only by brandy, Polk survived gall bladder surgery at the age of 17.
	The announcement of Polk's nomination for president via telegraph was the first use of this technology in politics.

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