Inaugural History
1949 -- Zachary Taylor
James Polk's term ended on a Sunday, but Taylor wouldn't be sworn in on the Sabbath. For a day, there was no U.S. president. (Senate President Pro Tem David Atchison's term ended a day earlier.) On Monday, Taylor was sworn in. Guests departing one of the balls at dawn found their wraps were left in heaps by long-gone coat checkers, and a lanky Illinois congressman lost his hat. His name was Abraham Lincoln.
Author: CBS News Staff
Credit: AP/LOC
