When George Washington took office in 1789, he was heralded as the "Father of Our Country" and known throughout history as the first President of the United States. This was not exactly true however.
Several men served as leaders of our country before Washington took office, both as Presidents of the Congress and then as Presidents of the United States under the Articles of Confederation, which proceeded the Constitution.
There is also the story of the man who served as President for one day between Polk and Taylor. Although they are not as well known, and most only served one year terms, they were no less important to the history of our country.
Presidents of Congress.Peyton Randolp, Henry Middleton,
Peyton Randolph, Henry Middleton, John Hancock, Henry Laurens, John Jay, Samuel Huntington,
Thomas McKean
Presidents of the United States Under the Articles of Confederation. John Hanson , Elias Boudinot, Thomas Mifflin, Richard Henry Lee, John Hancock,
Nathaniel Gorham, ArthurSt. Clair, Cyrus Griffin,
President For A Day. David Rice AtchisonHe was born in Frogtown, Kentucky on August 11, 1807, attended a University in Lexington and studied law. He was a Senator for Missouri; member of the state house of representatives in 1834 and in 1838; the judge of the Platte County circuit court in 1841, and chairman of the Committee on the Militia. He died at his home January 26, 1886 in Plattsburg, MO.
Atchison served as unofficial President of the United States for a day on Sunday - March 4, 1849. Vice-President George Dallas had resigned, leaving Atchison (President of the Senate) next in line for the Presidency. James Polk resigned his office a day early to head home to Tennessee and Zachary Taylor refused to take the Oath of Office on a Sunday for religious reasons. Although Atchison never took the Oath of Office, his tombstone does list him as President for that day. What is more interesting is that history records that, because of fatigue from inaugural partying the night before, Atchison slept through the entire day of his Presidency.