The Grave of a Forgotten Wartime President | History Traveler 84

We're kicking off a trip to the Deep South with a visit to Nashville to visit the grave of a president who has been forgotten by many but who served during the Mexican American War and oversaw the greatest border expansion in the history of the U.S. That president is James K. Polk. Enjoy the first of many in this series in the Deep South!
Other episodes that you might enjoy:
- Inside the Home of Andrew Jackson (EP 65): • Inside the Home of And...
- FAMOUS GRAVES at Arlington (EP 19): • FAMOUS GRAVES at Arlin...
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[@shellydehart8217]

Very interesting. You are doing such amazing job in keeping history alive for today. Sad as it is children are not being taught about our history in schools. ♥️♥️😊👍👍

[@dianeashworth2311]

I retired after a 32-year career and I can tell you to blame the teachers’ union for that.

[@RobbieWebster]

I was going to say, I love that shirt. Awesome video. I discovered you a couple months back after visiting Philly, DC & Gettysburg on a road trip. I’m absolutely addicted to your channel. Very well done.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome! Thanks. Feel free to share it out with other 🙂

[@joncrowson9147]

As a "descendant" of James K Polk, I'm really happy you did a video of him! The Polk museum is in Columbia Tennessee and features a lot of cool artifacts. it was either his son or grandson had moved near Cookeville TN (where the family cemetery is) and had many kids there.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, I'd like to get down to his home one of these days. Definitely a president that people should know more about.

[@karentrimmer]

As a native Californian we were taught in elementary school that James Polk was responsible for admitting California as a state, he did all the paper work! Taylor submitted it and Fillmore signed it

[@steelwitness]

Ive lived in Tennessee my whole like so James K Polk and his story is common household info so i never realized this story was so unknown to others. Thanks for sharing it and Im glad you loved your time in Tennessee

[@horrorqueen2546]

I was in your history class in High School and it was always one of my favorite classes! I hope to see videos in the future of all previous presidents' graves!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome! Thanks so much for the kind words. I really do appreciate that. Gonna take me awhile to get to all of the graves of the presidents, but it should be fun.

[@pennyhoward3438]

THANK YOU!! Our American history is so important and I am glad you are sharing your travels.

[@jimvanderpoel4467]

I used to live in Bangor Maine and the cemetery down the road from me had some interesting graves and history. It was used as a filming location in Pet cemetery, 1930s gangster Al Brady who died in a shootout with the FBI in Bangor was buried in a unmarked grave and Abraham Lincoln's first vice president Hannibal Hamlin was burried there as well.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Jim Vanderpoel - interesting! I’ll have to check that out if I’m ever up there.

[@jimvanderpoel4467]

@@TheHistoryUnderground it's Mount. Hope cemetery

[@jimbeale1412]

FYI...Elvis was born in Tupelo, MS, moved to TN as a teenager. Great video as always !

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Jim Beale - Thanks! I almost put an annotation in that spot to say that. Probably should have just to avoid any confusion.

[@michelehurt9258]

Thanks for another enlightening video jd. Love your videos. Keep up the great work. Love history too, your videos make me want to keep learning our history more. Glad I'm not the only history geek out there. Thanks again.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! So glad that you are enjoying them.

[@pelicanbird901]

This is really cool. Thank you for what you’re doing to preserve our history.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Pelican Bird - My pleasure! Thank you for watching.

[@antiguanetwork5726]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I really enjoy your work! If you haven’t already, travel to Richmond, VA to see the graves of two presidents buried practically next to each other (Monroe & Tyler) at the Hollywood Cemetery.

[@SandervkHistory]

Love this little episode! Allways fun to learn! 👌

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I figured that it was something that most people might overlook.

[@ositogringo]

Fabulous channel. Great work each time.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate the kind words.

[@camdodge9891]

Good video and be safe on your travels and your channel is amazing I love it

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate it.

[@kathym5307]

I really enjoy your videos!

[@danwoodliefphotography871]

I had a feeling you meant Polk. Seeing all presidents will be a challenge, but interesting. I share your interest in cemeteries. Polk's birthplace is in NC, but I have yet to go. I have seen the graves of Lincoln, Washington, Tyler, Monroe, Jefferson, and Grant.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Nice! It'll take awhile to chip all of them away, but I figure that I'll see some cool stuff while I'm doing it.

[@williambechmann6547]

Nice video, JD. President William Henry Harrison is buried in North Bend, Ohio. His tomb is just 10 minutes from my home in Cincinnati, Ohio. If you are in the area, yell. You have a place to stay. God bless...

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Appreciate that. Definitely need to get up there sometime.

[@thegenerikshow8545]

Going to all the presidents graves is the major travel goal of mine. About halfway there

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh man. You're way ahead of me then. Seems like you'd see a lot of cool stuff along the way.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

1776 👊🏻

[@thegenerikshow8545]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Yes and no. For Virginia and Ohio, there are 5 each buried there and you can do whole trips around those. Many are buried at their estate or museum and those are great since you get a much larger experience along with the grave visit. They're especially nice when you have a major metro area nearby and you can make a vacay out of it. I've never been to Nashville so you've got me beat there!

[@onebigbobo]

We visited the Hermatage and the Battle of a Franklin due to your videos. You helped add more detail and context in addition to the guides. I look forward to your trip to E Tenn and visiting Andrew Johnson.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome! Hope that you enjoyed both places 🙂

[@mrDCunningham]

I learn alot from your vlogs. Thank you 👍🏻😎

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome! Glad that they're proving useful in some way.

[@chrisskelly7177]

Super interesting Love your videos

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I really appreciate that. Glad that you are enjoying them.

[@bartmiddel8738]

Again a great vid!!! Keep it up!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@purpleku7768]

Eisenhower's grave is in Abilene KS. Absolutely worth the trip!

[@agoodman1776]

Drove by that town and never stopped, ever been kicking myself about it.

[@garymorris1856]

Yes, And as I am sure you know, just one president laid to rest in Washington, DC. I have been to Eisenhower's grave and 16 others.

[@joyevilsizor3158]

Just two days ago discovered your show and really enjoy it. I love presidential stuff! Did want to mention to your comment that, "Polk may have been the only president who had also served as Speaker of the House." Not so. You are too young to remember our past President Ford. Through the Nixon/Mondale mess, Speaker Ford was quickly snatched from his post to become President of the United States. Boy were those some crazy and chaotic days. Someone probably mentioned such to you below but I did not check.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Good point. I should have articulated myself a little better there and said that Polk was the only person who was elected President to serve as Speaker. Glad that you're enjoying the channel! I've got some plans to do some more presidential stuff this spring.

[@gerryconstant4914]

Great video as usual. Love history from an early age and past on that love to my son and grandson. Grandson is taking an AP. World History course this year and will receive college credit for it. He will take AP US History next year. Not bad for someone who just made 16. When he was young and sleep over his bedtime story were always from one of my history books.

[@Headstoneman]

Another great production!

[@andreguillette6293]

awesome !! Thank You

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure!

[@vickihough6060]

Love researching the presidents. Polk is fascinating. Made us a country "from sea to shining sea". Thanks for this visit. Very underrated president.

[@pneumaone]

Really enjoyed the still shot of you by the monument. Do some more

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. I upload new content every Monday and Thursday. Hope that you enjoy the future content :)

[@MTGrad1]

I am a Nashville native now living In Mecklenburg County, NC. I work a few miles from Polk’s birthplace.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Nice!

[@swtexan6502]

Great video, as usual. One truly interesting thing to do, if you can, is to attempt to find and read some of the diplomatic correspondence between Pres. Polk and his emissary in Mexico and then what was actually communicated to the Mexican President on behalf of the U.S. during the time leading up to the Mexican-American War. Great primary source documents that help students really delve into history of great Country. Safe travels, JD.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I'll have to look those up. Appreciate the advice.

[@karenhope7943]

Always learning something while watching.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@jq5211]

Highly recommend visiting the home of James K Polk.. it is a small home but the tour is PACKED with history.

[@jimscardino2603]

Love love love your channel! I hope it’s worth your while doing this! It’s relaxing driving on the bridge cute seeing you playing with the bird then informative content! I want to know, Polks middle name, Knox .... anything to do with Fort Knox?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! So glad that you are enjoying the channel. Looks like someone already jumped in with some info on the middle name. Always enjoy what I learn from people on here.

[@jimscardino2603]

Snaggle Toothed thanks, interesting

[@tonisargent4695]

thank you for your video

[@jamestakacs]

Love your videos. I've been to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley California twice. Both times were before he past away. You will love it.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh man. I'd love to see that one. Reagan is one of my favorites.

[@BrodyLevesque]

It may be of interest to note to your viewers that 'Polk Place' which President Polk only lived in for 50 days before his death was where this tomb & structure was located originally in its front yard where it remained until her death at which time there was a dispute over ownership of the home and the President's remains and that of his wife were relocated to the capitol grounds. The Polk Place mansion was demolished and the site is currently occupied by 'The Capitol Hotel.'

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. Thanks for that extra info!

[@BrodyLevesque]

@@TheHistoryUnderground You're quite welcome.

[@whodatn4l948]

I'm hooked to your channel. Subbed.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@SueProst]

Very cool video. God speed on the travels.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks. I figured that it'd be something a little different.

[@havenandrist7425]

Who does your guitar picking ? Your music is always perfect ....

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! I have a few online music licensing services that I use. Can't remember who did that one.

[@carolynbohannon4602]

I agree. Its not distracting

[@MarthaDwyer]

Polk was born in NC along with Johnson and Jackson was born in a disputed area between NC and SC. All 3 lived and are buried in Tennessee.

[@christina-yp6jy]

Thank you.. nice video

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@83thechaz]

Interesting you covered President Polk because he is one of my relatives on my father’s side. Thanks again :)

[@Jerry-fn5nx]

Very cool. I had no idea he was buried at the state capitol of Tennessee. A forgotten president and a forgotten war too. I've read a lot about James Polk and the Mexican-American War. Very interesting how in that war it was a dress rehearsal for the heroes and soldiers who fought against one another in the Civil War almost 20 years later.

[@steveramey8654]

Polk is one of the Top 5 Presidents in our history. We could use him today. Stated his goals, accomplished them in his first term, and didn’t run again.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely makes me want to learn more about him.

[@praisinggod6758]

Lived in Nashville back in the early 80’s. Walked all around the capitol. Even got to go inside. Huge place with high ceilings and wide open spaces.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Unfortunately, it was closed the day that I was there. I'll have to revisit sometime.

[@ericagibson4455]

If NC happens to be on your southern state itinerary, visit Polk’s birthplace in Pineville, NC. A state historic site has been established to educate the public of Polk’s upbringing until his move to TN in 1806. With today’s stringent regulations regarding occupancy and personal safety, one would need to check the website for visiting guidelines. It’s a neat little side trip if doable. Safe travels. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Oh wow. Didn't know that. I didn't make to NC on this trip, but I'll definitely keep that in mind for when I'm out there. Thanks!

[@johnkelsey2482]

Excellent Again....Thanks....

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@gregsayre4700]

glad you have a sponsor, congrats

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I'm not getting any financial compensation from them. They are a really good company that's doing some amazing things though.

[@gregsayre4700]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I hope you do get one though

[@timmcneil906]

Appreciate your contributions to preserving our National history. In my humble opinion, we are at this moment, experiencing the worst presidency in our Nation’s history.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you!

[@charlymcguire345]

Thx....did not know his grave was there. Have been to his home ...they did not have children but I am related...5th great uncle...i carry Polk as my middle name. Has always been special to do so!

[@user-ne3nn6vq5c]

I love this channel ❤

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@alanbower1193]

For some reason I thought that Polk was buried in his family plot. I did not know he was buried on the capital grounds. Be safe on your trip. Lot of weird things going on out here.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! That's the truth. Thanks!

[@kurtdietrich5421]

If you ever get up to Teddy Roosevelt's grave, in Oyster Bay, Long Island, you'll be 10 minutes from me. Continue on about 2 miles and visit Sagamore Hill, his home.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That place is at the top of my list. TR is my favorite.

[@kurtdietrich5421]

@@TheHistoryUnderground I pass by the grave about once a month while working.

[@pamelakern2849]

Very interesting video . I learned about Polk. I knew very little about this president. 🤔🤩

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

He's definitely an overlooked president. Glad that you liked it!

[@bruceraykiewicz6274]

Unusual that you would be doing this video of President Polk. He was born in the small town of Columbia, Tenn. I've visited Columbia, Tenn. many times, due to a miniature RR hobby that I'm involved in. But, regrettably, I never visited James K Polk's birth place.

[@robertbenson9797]

Another great video! James K. Polk probably did more in his one term as President than anyone else. America stretched from “sea to shining sea” when he left office.

[@bobapbob5812]

I was amazed to learn about his surgery which in those days was terrifying.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I'll have to look that up.

[@bobapbob5812]

@@TheHistoryUnderground from wikepedia: Polk suffered from frail health as a child, a particular disadvantage in a frontier society. His father took him to see prominent Philadelphia physician Dr. Philip Syng Physick for urinary stones. The journey was broken off by James's severe pain, and Dr. Ephraim McDowell of Danville, Kentucky, operated to remove them. No anesthetic was available except brandy. The operation was successful, but it might have left James impotent or sterile, as he had no children. He recovered quickly, and became more robust.

[@BigLisaFan]

Been to Nashville. Had to go to a place on 11th Avenue. No one told me there was a north and south 11th Avenue. I could eventually see my destination but getting there was an adventure in itself.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Clare Ravenwood -Ha! It is a bit crazy to get around there.

[@BigLisaFan]

@@TheHistoryUnderground Try it in an 18 wheeler in rush hour. No turns, no trucks, one way streets always the opposite way you need to get to. Such fun. You should come to Canada when all this is done, Crawling with history if one knows where to look. Most of my neighbours had no idea where we live was at one time captured, to us, enemy territory.

[@mellowhansen2274]

I’ve been there. Went there in October of 2019

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Mellow Hansen - 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@syl19281]

I watching your videos from province of Québec Canada, and l love your history vidéos, of course i'm not american but i'm very interested by your KZbin Channel 👍👍👍

[@georgelincolnrockwell4659]

Happy Labor Day!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@jakeedwards3739]

If you make it to Springfield IL. I love to show you around

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely need to get up there one of these days.

[@luftwaffe6521]

I remember my grandma telling me when she was alive that we were distant cousins of Polk.

[@benec5816]

Thankyou do you think in these times his memorial will be safe thankyou for this episode stay safe and take care

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

The armed guards that I was probably helped 🙂

[@JLiger]

I always like Madison and Polk i felt they were great president , i read about president history and still have . Thank for showing Polk grave , so weird he buried in the park but not in cemetery.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Yeah, kind of unique.

[@benjaminrush4443]

Visiting Eastern Tenn. - Museum of Appalachia, Clinton - Open Air with Bld. dedicated to Folk Art & Music. They claimed one of the Cabins - Mark Twain in his youth. Camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Eastern Tn & Western Carolinas. I think it's real cool to visit the President's Graves. Thanks.

[@carolynbohannon4602]

Can I get any of ur videos on dvds. I know people that would love these but no computer or wifi

[@marycleary-qe5ou]

I was in Tennessee last year and didn't know about a!l.this. thanks

[@robertwunner5523]

I live in Nashville. You should visit some of the older cemetery's herein Nashville.

[@bobmorgan1762]

I saw this on the hill (from a distance) lit up at night. I need to go back. My List: Nixon, Madison, Kennedy, Taft, Eisenhower, Truman, Harding, Taylor, Reagan (In Repose), Jefferson, Lincoln and Washington. The Hermitage closed 5 minutes before I got there.

[@karentrimmer]

Growing up in California we were taught that James Polk was responsible for California becoming a state. Zachary Taylor actually submitted the bill to Congress, and Millard Fillmore is the one who signed it.

[@marycahill546]

Retired nurse from Canada here. Taking vitamins will not improve your immune system unless you already have a deficiency. Also, minerals and vitamins are not well absorbed in pill form -- best to just eat fresh food. If you eat healthy, let it be and don't waste your money. Waist purses are great -- carry your wallet, cell phone, mask, small bottle of hand sanitizer for hands and some disinfectant wipes to clean door knobs etc. and you are good to go anywhere. In hotel rooms wipe down everything touchable as soon as you come into the room -- staff do miss things. I wash my hands often and haven't had a cold in 10 years. Love your shows. Stay safe!

[@xvsj-s2x]

Fabulous and historic idea !!! Visiting all the POTUS grave sites 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

X VSJ 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@michaelpark7048]

Safe travels...hit me up if you come towards Richmond, VA

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Definitely hope to get to Richmond one day.

[@scottishhellcat]

Unfortunately you waited too late to go to Richmond. It has been trashed. You might be able to go to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond and make an interesting video.

[@RAKKAR7]

As usual, showing places the armchair historian, such as myself, would never have known about. Thank you! If you're coming to GA we should definitely get together!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Kristopher Reed - Thanks! I’m already back home but I’m definitely planning on coming back. My intention is to schedule some sort of group meet up the next time I’m down there. I’ll post any details in the future on the Facebook page.

[@RAKKAR7]

The History Underground I figured you were. A group meet would be fantastic!

[@caroleannseaton9178]

Great film of a man no one thinks of. What about his house? Can't wait for more vacation films. When did you film this? Aren't you hot in long jean's and boots?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

I didn't get a chance to see his house. That'll be for a future trip. This was filmed in early August. As far as the boots and jeans, I grew up bucking hay bales all summer long, so it doesn't bother me :)

[@JimJoeKnoxTenn]

@@TheHistoryUnderground President Polk's Nashville house WAS located about a block from where you were standing, at the southwest corner of 7th Avenue North and Union Street. The site is now occupied by a motel, but if you stand facing the entrance to the Sheridan Hotel parking garage on 7th Avenue North and turn around, you'll see an historical marker that commemorates the house location. A one-block-long street just to the west, on the other side of the property, is Polk Avenue, which also commemorates the house location. The only extant Polk residence is his ancestral home in Columbia, Tennessee.

[@Gutslinger]

He lived through the Civil War. Would be interesting to hear of his perspective on that time period, if there are records of it. Never thought of it before, but it would be interesting to hear the thoughts of prior presidents who happened to live through that time frame.

[@garymorris1856]

James K. Polk did not live through the Civil War.

[@Gutslinger]

@@garymorris1856 I guess I misread the date on the memorial stone.

[@garymorris1856]

@@Gutslinger That's okay. We share a love of history, my friend. I just remembered that he lived a very short time after leaving the Presidency, possibly the shortest time of any president. Thank you.

[@garymorris1856]

@@Gutslinger That's okay, my friend, we share a love of history. Yes, Polk only lived about three months after leaving the Presidency, and he was only 53. Thank you.

[@williambennett6342]

If you like the capitals stones there you gotta see the ones in rock creek park from the renovation of the US Capital in DC

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks for the heads up!

[@tturner12341]

I’ve been to 39 grave sites or Presidential Museums. This grave is on my list. As is Truman and Johnson.

[@arielcabalin2746]

Was President Polk buried and reburied three times in different places ? Thank you for sharing your really interesting videos! Sincerely From Ontario, Canada

[@hippie6972]

How much is that kit with the mask, and vitamins? I like that! And your "We're The People" shirt too!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

You can find all of that gear here: originmaine.com. Great company. I started using their protein power a few years back and just recently got into some of the other supplements.

[@fredohnemus7685]

Been to Nashville many times. Never at the capital. Really liked The Hermitage though.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Fred Ohnemus - The Hermitage is awesome! I’ve got a video on here where we visited that place if you haven’t seen it already.

[@kathystevetrooperblanck609]

I also have been to Nashville several times and have not been able to visit the Hermitage because of the hours or days it was not open!

[@abbyginge03]

I hope you come visit the William McKinley monument in Canton!!!!

[@garymorris1856]

I was at the McKinley Memorial last August, and it was spectacular. On the same trip I also visited graves of Hayes and Garfield.

[@naturetrails8357]

Polk kept all his campaign promises, great president very underrated

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely want to learn more about him.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Speaking of your South Dakota trip, did you count the Wall Drug signs between your home and there? That was a travel game we played on the way there. I think we counted 37! They made a special point of advertising the place, even across the world. It was probably their biggest claim to fame. Best known tourist trap in the USA! lol -- Let us know if you spot any Burma Shave signs. I doubt there are any left as they were mostly wooden I believe. Uh, you may need to google this. It was a long time ago. But Hee Haw used to do a take-off on them. Just another little sliver of U.S. domestic history gone by the wayside. (yes JD, that was a pun.) ;-)

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! We stayed in Wall but I didn't think to count the signs.

[@andychandler3992]

2:45 I just got all 39 a few weeks ago. :D

[@angelaw.325]

Am also a taphophile. Cemeteries are awesome.

[@johnnydude1488]

I know your more of a world war kind of guy but will you ever come to Virginia and go to Jamestown and Williamsburg? I used to go to williamsburg a lot

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

STONKS!!! GUY - I’d love to get to Virginia. I need to find a huge block of time to carve out to go there though. Tons of great history there.

[@errittsmith4536]

Go to the Polk home in Columbia Tn very interesting I grew up in Columbia Tn the Polk house is very beautiful

[@ucskaterpunk]

Hopefully you stop in Cincinnati, OH. Visit the grave of William Henry Harrison. And go to Spring Grove cemetary to see the grave of General Hooker among others.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Michael R - Oh wow. Thanks for the heads up!

[@epfan4life1]

How did it come to be that Polk was buried at the TN capitol building?

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Not sure on that one.

[@giselecomeans2091]

Warren G. Harding tomb here in Marion, Ohio.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

On the list. Thanks!

[@Svenguy]

He and Johnson kind of gave each other a run for “worst president ever”.

[@acer3573]

My 3x Gr Grandfather was in the Mexican War. My family has his officer's commission signed by Polk.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@acer3573]

I just remembered that one of my dad's cousins has his officer's sword. One of my great uncles wore it in a victory parade after WW2

[@hambam7533]

we have gerald fords tomb in my home town

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely hope to see that one.

[@yomtobgrazi5746]

He was the only speaker of the House of representatives to become president

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@jasepyle1221]

I’ve been to 63% of Presidental burial sites... Interesting history of polks place there in Nashville... if I remember right during the civil war Sarah Polk was still living & the union guarded the northern part of it & the confederates guarded the southern part

[@celiagorleski2716]

Gerald Ford was Speaker of the House before he became president even though he was not elected as president.

[@NateM99]

Happy you were able to find some Statues that haven't been taken down or destroyed. That Andrew Jackson Statue is very similar to the one at the White House. I would love to know what you think of the words on Polks grave, saying that he and his wife were Christians but also believed in Slavery? Its one of the things about American history that I have massive problems with.

[@CJ87317]

Well slavery was pretty much accepted in a lot of places until the 19th century (even in the North, abolition was gradual - New York ending it in 1827 for example), so it's not that surprising.

[@mwdaniel4]

Gerald Ford was speaker of the house also.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

True. But he was never elected.

[@mwdaniel4]

@@TheHistoryUnderground He sure was. He was elected to congress in 1949. He is also the only King to serve as President Of The United States.

[@CJ87317]

Ford was never Speaker. He was the highest ranking Republican in the House as Majority Leader, but the Democrats held the Lower Chamber from the early 50's through the 1994 midterms.

[@danielkeefe4961]

Whenever I think about Polk's presidency I like to ponder what if the "All of Mexico" movement had been successful. I feel like annexing the whole thing would have caused some interesting hiccups at different points throughout out history.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Interesting to ponder what that might have looked like.