James Knox Polk

Birth-Death: (1795 - 1849 ) Term: (1845-1849 )

James K. Polk pursued the "Manifest Destiny" belief. During his presidency the country expanded dramatically, adding the territories of Oregon, California, New Mexico and Texas. In addition to taking over these regions, Polk had a great domestic policy, lowering tariffs, and establishin such great institutions as the Smithsonian.

Chronology of James Polk

1844 - Oregon Dispute

1845 - Opening of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis

1845 - Texas Annexed

1845 - "Manifest Destiny" is mentioned by John O'Sullivan

1845 - Florida admitted as a state

1846 - Texas becomes a state

1846 - Mexican War

1846 - Oregon Dispute Settled

1846 - Establishment of the Smithsonian

1846 - Establishment of a uniform national election day.

1847 - Issuance of the first U.S. postage stamp.

1848 - Wisconsin becomes a state

1848 - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed.

1848 - Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California

1848 - Laying of the cornerstone of the Washington Monument

1848 - The first women's rights convention held in Seneca Falls, NY

1849 - Creation of the Department of the Interior.