Moderating
This is just a reminder to keep the discussion civil.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
As an example, one of those stupid will-never-die supposed “facts” that constantly appear on internet lists of nonsense states that Sen. David Rice Atchison, was president for one day because Zachary Taylor did not want to take the oath of office on a Sunday. (Prior to the 20th amendment, inauguration would have been March 4, 1849, a Sunday.)
This, of course, is nonsense. Taylor became president on March 4, he just declined to start work until Monday, when he took his oath.
In those days it was far less important for a president to be available 24/7; things didn’t happen as quickly as they do today. So nobody thought much of Taylor enjoying the weekend.
Right. Of course the whole idea that Atchison was president is absurd, since he didn’t take the oath either. If taking the oath was necessary to be president, he was no more president than Taylor. So no matter how you look at it, either Taylor was president on Sunday (he was), or no one was.