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.
(Photo: AP/LOC)
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