When Was James K. Polk Born? Uncovering A President's Start
Have you ever wondered about the beginnings of significant figures from history? It's fascinating, isn't it, to think about where their stories truly started. We often look at their big achievements, their time in the spotlight, but sometimes, just knowing a simple fact like a birth date can really help us place them in their own time.
There's a lot of interest, you know, in understanding the people who shaped our past. Knowing when they came into the world helps us build a clearer picture of their journey, what influences they might have had early on, and how their life unfolded within specific historical moments. It gives a bit of a personal touch to the grand narratives.
So, a question that often comes up, especially for those curious about American history, is "when was James K. Polk born?" It's a key piece of information for anyone trying to piece together the story of this particular president, and we're going to look at just that, in a way, right now.
Table of Contents
- Biography of James K. Polk
- Personal Details and Bio Data
- The Early Life of a Future President
- Why Knowing Birth Dates Matters
- Connecting Past and Present: Records and Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
Biography of James K. Polk
James K. Polk, the eleventh president of the United States, certainly left his mark during a single term in office. He was a rather determined leader, you see, who set out to achieve specific goals during his time as president and, arguably, succeeded in most of them. His presidency, which ran from 1845 to 1849, was a period of significant expansion for the United States, something many people remember him for.
During his time in the highest office, Polk oversaw the annexation of Texas, which was a pretty big deal at the time. He also, as a matter of fact, guided the nation through the Mexican-American War. This conflict ultimately resulted in the United States acquiring vast territories, including what would become California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. This expansion, often called "Manifest Destiny," was a central theme of his time in power.
But before all that, before he became president and before he even served in Congress or as Governor of Tennessee, James K. Polk was born on **November 2, 1795**. This date marks the very beginning of a life that would eventually lead him to the White House, shaping the physical size of the nation as we know it today. It's a simple fact, yet it anchors his entire story in a specific moment in time.
Personal Details and Bio Data
Here’s a quick look at some key details about James K. Polk, providing a bit more context to his life and contributions. These facts help paint a fuller picture of the man behind the presidency, you know, giving us more than just his political actions.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Knox Polk |
| Born | November 2, 1795 |
| Birthplace | Pineville, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina |
| Died | June 15, 1849 |
| Spouse | Sarah Childress Polk |
| Presidency | 11th U.S. President (1845-1849) |
| Political Party | Democratic |
The Early Life of a Future President
James K. Polk's early years, like many people of his era, were shaped by the developing American frontier. He was born in Pineville, which is in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, on that November day in 1795. His family, you see, was of Scottish-Irish descent, and they were farmers. This background gave him a connection to the land and the challenges faced by early American settlers.
When he was about 11 years old, his family made a significant move. They packed up and relocated to what was then the frontier region of Maury County, Tennessee. This move was pretty typical for the time, as families looked for new opportunities and more fertile land. It was in Tennessee that Polk would truly grow up and begin to forge his path, becoming deeply connected to the state that would later launch his political career.
Polk's health as a child was, apparently, a bit delicate. He faced some serious health issues, which were quite a challenge in those days with limited medical knowledge. Despite these early struggles, he showed a strong desire for learning. He attended various academies before enrolling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He studied law there, and, you know, he graduated with honors in 1818, which was a clear sign of his sharp mind and dedication.
After his college days, Polk returned to Tennessee and began practicing law. This legal background was a common stepping stone for many politicians of his time. He quickly became involved in state politics, building a reputation as a skilled speaker and a dedicated public servant. This early experience in local and state government really prepared him for the larger roles he would eventually take on, leading him, as it did, all the way to the presidency. His journey from a North Carolina farm to the highest office in the land is, in some respects, a very American story of ambition and hard work.
Why Knowing Birth Dates Matters
Knowing someone's birth date, especially for historical figures, gives us so much more than just a number. It provides a specific anchor point in time, helping us to really place their life within the broader sweep of history. For James K. Polk, for instance, knowing he was born in 1795 means he grew up in the early days of the United States, a young nation still figuring things out after its revolution. That context, you know, helps us understand the world he inhabited.
When we look at historical records, these dates are pretty fundamental. They help historians and researchers build accurate timelines, understand generational shifts, and even track the influence of events on a person's life. It's like putting together a big puzzle; each date is a piece that helps complete the picture. Without these precise details, our understanding of the past would be, like, much fuzzier, and it would be harder to connect events and people.
You know, when we think about how information is gathered, like for instance, the real estate assessments division in James City County keeps property information for the public, or how the clerk of the circuit court manages court records, it reminds us that details, even about a person's birth, are often carefully kept. While these specific examples from James City County relate to modern record-keeping for properties or court documents, the underlying idea of documenting important facts has always been there. For historical figures, these records might be found in old family Bibles, church registers, or official government archives from long ago. It’s all about preserving information, whether it's for land parcels or a president's birth. So, you see, having that birth date for Polk is a bit like having a very old, yet very important, record for his personal story.
It helps us, too, understand the era's social norms and challenges. What was life like for someone born in the late 18th century? What kind of education was available? What were the political ideas floating around? A birth date isn't just a number; it's a doorway into a whole historical period. It allows us to compare his experiences with those of others from different times, giving us a richer, more nuanced view of history. So, it's pretty clear why pinning down these dates is a big deal for anyone studying the past.
Connecting Past and Present: Records and Information
Thinking about how we know when historical figures like James K. Polk were born often makes us consider how information is recorded and kept over time. For someone born in 1795, the methods were, naturally, very different from today. There were no digital databases or instant online records, of course. Yet, through diligent work by historians and archivists, these vital details are still available to us, often found in old documents, letters, or family histories. It’s a testament to the effort put into preserving our collective memory.
It's interesting, isn't it? We know, for example, that LeBron James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. And James Blunt, too, came into the world on February 22, 1974, in England. These dates are pretty well-known, like, today. For historical figures, the process of documenting births was different, but records still exist. The information that is maintained on each parcel of real property in James City County, for instance, and used in the assessment process by the real estate assessment division, is available to the public. This shows a modern commitment to public information, something that, in a different form, also applies to historical records.
The GIS/mapping section of the real estate assessment division, for example, is responsible for geographic information system functions and applications, which include mapping. While this specifically relates to land, it highlights how detailed information is collected and organized for public access. Similarly, historical societies and national archives play a similar role for biographical data. They gather and preserve documents, making it possible for us to confirm dates and facts about people like James K. Polk. This continuity in the desire to record and share information, whether it's about property or people, is quite striking.
For those who want to dig deeper into the lives of U.S. presidents and other historical figures, there are many resources available. Public records, historical societies, and academic institutions have put a lot of effort into making this information accessible. You can often find detailed biographies, original documents, and even digital archives that help paint a full picture of their lives and times. It's a way, you know, to really connect with the past and understand the origins of the people who shaped our world. You can learn more about presidential history here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was James K. Polk known for?
James K. Polk is most widely known for his successful pursuit of significant territorial expansion for the United States during his single term as president. He, you know, added more than a million square miles to the nation's landmass. This included the annexation of Texas and the acquisition of vast western territories from Mexico following the Mexican-American War. He also established an independent treasury system and lowered tariffs, which were pretty important economic policies for his time.
What did James K. Polk do before he became president?
Before becoming the eleventh U.S. president, James K. Polk had a quite distinguished political career. He served multiple terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Tennessee, and even became the Speaker of the House, which is a pretty powerful position. After his time in Congress, he also served as the Governor of Tennessee. So, he had, like, a lot of experience in both legislative and executive roles before reaching the White House.
What year did James K. Polk die?
James K. Polk died on June 15, 1849, just a few months after leaving the presidency. He had, apparently, worked incredibly hard during his term, often putting in long hours and taking on immense responsibilities. His health, which was a bit delicate even in his youth, significantly declined during his time in office. His death, so soon after his presidency, was a sad end to a very impactful political career.
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