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The first time was in 1841. That year, outgoing President Martin Van Buren’s term ended on March 4. He was succeeded by William Henry Harrison, who holds the unfortunate distinction of having the shortest presidency in American history. He served for just 31 days, as he fell ill shortly after his inauguration and died on April 4, making him the first president to die in office. His vice president, John Tyler, then served the remainder of his term. |
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A similar confluence of events occurred exactly 40 years later. In keeping with his pledge not to seek a second term, Rutherford B. Hayes left the White House on March 4, 1881. James A. Garfield then became the 20th president, though his was not to be a long tenure. He was shot on July 2 and succumbed to his injuries on September 19, making him the second president to be assassinated, after which Vice President Chester A. Arthur took the oath of office. All six presidents involved in these incidents have something else in common: None of them served more than a single term. |
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