Who served as US President for only one day?

Answer 1

Many would say that "David Rice Atchison" was President for a day, because Taylor would not take the oath on a Sunday. However, the facts are somewhat different. First, Atchison was appointed President Pro Tempore by the 30th Congress. Congress, and Atchison's appointment expired at midnight on March 3, 1849. That means he couldn't serve as President because he wasn't President Pro Tempore. Second, the Constitution doesn't say a person has to be sworn in to be President. One listed website states: "before "he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation . . ." It doesn't say he has to take the oath before becoming President; merely that he must take the oath before executing the duties of the Presidency." http://www.snopes2.com/ If Zachary Taylor didn't take the oath, and therefore couldn't be President, than neither could David Atchison. He didn't take the oath either. James Monroe's second term inauguration also fell on a Sunday. So was there a President between Monroe's terms? No one has step forward with such a claim. Modern Presidents have their terms end at noon on January 20th. As most modern inaugurals run behind schedule, and the Vice-president is always sworn in first, at noon on the 20th of January, we have several times had the Vice-president sworn in but not the President. Did this make the Vice-president a "President for (insert minutes)?" David Atchison, couldn't have been President. He wasn't in office, wasn't in the line of succession, and didn't take the oath of office. See these sites for further research: http://www.snopes2.com/ (Urban legends) http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_133.html (Straight Dope)

Answer 2

Some say that would be David Rice Atchinson on 4 March 1849.