Wikipedia:Today's featured article/June 13, 2005



James K. Polk was an American politician and the eleventh President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849. Polk was born in North Carolina, but primarily lived in and represented the state of Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as Speaker of the House (1835–1839) and Governor of Tennessee (1839–1841) prior to becoming president. He is the only former Speaker of the House to become President. He is noted for his expansionist beliefs, for his pledge to serve only one term, and for becoming the first "dark horse" (a candidate who unexpectedly gains the party nomination) to win the presidency. His term is remembered for the Mexican-American War, the opening of the U.S. Naval Academy and Washington Monument, and the issuance of the first postage stamps in the United States.

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